My latest adventure? Building a worm bin and delving into the mesmerizing realm of vermicompost. Join me on this ride where I prove that even with the most laissez-faire attitude, the worms still found their way to a happy, healthy home.
This project had been brewing in the back of my mind for quite some time. The idea of creating a worm composting system had always intrigued me, but it wasn’t until I attended The Great Create and had the opportunity to listen to Seth Chadwick that my inspiration reached its peak. Seth spoke passionately about the wonders of worm composting, making it seem so approachable yet filled with endless possibilities. It was the push I needed to finally give it a try.
I started out pretty haphazardly, I’ll admit. The worm bin? It was just this old, random container lingering in my carport like a forgotten extra in the background of a low-budget horror film. Lid chucked to one side, a single stray piece of duct tape clinging to its side like some odd badge of honor — the picture of chaotic perfection.
I attacked the project with an approach that was equal parts enthusiasm and disregard for meticulous planning. Grab a drill, pick the nearest bit, and voila! Swiss cheese plastic tub coming right up. You see, my modus operandi has always been that of a hacker — get it functional, make a prototype, then polish, tweak, and refine later.
With my newly ventilated bin prepped, I began concocting the perfect worm habitat. A little bit of soil, some decaying wood chips from a pile that had been lounging in my yard for nearly two years, a smidgen of compost, and a dash of cardboard.
And then the guests of honor arrived. A bag of 250 worms, delivered straight to my door courtesy of the wonderful World Wide Web. Marching out to their new domicile, I tipped the bag and let my squiggly friends loose. Some explored their new home individually while others clung together like they were belting out a rousing rendition of “We Are the World.” After settling them in, I tucked them under a layer of paper — a blanket to conserve the precious moisture in their bed.
And now, I’ve turned into something of a worm landlord, keeping a daily tab on my little composting tenants. Today’s highlight? A group of them having a hearty cardboard feast! And not just the moist bits either, but dry cardboard that looked about as appetizing as a sand sandwich. The dining preferences of worms remain an enigma to me.
I’m absolutely enamored by it all. The strange, tiny world inside my makeshift worm bin has me hooked. So here’s my challenge to you: why not dive into your own backyard project? Be it a worm bin, a chicken coop, or a kitchen garden, there’s something exhilarating about harnessing the natural world in our own unique, slightly chaotic ways. We’re hackers, tinkerers, creators — and there’s always room for one more.
More on this as I get it.
