By: Veronica Sliva
Keeping worms in the closet? It’s called vermiculture, or vermicomposting, and I got into it a couple of years ago when I was researching a story on a method of using worms to recycle organic waste into a soil conditioner. I decided to try it myself and find out about the process first hand. I was so fascinated by the whole thing that I still do it.
The process is simple– you feed the worms and they poop out worm casings. Worm casings are a nitrogen rich fertilizer and a superb soil additive. It’s a simple process, very little work and it’s a fun and easy way to recycle organic kitchen waste.
Getting started was easy.
Here’s how:
I ordered a container and a pound of red wiggler worms (you can’t just use any type of worm such as the ones we find in the garden) from Cathy’s Crawly Composters. You can make your own container, but you have to make sure the lid is tight-fitting and there are holes for ventilation.
It all arrived by mail a few days later. I gingerly opened the box to find that the worms had made the trip unscathed. The wrigglers were wrapped in newspaper and when I peeled it open I was pleased to see they were alive and well and very squiggly. Who knew worms could travel so well by mail?
The container upon arrival, and filled with newspaper
My method:
I filled the container (about the size of a recycling bin) with dry shredded newspaper and added a little water until the paper became moist -- about the consistency of a wet sponge (not dripping wet). Next, according to the directions, I added a few crushed egg shells (to reduce acidity) and about a cup of soil from the garden.
Then I introduced the worms to their new home. Worms don’t like light, so when I placed them on top of the “bedding” they headed straight to the bottom of the bin where it’s dark and comfy.
The next step is to feed them (they can eat about half their weight every day). I feed my worms about once a week by burying a pound or so of organic scraps (spent flowers, coffee grounds, plant cuttings, fruit and vegetable peelings etc…no meat or oils!) a couple of inches under the bedding. The smaller you chop up the food, the more quickly the worms break it down. I place the scraps in a different spot each time I feed them. Once in a while I sprinkle a handful of crushed eggshells on top of bedding.
Right, the red wigglers in their new home; left, yep, that's worm casing (AKA poop)
After a few weeks the worm casings start to build up and you can see all this lovely black compost!
I harvest my compost in the spring or fall when the bin gets to be about ¼ full. I just dump everything out onto newspaper and separate the worms from the compost. I save most of the worms and start the process all over (sad to admit, some do end up in the garden and they don’t survive the winter).
The lovely black compost, filled with nutrients
You may ask:
Does it smell? The answer is no –vermiculture is odourless when everything is operating properly. The worms eat the decomposing matter, so they are eating away anything that might smell as well. The result is a fresh earthy scent.
Where should I keep my bin? I keep mine in a closet. It doesn’t take up much space and it’s out of the way.
What if I go on vacation for three weeks? No problem. Feed them before you leave and when you come back. They’ll be fine.
The great advantage of worm composting is that this can be done indoors and outdoors, thus allowing year round composting. It also provides apartment dwellers with a means of composting. And, kids of all ages love it!
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