How to Compost Mushrooms in Worm Beds

Prepare a 10- to 20-gallon bin for the worms. Use a box or bin that measures 1 1/2 feet deep to give the worms a long, shallow bed. Drill five to six holes in the sides of the bin to give the worms air circulation. If you're using a wooden bin, make sure that it's untreated; the chemicals used in treating wood may poison the worms.

Fill the bed 3/4 full of shredded paper. Use white paper or the black and white section of the newspaper to avoid dyes, which may poison the worms. Throw garden soil on top of the newspaper to fill the box, and mix. The paper maintains moisture in the box for the worms, while the garden soil provides grit for their digestion.

Water the bedding with 1 to 2 gallons of water to produce a moist, sticky mixture. Worms need consistent moisture to breathe, but cannot tolerate standing water. Never allow the worm bed to go dry, but don't overwater and make the bedding soupy.

Put the bin in a place where it gets good air circulation, protection from rain and adequate warmth. The worms shouldn't sit in direct sunlight, as they may dry out. Ideal locations for worm bins include garages and basements, where the worms are warm and protected. Worms require temperatures between 55 and 77 degrees F.

Feed and water the worms every couple of days. Pull the caps off the mushrooms to keep from spreading the spores, and fold the mushroom stalks into the bedding. Supplement with any other fruit- or vegetable-derived scraps, and add eggshells, coffee grounds, ash and paper goods. A well-rounded menu for the worms produces well-rounded compost, which is better for your garden. Never allow the worms to go hungry.

Water the worms every time you feed them to maintain consistent bedding moisture.

Harvest and use the compost bedding every three months. Dump the box, gather the worms and build them new bedding. Move the compost to the garden as a soil amendment, mulch or fertilizer.