Free Garbage Disposal and Potting Soil

I'm not really a "Greenie" or environmentalist or such like that...but I am, most of all, Cheap, and also I enjoy unique, out of the ordinary things, that not everyone else is doing. So when I first read about worm composting (aka vermicomposting), I knew that was something we'd be interested in.

We have worms all over the yard here; whenever we'd move the garbage can or pick up a rock, or when it rains they come out on the driveway. The boys go out and dig them up when they're going fishing.

With worm composting, I realized I could put those worms to work.

Some of you may know that I am slightly paranoid. I don't throw papers or mail with our names on it in the garbage can. We got a shredder, but apparently indentity theivers can put the pieces back together like a jigsaw puzzle. So even after shredding the stuff, we'd save it up until a day we could get out and burn it.
Well, worms love to eat shredded papers.

They also love to eat kitchen scraps like used tea bags, coffee grounds and filters, egg shells, fruit and vegetables.
I keep a plastic Publix shortening can I washed out to put scraps in:

This also brings back pleasant memories for me of summers spent on my Great-Grands farm, when they'd throw food scraps in a bucket to take out to the hog pen. Bonus! lol

And then they like yard scraps, like dead leaves and grass clippings.

When they finish eating all this stuff, you get a bin full of Free, organic potting soil.

You don't need a big yard to have a worm composter; I read that some people even keep theirs on their kitchen windowsill or table. I don't think I could do that, but a back porch or patio would be suitable. They really don't stink as long as you put the right stuff in them.

This website tells you about how to make a worm composter using some Rubbermaid tubs. Easy and clean.
Worm Composting

This book, "Worms Eat My Garbage" is what got me started with my worm composting.
Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Set Up and Maintain a Worm Composting System

You can also order worms from online, if you don't have any to dig up or a bait shop nearby (Walmart usually keeps them in their Sporting Goods section):