Multi-Layer Vermiculture Bin
Intro: Multi-Layer Vermiculture Bin
STEP 1: Getting Started
Materials List:
Two plastic bins, one with lid.
(You should assess how much compost you will generate on a monthly basis to determine capacity. We’ve used 15 gallon Rubbermaid bins in anticipation of expanding our system.
One tray (to place under stacked bins as liquid catchment)
*Third bin or lid can be substituted for tray
Drill and 3/8” hole bit
Two food containers i.e:) yogurt or cottage cheese containers
Approximately one quart of dried leaves or mulch from yard
Few sheets of newspaper (no color ink)
Approximately one quart of soil
Couple dozen red wigglers (Eisenia foetida)
STEP 2: Drilling Bottom Bin
STEP 3: Drilling Top/Second Bin
STEP 4: Drill a Few Air Holes
STEP 5: Set Up Containers for Support
STEP 6: Tear Recycled Newspaper
STEP 7: Spread Leaves As Second Layer
STEP 8: Spread Soil As Thrid Layer
STEP 9: Introduce Red Wigglers
STEP 10: Assemble, and Voila!
To start, the top bin will remain empty and just serve as a lid for the bottom. However, once the bottom bin’s material has been broken down, you should begin placing your kitchen scraps directly in the bottom of the second, or upper bin. Then you will want to cover this layer with soil and or mulch again to prevent the attraction of bugs and the release of unpleasant odors.The worms will naturally travel up through the holes you’ve drilled in the bottom of the bin toward the fresh food, leaving the first layer completed and worm free, ready to be used.
19 Comments
Neanow 7 years ago
How do the worms get up to the top bin?
kaishabackwards 7 years ago
So then does the newly composted dirt fall down to the bottom layer? You've explained how it's used the first time but not how you'll use it from then on...
Sonic69 8 years ago
is this for worms?
FazJaxton 14 years ago
Uncannie1 10 years ago
NEVER USE MEAT in your scraps - only vegetable scraps, coffee grounds (limit them they make acid) and egg shells (very good protein). Meat will rot and put off nasty smells, attract dogs, and other wild life, and it isn't healthy. Only naturally composting materials - vegetable scraps, leftovers (no meat), and paper (no ink unless it's biodegradable). No Plastics, No Meats, No processed foods, No Chemicals! Give your worms good food and they will produce like crazy!
kmh182 14 years ago
As far as the air hols on the bottom bin, good call. It is the intention of the design to rotate bins from top to bottom. so, yes. you should drill the same air holes in the bottom bin as well. smaller holes are alright because you dont want flies to have ultra easy access to your operations within.
hope this helps :)
mhuston1 12 years ago
Uncannie1 10 years ago
If it is your 'neighbors' dog, tell the neighbor to keep the dog out of your yard or put up a fence! I keep my compost bins in an old dog crate - which keeps them OUT rather than IN. The cage kind works great. But you could also use pallets to build a 'fence' around your bins by attaching 3 of them together and putting a hinged one on one side, or attach four together to make a box, and put the hinges on the top piece. Pallets work really well for this type of thing, you can usually find them for free, so you can build whatever you want out of them. Good luck with the neighbor's dog!
drumlin 13 years ago
ttlvsfrogs 14 years ago
peacenique 14 years ago
SvenskChef 14 years ago
Sorry, but I am a bit confused here. You say use a 3/8 inch bit for this and the next step, but from the pictures, they don't seem to be the same size. Any chance that either this one is smaller than 3/8 or the next is larger?
Cylvre 14 years ago
kmh182 14 years ago
kmh182 14 years ago
Dunhausen 14 years ago
How much food waste is acceptable to be adding to the bin?
kmh182 14 years ago
vistal 14 years ago
dimtick 14 years ago
the tray on the bottom is for collecting the liquid. a tap, instead of the tray, would be better if you want to collect the liquid into a watering can or spray bottle.