Squirmy Wormies!

I posted on this topic yesterday, but had to remove it because I couldn’t get the pictures to post with it.  Probably user error!  Let’s try again!

We were recently introduced to Vermicomposting (keeping a bin of worms to reduce household waste, then harvesting the castings, aka worm poop, for use as plant food.) I had no idea that worms are capable of reducing waste by 90%, all while creating one of the most nutrient-rich fertilizers available!   It’s low maintenance, costs little or nothing to start, and is practically odorless. 

All you need to start:

• A bin with holes for oxygen (Ours was given to us with holes that strategically spelled “worms” – how cute!)
• Shredded paper that has been moistened (there are different methods, but this is the one I’ve seen in practice)
• Old fruit/vegetables/scraps – NO Oils, NO citrus
• Worms
• Patience!

  

Added bonus: It’s fun for the kids.  We discussed the digestion system of worms, which have gizzards, similar to birds. I was reminded they have five hearts and while most species of worms are hermaphrodites, the red wiggler (the worms we are using) are not.

Many thanks to our friend Rebecca for introducing us to this concept and for making us a “starter kit” On behalf of our fruit trees, we’d like to thank you for the compost tea – we can’t wait to make our own! 

Learn more about VermiComposting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermicompost and stay tuned for compost tea recipes and methods when we harvest in three weeks!