Worm Composting

Worms have been improving soil for millions of years but only recently have we realised they can be used to eat our organic waste and and produce worm compost-one of the best fertilizers on earth for use in our organic vegetable gardens.

What do we need to start worm composting?

1--A specific kind of worm --"red worms"

2--A bin or container

3--Bedding material

4--Food

5--The harvest

1--Composting worms

                                  Often called  red worms or brandling worms they are slightly different from the earthworms in your garden soil and are more likely to be found in manure heaps or compost heaps.They can be purchased and as little as a pound in weight will be enough to start with.

2--Worm bins

                               Red worms are surface feeders so your bin only needs to be about 18 inches deep.You can make your own from plastic tubs,wooden boxes or purchase a purpose built one.

The main criteria is that it has holes in the bottom for drainage and ventilation and a lid to keep out flies.Raise the bin off the floor(see "harvest")

The right size for your family can be calculated by allowing roughly two square feet of surface area per person in the family.

Place your bin where it won't get too hot or too cold--in a shed or garage is fine.

3--Bedding material

                               Shredded newspapers,moistened first,mixed with some horse manure is ideal.Mix this with a handful of soil from your compost heap and add some ground limestone or crushed eggshells every couple of months to provide calcium for the worms.

4--Food

             Worms like any kind of kitchen scraps except meat ,bones ,and dairy products(think vegan).Vegetables,tea bags ,coffee grounds -in fact anything left over from a meal can be put in the bin.

To start with only add small amounts at a time and mix it in with the bedding.

5--The harvest

                       You can get two kinds of plant fertilizer from your worm bin.

By placing a drip tray under the raised bin you will collect a thick dark liquid which can be diluted and  used as an organic fertilizer.

The brown ,crumbly worm compost can be collected from the bin after 3-6 months and used as a mulch or mixed with potting compost (1 part  worm compost to 3 parts potting compost)

To harvest the worm compost tip the bin onto a sheet of plastic under a bright light or in sunlight.Sort into several piles ,lifting any free worms.The rest of the worms will crawl into the center of the piles of worm compost so you can remove the compost from the outside edges until you are left with a center core of worms which  can be put back in the bin for you to start making more worm compost.