Tale of Two Worm Bins

Colin and Tristan are working on the gardening merit badge. For one requirement they had to choose one of the following:

6) Do ONE of the following:
A) Build a compost bin and maintain it for 90 days.
B) Build a vermipost bin (worm compost bin) and maintain it for 90 days.
C) Build a hydroponic garden containing three vegetables or herbs, or three ornamental plants. Maintain this garden through harvest or flowering, or for 90 days.
D) Build on water garden, either in a container (at least 12 by 6 inches and 6 inches deep), or in the ground as a small, decorative pond no larger than 6 by 3 feet and 24 inches deep. Maintain the water garden for 90 days.

Before I even asked them I knew they'd choose the worms. My boys are so predictable. If it involves anything creepy crawly, messy or a living thing which they can possibly consider a new pet, well that's what they will choose.

So we went to town, well a town about 30 miles away, on Farmer's Market day and bought ourselves some worms from the worm lady. Next stop the stores for bins, peat moss, some extra newspapers. Then home to assemble the worms bins.

First the boys drilled holes both on the bottom and top of their bins for drainage and air circulation. Second they covered the holes with screen since worms are escape artists and from October these worms need to live IN the house.



Next tear up lots of newspaper.


Until your floor is covered.


Then layers or peat moss and newspaper, a little sand and worms in the middle.






Get it all nice and damp.


Play in the mud is optional but to be expected.


Take the worms out of their original container.



Playing with the worms is optional but to be expected.


Worms and mud, what more could a boy want.






Colin, they're not a toy!


Finish bin, add a compost "smoothie" the first couple days while the worms settle into their new homes.


Every 3-6 months collect worm castings and re-do their entire bin. Oh and the icky water that drains out of the bins is great for gardens too.




And they're done, The worm bins are brought outside then put into spots which are shady all day. Now the boys simply need to feed their worms suitable food peelings and left overs every couple days and keep the bins moist.