How to: Setting up a Vermicompost Pit

Below are the steps to set up a vermicompost unit at home/ in school. These are the steps we followed at Fr. Agnel's, under the instruction and guidance of Elijah De Souza.

Step 1

Choose an existing pit/ dig a new pit or buy a vermicompost bag. If you're digging a pit or using an existing one, make sure that the bottom of the pit is covered. This is to ensure that the earthworms will not escape into the ground. We used a large piece of old flex for this purpose.


Step 2

Cover the base with coconut shells, placed face-down. This creates air pockets for the earthworms to breed. 


Step 3

Make a mixture with cow dung slurry and dried leaves, and place it over the coconut shells


Step 4

Cover this layer with a thick later of dried leaves (around 1ft) 


Step 5

Add a layer of the cow dung slurry on top


Step 6

Repeat steps 4 & 5 until the pit is full. You can even continue layering until the pit is heaped. But make sure that the last layer is the cow dung slurry. 


Step 7

Cover the pit with jute sacks. This is to ensure that rodents will not dig into the pit and eat the earthworms once they are added. 


Step 8

Water the sacks everyday for 4-5 days, and make sure to keep the pit moist. This is done to let the heat from the cow dung escape before adding the earthworms. 


Step 9

Dig a shallow hole, and place a handful of earthworms in it. Cover the hole. Repeat this process at regular intervals, keeping 1-2ft between each hole. We made 3 holes for our pit. Any earthworms can be used, but we used the Red Wriggler or Eisenia fetida species, which is very efficient at breaking down the materials in the pit. After adding the earthworms, make sure to replace the jute sacks, and place something heavy over them for added protection. We added coconut tree leaves. 

Step 10

Wait for a few weeks, and your vermicompost will be ready! You can strain it to remove the remaining debris and earthworms. It can now be used to keep your garden happy! 



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