Vermicomposting: A Gardeners’ Best Friend Even if You Live an Apartment
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Americans throw out $1,600 worth of produce every year. The food that we throw out winds up in landfills where, unfortunately, it cannot correctly decompose and fills our landfill sites at an alarming rate. Worms to the rescue!
What is Vermicomposting?
Vermicomposting uses earthworms to break down organic wastes into nutrient-dense organic matter in a controlled environment. Vermicompost or worm castings work as a fantastic fertilizer or soil additive for gardens or household plants. The material produced is entirely kid and pet-friendly and smells like fresh-turned earth. The organic matter, called worm castings that the worms create, is so nutrient-dense that farmers and gardeners call it ‘black gold.’
Why Try Worm Composting?
- You are keeping your kitchen scraps out of the landfill and allowing nature to cycle fully.
- Worms are cheap, do not make noise, and cause almost zero smell.
- Just like we eat every day, worms do the same, meaning that they work composting food scraps every day. As long as worms say within a comfortable temperature range (56 degrees to 80 degrees F), they will devour food.
- Worm castings are a rich soil additive that can help, but gardens and house plants prosper.
- Worms naturally procreate; if you have pet birds, reptiles, or enjoy fishing, you will not have to look too far for a protein source.
Setting Up Your Worm Bin
Unfortunately, setting up a worm bin is more complicated than tossing kitchen scraps in a bucket and adding worms. But, luckily, setting up a worm bin is still simple. There are plenty of options on the market that you could purchase to help you have worms in your home or your yard. However, you could also use a plastic tote with a lid that you can pick up at any department store or hardware store—drill 1/4 inch holes around the side of the container to provide airflow.
Next is the bedding for the worms. Worms breathe through their skin, so there must be a correct balance to bedding to ensure that they are happy and healthy. Typical bedding material consists of coco coir and moisten newspaper shreds or shredded copy paper; you can even use crushed dried leaves if you have excess. To prevent everything from sticking together, ensure that all bedding material is no more than an inch square.
When you add your kitchen scraps to the worm bin, bury them because the worms do not like light. You can add tea bags, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable scraps, and various other items. However, you should avoid adding bread, eggshells, meat and dairy products, and oils because the worms either can’t digest them or find it very difficult.
The right worms finish off your worm bin. The best type of worms for your container is called Red Wigglers or Eisenia foetida. They can eat their body weight in food every day and are some of the faster digesters out there.
Conclusion
Under the right conditions, a worm bin can be an excellent way to reduce your waste and help out the environment, but it could also improve your overall plant and personal health over time.
