Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series that will conclude next week.

The activity: Setting up a vermiculture system for year-round composting.

Why: Vermiculture, or the cultivation of worms, is a great way to reuse food scraps and produce a great soil amendment. Worm castings (worm waste) contain higher levels of nitrogen than most other organic amendments. Worms are natural soil builders and vermicomposting is a clean and efficient method to recycle otherwise wasted food.

This activity reduces the volume added to the landfill. It requires little space and equipment. Children will be amazed at how quickly the worms work. Best of all, winter is a great time to get started on this project.

How: The principles aren’t much different from composting outside, but are modified to fit the indoor environment. Start by determining where in your home the vermicompost bin will be placed. The environment should have a temperature range of 55-77 degrees. Temperatures below 50 degrees will slow the worm-processing activities. Temperatures above 84 degrees inside the worm bin might be harmful or fatal to worms.

A basement, heated garage, storage closet or little-used bathroom might be good choices. It’s a good idea to have a water source nearby to keep the moisture content of the bin even — either adding needed water or eliminating extra liquid as the food scrapes are processed. The liquid waste produced by the worms is called “compost tea” and is a good additive for plants. Ventilation, moisture, and balanced acidity are key to maintaining the bin and will be discussed next week.

To get started, you need a bin, bedding, water, worms and food for the worms. An opaque physical structure such as a bin or container is needed to house the worms. This bin may be homemade or purchased. The size will depend on how many kitchen scraps are generated in a week. A box measuring 1-by-3-by-2 feet with about 1,000 active worms can process about 6 quart-size baggies of nongreasy food waste per week. This would be a good size for a family of 4-6. The worms will adapt to their living conditions, so there is no need for great precision when planning your box.

Containers can be made of plastic storage bins, wood, or metal tubs or pots. Do not reuse containers that have stored toxic substances. Cardboard boxes will disintegrate.

If you decide to build your own bins, make sure that your plan includes ventilation and drainage features. This can be accomplished simply by drilling holes in the top for ventilation and one hole, low down on one side, for drainage. The drainage hole will need a removable plug.

Purchased worm bins usually are made of plastic and are designed with screens for harvesting, and drainage holes with spigots for draining off compost tea. For more information on building a cheap worm bin, visit http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/easywormbin.htm.

Worms are sensitive to light and need to be kept in the dark, which is why an opaque container is recommended. Bedding also will provide a place for the worms to hide in darkness and keep moist. Once the bin is constructed and the bedding is prepared, it is time to add the worms, which can be ordered online or purchased at garden centers.

For a family of four, start with 1,000 worms. Red worms, also known as red wigglers or red hybrids (Lumbricus rebellious and Eugenia fetid), are best-suited to worm bins. They produce a large amount of compost and do better in a confined space. Worms found outdoors are not recommended.

When: Whenever you wish. Once established, it requires only weekly attention.

What’s needed: Purchased or homemade bin with a lid, which might require drilling holes, and a stopper for the drainage hole.

To learn more about vermicomposting, see http://lan caster.unl.edu/pest/resourc es/vermicompost107.shtml.

Next week: Setting up and maintaining your vermiculture system.

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When you have questions, CSU has research-based answers. Get answers to you horticultural questions by calling the Master Gardener Volunteer Help Desk at 520-7684 or emailing CSUmg2@elpasoco.com. Note: Volunteers are “on call”

during our winter hours. Please

allow 7-10 days for a response.