What can we do with our kitchen “waste” in the winter? First, realize that kitchen scraps aren’t “waste,” they are gardening gold. They can easily be turned into high quality compost using a system called vermiculture, which is a fancy word for a worm bin. Setting up a worm bin is really easy. You need a location that stays between 60 and 80 degrees; too cold and the worms won’t thrive, too warm and they may die. Commercial worm bins are available through many gardening companies or you can make your own very easily.

Here is what you need to make your own: two plastic totes (one slightly larger than the other), a couple of bricks, some window screen and a drill. The smaller tote will be the home for your worms and the larger tote will hold the smaller tote and the worm “tea.” Drill some small holes in the lid and bottom of the smaller tote and glue pieces of window screen over the holes. Place the bricks in the larger tote and rest the smaller tote on the bricks. Your worm bin is now ready for the worms!

Prepare the food for the worms. Soak some shredded black and white newspaper in water and then wring out the water. Put that in the bottom of the smaller tote. Then sprinkle in a few cups of cornmeal. Add in kitchen scraps. What you do not want to add: any citrus, onions, garlic, oils, or meat scraps. What you might want to freeze and then thaw before adding in: banana peels, melon rinds. What you do want to add: coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, veggie and fruit scraps, crushed egg shells. Obtain some red worms (not earthworms). They are available online from various websites or you can get some for free locally. Email [email protected] for sources. Add the worms to your worm bin and you are on your way to making wonderful worm compost. Check your bin at least once a week to add in kitchen scraps. If there is food left over, cut down on how much you are adding each week. If it’s all gone, add more food.

Adding in very damp shredded paper once in a while will be appreciated by your worms. If you get fruit flies, it is because you didn’t freeze the fruit peels. Adding in damp shredded newspaper will eliminate the problem. Every month or so, check the amount of worm “tea” that has collected in the larger tote. This is an outstanding fertilizer. Dilute it to about 10% before feeding it to your plants. Every three to six months or whenever your worm bin gets full, it is time to harvest the worm castings (a polite term for worm poop). This is also an outstanding fertilizer and especially loved by carrots. For more information, see “Worms Eat My Garbage” by Mary Appelhof, available in the library or email Melissa Aronson at [email protected].