From the page: The tube that holds infinite possibilities
Idea 11
Countertop worm composter
Cardboard tubes are "brown carbon," the dry food that balances the wet scraps inside a composter — old farmers called this mixture "bedding." The cardboard absorbs excess moisture and, together with the worms (which eat the cardboard decomposed by microbes), turns kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich humus.
What you need
- 2 stackable pots or buckets (one with holes in the bottom, the other underneath) with lids
- Several cardboard tubes (toilet paper, paper towel or cuts from boxes)
- Red wigglers (red worms) — easy to find at fishing shops or nurseries
- Fruit scraps, vegetable peels and coffee grounds
- Scissors or craft knife
- Water in a spray bottle
How to make it
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1
Drill several 5 mm holes in the bottom of the top container — the leachate (a nutrient-rich liquid) drains through them and the worms come through later.
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2
Cut the cardboard tubes into small pieces, spritz with water until damp like a wrung-out sponge and line the bottom of the container — this is the bedding, which holds moisture at just the right level.
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3
Release the worms onto the damp bedding and wait about 3 days before feeding, so they can settle into their new home.
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4
Set aside a corner of the surface and bury small portions of vegetable scraps under the cardboard — burying prevents flies and odor, because the worms work in the dark.
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5
Always cover with a layer of dry cardboard on top after each feeding — this keeps moisture balanced and keeps insects away.
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6
Harvest the humus in 2 to 3 months, luring the worms to one side with fresh food and removing the dark fertilizer from the other side.
Finishing touches
The liquid draining into the bottom container, diluted in 10 parts water, becomes a powerful fertilizer for plants. Never add too much citrus, meat, dairy or seasoned foods — the worms prefer a simple diet of vegetables.
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