Building a 3 Level Worm Farm
Updated: Apr 21
Worm composting, also known as vermiculture, is a method of composting that utilizes worms to break down organic waste materials into nutrient-rich fertilizer. Red wiggler worms, also known as Eisenia fetida, are the key players in the process. These worms consume organic waste and convert it into compost through their digestive system. Building a 3-level worm composting bin is a great way to create your own worm farm and reduce your environmental impact. In this blog post, we'll go over the steps to build a worm composting bin and how to care for it.
Materials Needed:
Three plastic storage bins (18-20 gallon size)
Bedding material (shredded newspaper, cardboard, or leaves)
Organic waste materials (fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, etc.)
Choose the Right Materials
When building a worm composting bin, it's important to choose the right materials. You'll need three plastic storage bins that are 18-20 gallons in size. These bins should be made of sturdy, durable plastic that can withstand the weight of the organic material and worms inside. Avoid using bins that are made of thin or flimsy plastic, as they can crack or break over time.
Ok, let’s get into how to build your farm!
Step 1: Drill Holes Using the power drill and 1/4" drill bit, drill holes all over the bottom of 2 plastic bins you’re also going to drill one or two rows of holes around the top of the edge of the bin. These holes will allow for air circulation and drainage of excess moisture.
Step 2: Create the First Level The first level will be the bottom bin. This bin will not have any holes in it. This bin will collect your worm tea, a highly concentrated super fertilizer for your garden!
Step 3:Add the Second Level. Place the second bin on top of the first bin. Add bedding material to the bin until it's about 1/3 full. Moisten the bedding material so it's damp but not soaking wet. Add red wiggler worms to the bin, about 1 pound of worms per square foot of surface area. Once the worms are added, begin adding organic waste materials to the bin. Make sure to bury the food scraps in the bedding material so they don't attract fruit flies and other pests.
Step 4: The last bin. Add bedding material to the third bin until it's about 1/3 full just like you did the bin below it. Set everything g up just like you did in the bin below it. However, you will not add worms to this bin. When the worms consume most of the organic materials in the lower bin they will start to migrate upwards into the top bin looking for new food. When most of the worms have migrated up you can now harvest the worm casings from the middle bin and the worm tea from the lower bin.
Essentially you are done but there are quite a few things to keep in mind if you want to keep your worms happy and healthy.
1. Keep the bedding material damp but not soaking wet. Too much moisture can lead to anaerobic conditions and bad odors. The bedding material is the environment in which the worms live and work. It's important to keep it moist but not soaking wet. Too much moisture can lead to anaerobic conditions and bad odors. If the bedding material feels dry, add water. If it feels too wet, add dry bedding material. A good rule of thumb is to keep the bedding material as damp as a wrung-out sponge.
2. Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods to the bin. These can attract pests and cause bad odors. Stick to fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and other organic matter. It is safe to apply the same rules you would apply to a regular hot composting bin. The things that would be your greens in a regular compost bin will be the worm's food. The things that would be your “browns” in a compost bin will become the worm's bedding. Although the worms will eat almost anything out I. Front of the. This is a great way to keep your system healthy. You’ll also want to avoid adding a lot of citrus fruits and onions, as they can be too acidic for the worms.
3. Make sure to bury food scraps in the bedding material to prevent fruit flies and other pests. This will also help to distribute the food scraps evenly throughout the bin. Simply add the food scraps to the bin and cover them with a layer of bedding material.
4. Red wiggler worms prefer temperatures between 55-77°F. Keep the bin in a cool, shady location, such as a basement or garage. Avoid placing the bin in direct sunlight or extreme heat. If the bin gets too hot, the worms may die.
5. Harvest the Compost Regularly. Once your bin is established it is important to check on it regularly as well as feed and harvest.
Keeping your worm composting bin healthy and productive is easy if you follow these simple guidelines. By maintaining the right moisture levels, avoiding certain foods, burying food scraps, keeping the bin in a cool location, and harvesting the compost regularly, you'll be on your way to creating nutrient-rich soil for your plants in no time. Building a 3 level worm composting bin is a simple and effective way to create your worm farm and reduce your environmental impact. With a little care and attention, your worm composting bin will provide you with nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden and help reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfills.