Worm Compost Bin (DIY)

I went on Pinterest and I pinned, then later read a LOT of Pins about building a worm compost bin.  They are all basically the same info, with some minor differences.  But I will say one thing that bugged me.

'DIY compost bin for only $5!'  'Build your own worm compost bin for under $15!'

There were more titles along those lines…yes, the building materials can be that low…but the worms are right around $30 (unless you know someone with a worm compost bin who will give you some of their worms).

I personally think if you are going to say how cheap something is, you should include all expenses, yes, worms included.

With that being said, my worm compost bin cost right around $45, probably closer to $47.

Let me start by saying you can do a smaller bin (like I did) or a bigger bin.  The bigger then bin, the heavier it will be, which can be a factor when you are ready to harvest your compost.  That will also effect your price.  I went with 10 gallon rubbermaid bins I bought at walmart for just under $5 each.  You can do 1, 2 or 3 bins.  I personally did 3.  Some people do 1, and put a lid under it to catch any drippings (liquid you can add to water and put right into the garden).  Others will do 2 containers…they will have 1 on the bottom to catch any liquid, and then the one on top with the worms.  Then there are those that are like me, who do 3 bins.  The 3rd bin is set up like the other one that will hold worms…when the 1st bin is done, you put the other bin on top and the worms will slowly move to that bin.  Once they've all moved over you can take the middle bin out and use all your compost without having to go through it and removing your worms.  I'm all about the easier option!

So I bought 3 10 gallon rubbermaid bins for just under $5 each al Walmart.    Then I bought 4 pieces of PVC at Lowe's for $.60 each to set in the bottom bin so I could raise up the compost bin.  Finally I ordered my worms online.  I did a google search and compared prices at a few different places.  The cheapest for me was www.redworms.com (but it seems they are still a part of Uncle Jim's worm farm, cause that's what all my packaging said!).  I bought 1 pound of worms, and it was $30.98 (change part may be a tad bit off, but pretty sure that was it).  Oh yes…you need to uy Red Wiggler worms, not night crawlers or anything like that.  So just over $45.

I'll share some pictures, and tell you what I did :)

The first thing I did was drill 20 1/4 inch holes into the bottom of Bin 1.  You want to make sure you have holes in the lost points so any excess water will drip out.

Then I used a 1/16 inch drill bit to drill holes along the top for ventilation.  For both sets of holes I saw reports of people using different sizes, so you can choose different size holes if you'd like.  I put these holes about an inch apart all around the top.

Finally I drilled some holes in the lid too (you only need to do this with 1 of the lids, it's the only lid you will need to use)

Do the same steps to bin 2, so it'll be ready to g when you need it.

Then you stack bin 1 into the base and you are ready to go!!

I cut up a bunch of newspaper, then you want to get it wet.  Not soaking wet, you don't want it to be dripping.  I rang mine all out by hand, then I fluffed it out as I put it into the bin.  You'll want to put 3-4 inches in there.  The paper keeps th worms wet, but they'll eat it too, and it gives them some place to hide, which is why you want to fluff it out some, so they can move through it easily.  Then I threw some dirt on the top of the newspaper, they need grit to help them digest their food.

Then I added in my worms!!  I included the peat moss they had been packed in.  You want a 2 parts 'brown' (paper, leaves, grass, etc) to 1 part 'green' (table scraps)

Then I added in some of my kitchen scraps I had been saving for them.  You don't want to give them too much to start, so I only put in some, even though I  have a ton saved for them.

Then you want to put some more wet newspaper on top.  The newspaper on top protects them, and will also prevent fruit flies, because the food is covered.  I also added some grass, since Josh had mowed yesterday.  Then I took a piece of cardboard, I wet down 1 side of it and put it all on top to protect everything.  Eventually the worms will eat it too.

Then I was done!!  When ready to set up your next bin (after this one is full of the black gold) you'll add the newspaper and food etc then take the lid off the other bin, put the new bin on top, and they will go through the holes up into the new bin.


It was super quick and easy to set up.  I can't wait to see how my worms do, and to use their castings in my garden!!!

Adventures in Gardening!

It's Spring time, which means it's time to start the garden again.  I learned a lot last year and I know I still have more to learn.  This year we added in a second raised bed.  We had bought enough wood last year for 2 beds, so we already had the wood and the black lining for another one.  My hubby put it together back in March.

Everything is planted, except for the pumpkins, we have to wait til summer time for them.  We're growing cherry tomatoes, early girl tomatoes, brandywine tomatoes, mojito mint, cilantro, oregano, spaghetti squash, pickling cucumbers, watermelon, wax beans, onions, garlic, silver queen corn, sweet corn, jalapeño peppers, cayenne peppers, banana peppers, red sail lettuce, romaine lettuce, parris island lettuce, spinach, kale, dill, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, red potatoes, and okra.  We also still have sage and rosemary from last year.  Our Strawberries came back, and of course the blackberries, blueberries, and grapes and looking great.  We even have a few raspberry canes.

Here are some pictures of all our pretty things!

I will update how the garden is doing as the growing season continues.  I am so excited for everything we are growing.

Stay tuned for my upcoming blog post about my DIY Worm Compost Bin that I am working on!!  I can't wait for my worms to get here!

Gardening Exploits

After my post I'll have a bunch of pictures for you to browse!  We made a lot of progress on the garden the last few weeks.  We bought all the wood and put it together, picked out a place and got it all set up. It took 16 bags of soil to fill that sucker!  We put some of the black cloth across the bottom to stop weeds, and we put chicken wire across the bottom too to hopefully stop moles and gophers.

I also got my half a Jack Daniels Whiskey barrel for my potatoes!  I got those planted too, waiting for them to grow.  I also got a plastic container to grow my carrots in, Aislinn helped me plant some carrot seeds too.  Those are both outside by the garden.

I did a bunch of research on square foot gardening, and then I sat down and planned out my garden using what I planned to plant, and I also looked up companion gardening to make up my list too. It took me a bit to figure out how I wanted to do it all, but I am pretty happy with what I came up with.

I bought some broccoli, cauliflower, romaine lettuce and red sail lettuce to put in the garden.  I was able to plant the Cauliflower and Broccoli today, but didn't get any pictures because it started to rain.  of course because it started to rain I was unable to plant the lettuce's or the onion bulbs that I also bought.  Hopefully I will be able to get all those in tomorrow.  Then in about a week I'll transplant my spinach and kale that I started as seeds a few weeks ago.

 Building the Frame

 Frame is done!

 Weed protector.

 Chicken Wire!

 Starting to fill it with soil.

16 bags later!

 After I put up my grid!

Close up of the grid.

 My potatoes ready to be covered with dirt!

Ready to grow!

 My sweet Aislinn, watering the carrot container.

Aislinn planting carrot seeds!

My garden plan!

I'm excited for the coming weeks.  I have a list that tells me when to plant different things for my area.  April is going to be a huge planting month for me!  I can't wait!  Anyone else starting a garden, or maybe trying out a container garden?  Are you excited to get it all started?