You can transform your home food waste along with other natural materials into rich soil fertilizers. This process is called worm composting. It's a simple process that can be done comfortably at your home. The materials used in this procedure are usually available, and it doesn’t take much effort to create your own worm farm.
### Why Worm Composting?
Worm composting is an easy way to produce manure or fertilizers for your plants and garden. Worms have the ability to convert food scraps and organic waste into nutrient-rich soil fertilizers. A great advantage of this method is that it doesn't require a large backyard for a compost bin. Even condos and apartments can compost. Additionally, this can be done all year round since the process is possible both indoors and outdoors.
### How is it Done?
Simply add food waste into a container filled with moistened bedding and worms, and the contents will eventually turn into valuable compost. The worms eat the food scraps, and as it passes through their bodies, it gets transformed into compost. The worms excrete the compost as their waste. All you need is a wooden or plastic container, red worms, moist newspaper shreds or leaves, and food waste, preferably vegetables and fruits.
### Things to Consider While Worm Composting
As the process is very simple, you can produce a lot of soil fertilizers for your houseplants, garden, or patio. Worm composting is also practiced by students of agriculture. It doesn't require many materials, and they are easily obtainable.
#### Container
Ideally, use a wooden container as it is more absorbent and a better insulator for the worms. It's better to use smaller containers since they will be easier to lift and move. The size of the container depends on the volume of food waste—one pound of food waste will require 1 square foot of surface area. Drill holes according to the size of the container, typically 8-10 holes at the bottom for airways and drainage. Keep the container on bricks or wooden blocks for ventilation.
#### Bedding
Use moist newspaper shreds, cardboards, or leaves. Make sure you moisten the bedding before use, as worms need a moist environment.
#### Worms
Preferably use red worms or red wigglers. Use about 2 lbs (approximately 2000 worms) for 1 pound of food waste.
#### Food Waste
You can use fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, or tea bags. Avoid using meats, oily foods, and dairy products because they might smell and attract pests.
If you keep these points in mind, you will be successful in worm composting. Maintaining your worm bin is also very important. Add food waste after about two and a half months. Separate the worms from the compost; otherwise, the worms will die. The easiest way is to move the finished compost to one side and place fresh bedding in the space created. Then put food scraps on the bedding. The worms will move towards the bedding, and you can skim off the finished compost.