Just add worms... Vermicomposting!

In organic farming, it is essential to "feed the soil." Organic farming focuses on adding rich organic matter to the soil to convert it into plant nutrients over time. Composting is one way to feed the soil with nutrients. There are numerous types and ways to compost. I have started experiments with one particular type of composting -vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is also known as worm compost. Worms can convert kitchen scraps, shredded paper, and leaves into an organic fertilizer, which is also called worm castings.

Benifits of vermicomposting:

·         Castings are odorless

·         Minimal cost and requires very little space

·         Contains rich, organic micronutrients that plants need

·         Castings are pH netural

·         Decreases the risk of plant diseases

·         Worm castings can be spread around plants or used to make vermicompost tea to spray on plants

I recently purchased a Worm Factory -complete with red wiggler worms -from a woman off of craigslist and started vermicomposting in our apartment. It is easy to set up and the best part is that the worms do all the work! The worm factory is made up of several bins stacked on top of each other. The bottom bin is where the nutrient rich worm castings collect. The upper bins are filled with the following: food scraps, leaves, shredded paper, dirt, and newspaper. It takes the worms anywhere from a few weeks to a month to move up the next bin. The worms will consume about 3lbs of scraps a week and leave plenty of worm castings behind.

We intend to mix the worm castings with potting soil to start our next batch of seedlings, add extra nutrients to our tomato transplants, and to make compost tea for our garden.  

Worm Factory



Step 1: Add food scraps pureed by blender






Step 2: Add dry leaves

 

Step 3: Add moist paper mixed with dirt

Step 4: Top with moist newspaper

Step 5: Add the Red Wigglers!