Worms in my kitchen?

[MommaGreenBean]

We're moving to the city (no more chickens... it's a rental... not a possibility at all) and I'm thinking about getting worms to feed my kitchen scraps to. I know some people keep them in some sort of container in their kitchen. Have any good worm info for me?

Some questions

What size container? Can I get by with a 16-quart sweater box? We have a small kitchen

Can I just use bait worms?

Do I need to put dirt in there to start with?

What all can be given to them?

[notwonamesalike]

Originally Posted by MommaGreenBean

We're moving to the city (no more chickens... it's a rental... not a possibility at all) and I'm thinking about getting worms to feed my kitchen scraps to. I know some people keep them in some sort of container in their kitchen. Have any good worm info for me?

Some questions

What size container? Can I get by with a 16-quart sweater box? We have a small kitchen

Can I just use bait worms?

Do I need to put dirt in there to start with?

What all can be given to them?

I'm not sure how to do the rubbermaid/kitchen vermicomposter. We have ours outside, and it has been in the garage before. It's a large cedar box 2x2x3.

You need to use redworms. Night crawlers are not the right type of worms. If you go on craigslist or google worm composting you should be able to find some in your area. They'll be about 15-20 bucks for around a 1000 or so.

No need for dirt, although they'll do better if you have some decomposing compost for them to start out in. They also need nesting material. Shredded newspaper or cardboard toilet paper rolls work well.

We feed our worms all our produce scraps/dead plant leaves/some grass/tea bags/coffee grinds/egg shells/dryer lint/etc.

Here's a picture of my composter.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g/HPIM1441.jpg

[MommaGreenBean]

Originally Posted by notwonamesalike

No need for dirt, although they'll do better if you have some decomposing compost for them to start out in. They also need nesting material. Shredded newspaper or cardboard toilet paper rolls work well.

Thanks. Do you know if you can use straw? I think we have some straw left from the chickens.

[notwonamesalike]

I don't see why you couldn't.

Anything organic should break down. I would stay away from pet waste like poop though.

[MommaGreenBean]

Thanks! I'm excited Yours looks good. I'd worry about critters getting into it outside, or attracting all the neighborhood animals, at least.

Going to google for the rubbermaid ones

[Raw Vegan Mama]

Wisdom of the Moon has great posts on worms! This is my one and only goal this spring -- to get some worms and start the worm bin!

[beansricerevolt]

There are loads of info in digging in th earth. Do a search and they'll come up

[4clothkiddos]

worm bin in house

I actually purchased a ready made one with a spout in the bottom section to pour off the liquids that collect. (great to pour on house plants) It works great and has 5 or 6 trays which make it easy to carry to the garden and empty. I know it was more expensive, but it is convenient and even my kids can maintain it.