Vermi-composting is a compost process that relies on earthworms and microorganisms to help convert organic materials (such as food scraps) into a valuable soil amendment and source of plant nutrients. In addition to being a great way to recycle organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, it can be done indoors, making it perfect for people with limited outdoor space or those who want to compost year-round.
You can use a commercial vermiculture bin or create your own. A simple storage container (plastic or wooden) works well. The bin should be around 12-18 inches deep to provide enough space for the worms to move around. Make sure your bin has ventilation holes for airflow. The best worms for vermiculture are red wigglers, which thrive in organic material and are good at processing kitchen waste. You can buy them online or at local garden centers. Worms need bedding to live in and to help with the decomposition process. Common bedding materials include shredded newspaper, cardboard, coconut coir and shredded leaves. The bedding should be moist but not too wet. The worms will eat most kitchen scraps, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, crushed shells and tea bags. Avoid citrus, meat, dairy and oily foods as these can be harmful to worms.The bin should be kept moist (like a wrung-out sponge). Too much water can cause the worms to drown, while too little water can cause the bedding to dry out.
Check out this video as a guideline for the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=iTfhjVMyXa4 .
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