Worm composting is not anything new, but it sure is intelligent. Composting is an option to recycle leftover foods into a very beneficial soil conditioner. It’s amazing but, not only can worm composting produce the most magnificent fruit trees you’ve ever cultivated, it’s also a wonderful way in doing our part in cutting down on garbage bags taking over landfills. This is because much of the contents in our kitchen garbage bags is food parts.
One of the great benefits of worm composting is that it can be done both in or outside. This allows us to compost throughout the year too. And, just in case you’re wondering, the compost smells like rich earth.
Wiggler Worm
Wiggler Worms can eat up to 1 and 1/2 times their body weight a day. As you add your leftovers to a compost bin (that has wiggler worms in it), the worms make their way through the food matter by eating it. As they travel throughout the day, they excrete what are called worm castings. Yep, worm dung.
Again, don’t worry about the way it smells, it smells just like rich earth. The castings are high in nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, the castings are also a neutral pH. Thus, if your soil is highly acidic or not acidic enough, the castings help by balancing the soil.
So what do you need to begin? Food, worms, and a compost bin. Mobile bins are convenient as they can be moved around.
If you live in an area with mild temperatures you can keep your compost bin outdoors and when the weather gets bad, simply bring it inside. The bins shouldn’t be left in hot temperatures and if the temperature drops below the 40′s, the bin should be taken inside or in a shed outside if it is well insulated. Other than that, it’s easy as pie.
Maintenance? What Maintenance?
If you have the proper ratio of worms to food, you really don’t have much to maintain. Merely keep adding food. After 2-3 months you’ll notice that the bedding you had in the bin is gone and what has replaced it is worm castings. The castings can be mixed with potting soil to be used with indoor plants and makes ideal mulch.
Use it directly in the garden and lawn. The end result will be healthy soil,more fruit, and dark foliage Red Wiggler Worm
