Wonderful World of Worms

Worms in compost

Master gardener Kate Karam shares information on making an organic, odor-free compost with the help of a worm.

Odor-Free Compost

Materials:

large, rectangular rubber container
wet newspaper strips
500 red wiggler worms (available at local plant nursery)
vegetable trimmings, coffee grounds, etc. (no meat, dairy or fish products)
black garbage bag

Steps:

1. Clean container thoroughly with warm, soapy water, then rinse.

2. Punch air holes around the entire upper perimeter of the container. You can use a power drill, ice pick or a hammer and screwdriver.

3. Place long strips of wet newspaper in the container until the bottom is covered.

4. Add worms to newspaper, then toss in vegetable trimmings.

5. Cover the surface of the mixture with a piece of black plastic garbage bag. You won't be using the lid that comes with the container.

6. Keep at 55 to 70 degrees. Ideal storage locations are under the sink or underneath a tree in the shade.

7. Add organic scraps every two to three days. There's no need to dig in to the mix because the worms will pull the food down.

8. In three months, the worms will have produced finished compost.

Fast Fact

Five hundred worms can consume the organic kitchen waste of a family of four to six.

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