These bins are designed for composting food wastes using earthworms. A high-quality compost is produced which is suitable for use on house plants and seedling transplants as well as for general garden use.
Vermicomposting can be done indoors making it an appropriate method of composting for people in apartments, as well as for people who would like to avoid trips to the backyard compost heap in winter.
1-2-3 EARTHWORM COMPOSTING BIN
This bin is sized to suit a family of four to six people generating about seven pounds of food waste each week.
MATERIALS
one - 1/2" sheet of plywood
one - 12' 2"x4"
one - 16' 2"x4"
one lb. 2" ardox galvanized nails
1/2 lb. 3-1/2" ardox galvanized nails
two galvanized door hinges
Non-toxic wood preservative
TOOLS
Tape measure
Power hand saw or rip hand saw
Hammer
Saw horses
Long straight edge or chalk snap line
Screwdriver
Drill with 1/2" bit
Use eye/ear protection and dust mask.
CONSTRUCTION
- Measure and cut the plywood. Cut the 12' 2"x4" into five pieces: two 39", two 23", and one 20" long. Nail the 2"x4"s together on edge with two 3-1/2" nails at each joint. Nail the plywood base piece onto the 2"x4" frame.
- Cut four 1' lengths out of the 16' 2"x4". Take each plywood side piece and place a 1' 2"x4" under each of its ends so the 2"x4" is flush with the top and side edges of the plywood and nail the boards into place. Nail the side pieces onto the base frame. To complete the box, nail the ends onto the base and sides. To reinforce the box make sure there is a nail staggered at least every 3 inches wherever plywood and 2"x4"s meet. Drill twenty 1/2" holes through the bottom of the box for drainage and aeration.
- To build the lid, take the remaining 12' 2"x4" and cut it into two 45" pieces and two 20" pieces and lay them flat - short pieces on the inside so that the plywood top is inset from the edges of the 2"x4" by 1-1/2" all the way around the perimeter. Nail the plywood onto the 2"x4s securely. Place the hinges on the backside of the box at either end of the 2"x4"s, and on the under side of the 2"x4" lid frame, so that the lid will stand upright when opened.
2 x 2 EARTHWORM COMPOSTING BIN
This bin will accommodate the needs of one to two people generating about four pounds of food waste each week
MATERIALS
one - 1/2" sheet of plywood
36 - 2" ardox galvanized nails
Non-toxic wood preservative
TOOLS
Same as for larger bin
CONSTRUCTION
- Cut four pieces of plywood 23-1/2" x 8" for the sides. Nail them together, overlapping at the corners.
- Cut one piece of plywood 24" x 24" for the bottom. Secure the bottom to the sides using about five nails per side. Drill twelve 1/3" holes in the bottom for aeration and drainage.
- Use a dark plastic sheet over the top of the bedding as a cover or make a lid out of the remaining plywood.
This design sheet was originally produced for the Community Composting Education Program in Seattle, Washington.
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