The Basics of Worm Composting 

Worm composting is nature’s miracle. It is a way of naturally composting all your food scraps and organic material.  The worms eat the food scraps which is then digested and passed through the digestive tract. The excrement is nutrient rich. Vermicompost is ideal for gardening,  perfect for the environment and a great way to dispose of unwanted household ‘trash’ in a positive way. 

Vermiculture Bin 

Worms naturally break down organic materials and return them to the oil. However, you can have a worm bin in your backyard, patio, or kitchen to regularly harvest the compost. The worm bin mimics the natural environment. You can purchase vermiculture bins online and from a variety of garden supply storms. The bins come in various sizes and shapes. 

A five-to-10-gallon worm box is ideal for most households. The box is devices so that it is rather shallow because the worms prefer dwelling in the top layers (only about six inches deep). Worm bins are made from glass, plastic, or wood. Some people even fashion worm boxes from old aquariums or plastic containers instead of purchasing a commercial worm bin. 

Feeding the Worms

Within the bin, you can add raw vegetables, fruits, and other biodegradable scraps such as paper. Although most fruits are okay for worm farming, you’ll want to abstain from using orange rinds and other citrus fruits which attract fries are too acidic. Onions and broccoli can also create an unpleasant odor. 

Setting Up Your Worm Bin

Setting up the worm bin box is easy. Use moistened newspaper strips to create a nice environment where the worms will thrive. They require moisture, darkness, air, warmth, and food. You can also use old leaves as bedding for the worms. 

What Worms to Use in Vermiculture?

You can purchase vermiculture worms online from worm farms or at garden supply stores. The most typical worms used are red worms (also known as red wigglers). The scientific names of the two varieties of red worms commonly used in vermiculture are Eisenia foetida and Lumbricus rubellus.

Harvesting Compost

Worms work tirelessly to recycle your food scraps and other garbage into usable compost.  As time goes by, there will be less worm bedding (paper strips or leaves) and more compost. It typically takes about three to five months for the worm bin to fill with compost. At that time, you will remove the compost and replace it with additional bedding. You will separate the worms from the castings, and you might need to start another worm bin because the worms do reproduce. 

You’ll usually push all the compost to one side of the bin and remove it. Then replace it with more bedding. Carry out the compost harvest every two or three months once the farm is established. 

Worm composting is an eco-friendly way to cut down on waste at over-filled landfills. You can use the compost as a part of your gardening fertilizing program. At Humboldts Secret Supplies, we are dedicated to the environment. You can combine our nutrient formulas with your all-natural composting efforts to create a truly thriving garden. Contact us to learn more!