When D and I ordered the composter a year or so ago we had some trouble with the shipper not sending the the thing out for a month or so… After numerous emails and a few calls to Amazon’s customer support people the composter finally arrived and with it, to make up for its delay, a worm composter or vermiculture box as well.
The Vermiculture box has been sitting in the garage in its shipping box since then. Until today. D had a pond to make and since she would be going to Ace and working out in the yard I figured now was a good time to finally get the thing put together and going. Worm poo is fantastic apparently and I desperately wanted in on that action!
RANDOM FACT: Worms can eat as much as their body weight in a 24 hour period!
So while D was picking up wife a wine barrel, some fish and a papyrus plant I got some worm take-out. Once home I opened up the box and took at look at the box… Everything looks the same here… and I only have half the instructions…
So what we have there is a water, or worm tea, collection tray, the bottom feeder tray, three additional feeder trays, a lid, two weed filters, and coconut coir. Oh and a spigot for draining out the worm tea. Once I found a complete set of instructions on the manufacturer’s website it wasn’t too difficult to assembly during which I soaked the coconut coir in some water.
RANDOM FACT: Worm poo is more commonly known as worm castings and worms can eat it too! The more they eat it they better it is for whatever plants you decide to put it on. Also, GROSS!
Now to add the damp coconut coir, mixed with some potting soil and food. I put in some tomatoes, apple cores, leafy greens, and some figs. Mix it all together and then add the worms! I forgot to take a picture of everything mixed together with worms in it so you’ll have to use your imagination.
After I filled up the first feeding tray and added the worms I put on the second feeding tray and partially filled it with soil. This vermiculture system works by slowly having the worms eat their way up through the boxes and then pulling out the lower ones and emptying them before placing them back on the top of the stack. I’ve got to take care not to drown, cook, freeze, starve, or acid burn the poor beasties though so I’m sure micromanaging this all will be fun…
RANDOM FACT: Worms will eat human hair?!
Finally, with all 3 feeder in I put in the last weed filter, which keeps the worms from getting out and other things from getting in and put the lid on it and placed it by the side of the house. Where it should stay warm without getting too much direct sunlight. I suppose during the winter if it gets too cold I can bring it into the garage. The bins aren’t supposed to produce any odors.
