When most folks think about worms they immediately think about their slimy, wiggling bodies but worms are so much more. Worms take in large amounts of soil and organic matter. As the worm processes the material the non-organic matter is passed and the organic matter decomposed. Expelled worm casting are a rich bounty of organic fertilizer. The rotting and decomposing material the worm ate now enrich the soil in which it now lays. Without these slimy friends we could not grow vast fields of vegetables nor would we have the enchantment of our forests. Incredible little critters they are!
But why use creepy crawlies instead of a compost pile you might ask?
Worms can compost both outdoors and indoors. With proper care they will have very little to no smell making them a great way to compost and recycle organic leftovers even in condos, houses, and apartments.
Keeping composting worms is fairly easy. To start you need a container for them to live in, a moist organic material for them to live in, organic leftovers for them to feed on , and the worms themselves.
WORMS , usually redworms, can be found in your backyard, a friends worm bin , and be bought on-line. How many worms you will need will depend on the amount of material you plan on feeding them and the size of their new bin. There are many wonderful books written about worm composting that can help give you a more in depth look and ideals for how many worms you will need.
CONTAINERS for worms can be bought on line and in many "green" stores. If you don't want to purchase a pre-made house you can make them out of Plastic totes or even wooden boxes. The house will need to have air ventilation and the material can get wet so having the ability to drain it is a good idea as well.
ORGANIC MATERIAL for the worms to live amongst can range from dead plants and manure to wood chips and cardboard. Starting with a good mixture will help the worms create a richer soil.
FEEDING the worms can vary greatly. It is best to avoid grains, meat, and dairy products. Worms will recycle coffee grounds, tea bags, bananas, fruits , and many more organic materials if you bury it in their bedding.
Maintaining the bin is fairly easy. Feed the worms a balanced flow of organic material. Keep the temperature between 40 & 80 degrees. Once the organic material has been processed you will need to separate the worms out away from their castings. If the worms are kept in their casting for too long they will start to die off.
