Boulder Vermicomposting

Worm Bin Components: Bedding materials

September 27th, 2009

A key component of the redworm bin system is the bedding.  This is the carbon rich environment into which you will place the worms and the food scraps.  (This entire post is probably of interest only to the home worm keeper–industrial worm operations have different needs.)

Bedding materials need to have the following qualities:

• carbon rich; if not, then hot composting and ammoniaifcation can occur
• capable of absorbing water; as the worms like to live in a wet environment
• relatively light; for moving the bin around
• cheap; you’ll go through a lot of bedding

I’ve used the following materials successfully:

• shredded paper and newspaper
• shredded cardboard
• leaves
• paper towels
• yard waste (dried grass clippings, etc)

Each of these has their pluses and minuses, but my current favorite is leaves.  I typically will find 6-10 bags of leaves on the street in the fall.  I gather those up and use them throughout the following summer.  For an indoor bin, shredded paper might be better, as leaves introduce other insects and can mat.

Don’t be shy about adding more bedding.  Redworms (and their attendant microorganisms) will not only eat your food scraps, they’ll also break down the bedding matter.

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