November 12, 2008

Kind of Trashy

How to Make a Worm Bin Compost

Spitting peas into your napkin was once your preferred method of dinner disposal. Show Mother Nature you’ve matured by making your own compost bin instead.

You’ll need:
2 Rubbermaid bins, fourteen inches deep
Drill
1-inch drill blade-type drill bit
O-ring hose washer
¾-inch-by-½-inch male hose adapter
Teflon plumbers tape
Metal hose spigot
¼-inch drill bit
10 1-inch screened louvered vents
2-inch cup-type drill bit
2 2-inch screened louvered vents
Measuring tape

1. On the first bin, drill a 1-inch hole in the center of a narrow side 1½ inches from the bottom.

2. Push the o-ring onto the very end of the male hose adapter (smutbrain) and wrap the end in tape.

trashy! 3. Stick the male hose adapter through the one-inch hole from the inside of bin.

4. Screw the spigot (placed in the closed position) onto the male hose adapter.

5. Turn the second bin upside down and drill twenty ¼-inch holes for drainage.

6. Turn bin two on its side and drill five 1-inch holes along the top edge (about 1¾ inches from the top and 3 inches from each other).

7. Repeat on the other side of bin two.

8. Fill the ten holes with the 1-inch vents (keep them flush with the outside wall).

9. On bin two’s lid, drill two 2-inch holes for the 2-inch vents.

10. Lay the lid lightly on bin two and stack it inside bin one.

11. Add carbon-rich material (damp newspapers, wood shavings) and a handful of worms to bin two.

12. Toss in plant-based foods and let the slimy critters go to town.

13. Add compost to your garden or donate it to a P-Patch (aw).

Intimidated? So were we. For detailed plans, illustrations, and composting tips, click here. Or buy a ready-made worm bin at Seattle Tilth’s offices, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North, suite 120 (206-633-0451 or seattletilth.org).