Environment Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my own worm system?
Yes, you can make your own system by buying a suitable plastic container. This should have a well fitting lid, holes drilled along the base to allow excess water and organic leachate to come out of the bin, be big enough for your needs (60-90 litres), strong enough to take occasional knocks and the weight of the compost, and allow for relatively easy emptying once the bin is full.An ordinary black plastic rubbish is ideal.
Making the worm bin:
- Drill holes near the bottom of the bin to allow any excess water to escape.
- Put some gravel in the bottom to allow for drainage
- Place a sheet of perforated heavy-duty plastic on top of the gravel
- Put a layer of 'bedding' on top of the plastic for the worms. This can be one of or a mixture of the following materials: moist leaf mould, moist shredded paper, strawy manure, rotted compost.
- Finally add the brandling/tiger worms on top of the bedding. These can be obtained from any of the suppliers listed below (expect to pay approx. Euro 50), fishing tackle shops, heaps of rotting farm manure or working compost heaps. If you know of someone who has a wormbin, maybe they have enough to spare to get you started. You will need at least 250 gms to begin.
- Finally, cover the worms with a sheet of wet newspaper. This acts to retain moisture and heat.
A bin of this construction would be enough for the waste of a 2-person household and is an ideal way to get a feel for how to vermicompost at the start. Once you have got the hang of the process you can add additional bins or scale up to larger containers.
