The VermiHut Compost Bin is our preferred worm composter and comes with a step-by-step user manual to help you set up your bin. With any kind of composter you will need the following:
- Compost bin- clean and ready to use
- Bedding material- you can use readily available shredded cardboard and paper, however if you wish to avoid chemicals, we highly recommend using coconut coir, a more natural and ecological bedding. Please go to Our Store to purchase.
- Soil- at least 3 or 4 handfuls
- Organic matter- in the form of kitchen scraps. Please check the list of food your worms will enjoy on our Caring for your Worms page.
- Before installation, carefully select the location of your bin. It should be away from traffic and vibrations.
- Soak all of the coconut coir in a bucket of water until it breaks apart and then squeeze out as much water as you can. Bedding should be damp but not wet.
- Mix the damp coconut coir with the soil and the damp shredded paper to create your bedding. Bury a handful of food scraps within the bedding mixture. Add enough bedding to make a 3-inch layer in the first working tray. Always put the coconut fibre mat as the last layer. Set aside the remaining trays and place the lid on top of the first working tray.
- Letting the system sit without adding worms for a week to ten days is recommended. Otherwise, ask us to add food with your worms before we ship them to give them something to eat while your system matures.
You are now ready to add your worms! - When the worms arrive, remove the coconut fibre mat and place them onto the bedding. They will quickly disappear under the surface. To help your worms adapt to their new environment, leave the coconut fibre mat and the lid off and place your bin in a well-lit area for the first 24 hours to encourage the worms to move down to the bottom tray. After the first 24 hours, keep the lid and the coconut fibre mat on at all times, only opening the lid for feedings.
Note: Don’t expect your worms to be at 100% of their productivity for the first month. Worms may take a week or two to adapt to their new environment. Be careful with the quantity of food that you give them.
