I have a worm bin. I toss in kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, old veggies and yard waste. The worms break it down REALLY fast. I bought my bin (Can O' Worms), but there are lots of simple plans on the web to make your own. It makes super organic fertilizer.

You can get the red wiggler worms from any bait shop for just a few bucks. They multiply quickly. Don't get nightcrawlers because some are imported from up north, be sure to get worms that live in our climate. You can gather them yourself if you have the patience.

I have had red wigglers for a few years. They are quite easy to keep, don't smell (if kept properly), and produce super compost. The tea is amazing for plants. I highly recommend pureeing the raw food scraps you feed to the worms. This speeds up the turn-over rate and reduces the odor causing factors. After a while you'll be gifting stocked worm bins to your gardening friends.

I have had worm bins for several years. Tried the store bought plastic one but they tended to run too wet for my mixtures. I use anything from the kitchen table scraps except meat or dairy products.

My bins are made from one 12 foot peice of hardy plank cut into 4 three foot peices to form the perimeter. Piece of 1/2 in cdx ply for the bottom. Ply lid and sometimes use black plastic on top of the pile if it is running too dry. I get coffee grounds from Panera Bread and strip old news papers, I keep two of these bins operating. I built a worm separator because found it too tedious to separate by hand. Google "DIY worm separator" for a number of different plans. Mine is built from one 5 gal plastic bucket and a piece of 1/4 in hardware cloth.

I use the "poop" when transplanting and to make a tea.

I have 2 Can-O-Worm bins. Actually, I look forward to the worm tea the most because I use it (diluted), mixed with other nutrients, as a foliar drench or spray. They are in my back porch which is very shady and protected from the elements.

I have just started some vermicompost bins underneath my rabbit hutches. They are 6ft x 2 ft.

I had a small worm bin but I think I fed them too much because it didn't work out. Then I made a worm sack outo felt and built a holder for it. I bought red wigglers, and started my bin. But I forgot about it because it was away from the house, so they either crawled out or died. Thus buying my poop!

I put cardboard down on the ground and cover it with leaves or grass clippings. Then when I want worm poop, I move the cardboard and wait a day or so for the worms to move. Probably not the purest worm poop but you can't beat it for the effort.

~dianne

Bernie --- Interested in setting up my own worm bin. Former source for castings has dried up. I live in Port St Lucie and would like to drop over and see your vermicomposter.

Hi Bananimal,

feel free to drop over any time. just give me a shout at 466 6701 and I will tell you how to find me. Not really PSL because I am west of 95.

Dan, give me a call if you see this before bridge trip next time. I some how failed to get your phone number.

bernie