DIY In-Ground Worm Bed: Boost Your Garden’s Health Naturally
Creating an in-ground worm bed is a sustainable and effective way to enrich your soil and dispose of organic waste. Here’s a detailed guide on how to set up your own worm bed:
Step 1: Selecting the Location
Choose a cool, sheltered spot in your garden. It should be accessible yet out of direct sunlight to maintain the ideal environment for the worms.
Step 2: Building the Frame
Construct the frame using 8x8x16 concrete blocks, stacked two high without mortar. Leveling the blocks is recommended for stability. Alternatively, for a smaller worm pit, you can simply dig a rectangular or square pit in the ground.
Step 3: Preparing the Pit
For an in-ground worm pit, mark off an area of about 3′ x 6′ and dig 18″ – 36″ deep. This depth allows for a larger population of worms and more compost.
Step 4: Lining and Filling the Pit
Shore up the sides of your pit with wooden boards or landscape fabric to prevent caving in or invasive roots. The base of the pit should be lined with landscape fabric, allowing for air and water flow, yet preventing worms from escaping. Fill the bottom of the worm bed with either corrugated cardboard or soaked newspapers.
Step 5: Adding Bedding and Worms
Fill the pit with suitable bedding for the worms, such as moistened shredded paper, cardboard, leaves, or mulch. The bedding should be damp but not wet. Add red wiggler worms, which are effective composters and ideal for worm beds.
Step 6: Feeding the Worms
Worms thrive on fruit and vegetable scraps, soft plant material, and coffee grounds in moderate amounts. Avoid adding citrus, eggs, dairy products, meat, oily foods, diseased plants, or weeds that have gone to seed. Fresh grass clippings should be dried out before adding to prevent overheating.
Step 7: Maintaining the Worm Bed
Regularly check the moisture level, ensuring it’s akin to a wrung-out sponge. Cover the worm bed with old lumber, a tarp, or plywood to protect it from the elements and keep it moist. The cover also blocks light, which worms prefer, and keeps out larger pests.
Step 8: Harvesting the Compost
After a few months, you will have rich vermicompost ready for use. You can harvest the compost by removing the contents and sifting through to separate the worms from the compost. Replenish the bed with new bedding and food scraps to continue the cycle.
This worm bed will not only provide you with nutrient-rich compost for your garden but also contribute to a sustainable ecosystem in your backyard. Happy vermicomposting!
