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Worm-Composting Creates Great Humus
Turn kitchen scraps into gold by worm-composting with worm-bins.
For nutrient rich humus, composting worms is a project you may definately want to try.
We generate so much kitchen waste, why not put it to
good use? Earth-worms can generate a ton of worm castings
and worm tea that is excellent for your garden.
It doesn't take much in the way of supplies to become
involved with vermiculture, which is the correct title
given to the world of worm compost. You need a few simple
supplies to get started at it.
Who knows? You may want to get involved in worm farms
and raising worms for sale.
You need bedding for the worm beds, water, kitchen
scraps, and worm-bins or containers of some kind.
Bins can be made out of wood, but plastic storage
containers are a good idea. They are readily
available, and they come in a variety of sizes.
Containers should be no deeper than 1 foot. Any
more than that, and a smell could develop. They
can be 2 feet in width, and as much as three feet
in length. Be sure to drill some holes in the
bottom to allow liquids to drain, and for the
air to be able to circulate underneath. It would
be wise to have the bin elevated up off of the
ground as well.
The drippings from the bottom is where the worm tea
will come from, so be sure to collect it in a tray
or pail.
Bedding for worm-composting has be kept full of
moisture. Shredded newspaper is perfect, as is
thin computer paper. No matter what size of the
bin, the bedding should fill 2/3 of the box.
This is where the worms will live.
Before the worms are placed inside, water down
the bedding thoroughly, and then remove the
excess moisture. Fluff it up, and add the
worms.
The red worm is the best. They can be
purchased at bait shops, and are suited to
existing in bins. Most other types of worms
need different environments to survive.
We had relatives years ago who kept worm
bins and they were sold commercially.
This is not the same thing I know, but
I always remember as a kid seeing the
bins piled sky-high in a walk-in cooler
in the basement. Temperature was very
important, and for good reason depending
upon the kind of worms they were raising.
Once you have the worm bedding ready, scatter a number
of worms over top. Let them burrow down into it,
and then scatter your kitchen waste over top. The
worms will come to the surface to feed.
GOOD KITCHEN WASTE
crushed egg shells
coffee grounds
vegetable and fruit peelings
tea bags
starches
Some people even throw in very minimal amounts
of fat and meat. Some think it should be avoided
altogether. Personally, I would keep those items
to a minimum.
This Video on Worm Composting
is courtesy of "The Compost Guy"
at Youtube, and he knows his stuff.
Take a look.
As the worms digest the scraps, worm castings
will form. They can be gathered by hand and
scattered over potted plants and/or mixed with
potting soil. You can work them into your flower
or vegetable gardens, and you can never use too
much. These castings are the "gold" you are
looking for as the result of your worm compost efforts.
As the castings are removed, add more damp bedding.
Remember, the worms are digesting this bedding as
well, and it must be replaced. It serves as their
protection from the light. Worms are extremely
light-sensitive.
Tips to Producing Good Worm-Composting Results
Provide Good Ventilation
Do Not Close the Lid on a Plastic Container
Have a Lid on an Outdoor Wooden Container
Catch the Liquid that Seeps Out and Fertilize with it
Add Scraps Slowly
If Odor is Detected, Cut Back on Scraps
Use More Vegetables and Less Fruit
Temperatures Cannot be Below Freezing
Temperatures Should Not go Above 72F
Keep Your Worms "In The Dark"
Do Not Treat Your Worm-Compost as a Garbage Can for "Anything"
Do Not Add Garden Soil
Do Not Add Manure
Do Not use Insecticides; Insecticides Will Kill the Worms
Worm Composters are not Litter Boxes - Ammonia Kills
Lastly, there are some pests that would not be good for
your bins. You certainly do not want ants or fruit flies
to name a few, near your worm composter. You can purchase
traps to place around your worm-bins.
Your Nursery Garden staff, or anyone associated with
Vermiculture are sure to be able to assist you.
Keep in mind, there are different opinions as to the
best way to start worm-composting. I think this is
an overall good idea of how it generally works, and
generates great nutrition for your gardens.
