Worm Box Set-up

I finally had time to open up the box, read the instructions and assemble the worm bin about two weeks after I received it. 

The box was securely fastened with giant copper plated staples, Here’s what was inside the box, first the lid, then directly under was the collection tray, a paper bag containing the nuts, bolts, and drain pipe. And, a paper bag with shredded newspaper and a brick of dirt. All the Trays were nested in the bottom of the box. 

I followed the instructions of putting it together pretty well from the instruction booklet. At first I wasn't sure where that handle went until I saw the hole in the lid (where it says "The Worm Box".

Adding the screws was interesting since there wasn't an obvious place to attach them, but it did say "place them in opposite corners a few squares from the edge. Twist bolts by hand through aligned grids. Attach nuts until secure". It did fit amazingly well!

adding the bolts

adding the nuts on the underside 

Adding the "drain pipe" which I like to call the spigot. The handle went on nicely too.

making sure the spigot didn't leak from the collection tray

 I found a place out of the sun and under the eaves to place the box, to make it easier to use, I set it up on top of an old square wooden planter box next to the chicken coop.

getting ready to mix the "coir brick" with water until it felt like wet coffee grounds

mixing

Adding the cardboard bottom layer as Bill from the Eugene Backyard farmer suggested. This cardboard was the original nesting box for my chickens so it is way dirty and broken down from laying in the coop all winter in the weather. I soaked it good before placing it in.

the layer of the choir

Adding the worms I purchased from Bill at the Eugene Backyard Farmer

detail of my new pets

Adding in a "handfull" of scraps to get them started, pinto beans, a bad black banana and some egg shells

It said to add them in one corner, so I picked the front corner

adding the shredded paper layer

topping it off with more wet cardboard (even though it suggests a  layer of moist  folded whole newspaper)

The lid is on. I'll be back to check on it in three days to see they are eating the food waste.

Here's why to compost with worms

Worms from the Eugene Backyard Farmer

Bill's Worm Box at the backyard farmer

description of his worm box.

Worm Box Arrives!

I found out about Lane County's fabulous worm box offer at www.lanecount.org/Compost

The Nature's Footprint Worm Box is a less-expensive variation of their enormously popular best-selling Worm Factory® composter, making it more affordable for individuals and small families. It is gray, not green as the commercial version is. It's compact size is perfect for garage, kitchen or outside use. I have 3 chickens at home, and a family of three, so most of the good stuff goes to the chickens. I assume egg shells, banana peels, and beans, salsa, and other items the chickens don't eat will end up in my worm bin. The bin comes with shredded paper, coir brick, a booklet with instructions and the lid has quick tips. 

To sign up for your worm bin visit: http://www.createcompost.com/

To see one of these in action, visit the Eugene Backyard Farmer on 5th and Washington in Eugene, OR.

I recommend selecting the purchase option without worms and using local options to aquire worms.

Local Worm Suppliers: Call to confirm availability and price

Big Boy Worm Farm

Eugene, 541-954-7144, www.bigboyworms.com, 3lb min.

EPM Inc. Bruce Elliot

Cottage Grove, 541-767-2747

www.wormwigwam.com 5lb min.

Eugene Backyard Farmer Bill Bezuk

541-485-FARM (3276), www.eugenebackyardfarmer.com

Dan "the worm man" Jaggers

Eugene, 541-434-9331

Bud Jones

Eugene, 541- 343-6422

Debra Longstreth

Veneta, 541-935-5140, cell: 541-729-3803

Skinner City Farm (not for profit)

Eugene, 541-344-8322

www.skinnercityfarm.wordpress.com

Three Trees Farm Chris Boissevain

Cottage Grove, 541-942-9033, www.redwiggler.com

Other options include:

Red wiggler or composting worms naturally colonize debris piles in most gardens. Check the bottom of a winter compost pile, decaying leaf piles or animal manure piles (such as horse manure,alpaca or chicken). Ask a friend to let you scavenge their compost pile. It doesn’t take many red wigglers to get a worm bin going! They will multiply rapidly in ideal conditions! Do NOT use nightcrawlers—they do not survive in a worm bin.

More details about the worm box: http://naturesfootprintinc.com/municipal-worm-bins