Organic Garden Fertilizer ” How to Worm Compost
Organic is widely becoming the most desirable way to garden and eat food. Using an organic fertilizer relieves the stress of worrying about chemicals contaminating your vegetables and fruits. One organic fertilizer is worm excretion or Vermiculture. Using worm compost will bring you a hardy, healthy crop. Here are the simple steps needed to create your own worm compost.
Purchase a Container
The most recommended material for a worm compost container is wood as it absorbs moisture and insulates the worms. However, there are some who prefer a rectangular plastic container, although these tend to make the compost soggy. The optimum size for your container is eight to twelve inches deep.
Aerate the bottom
After choosing your container, you must now drill holes for release of excess moisture as well as for allowing air flow. Each hole should be at least two inches apart from the last and spread across the entire bottom. Once this is completed, place the container on some bricks to keep it off the ground. This step allows for the air to flow around and through the container. Another bonus to this step is that a tray can be placed underneath the container to catch any excess fluid which can then be used as liquid fertilizer. If you notice your compost seems excessively wet, simply add more holes to the bottom.
Line Bottom with Shredded Newspaper
Shred newspaper into one inch wide strips. Dampen the paper strips with water in a spray bottle until damp. Add about a cup of sand for the worms digestive tract.
Collect Kitchen Scraps
Just as you would save leftovers for your home composting, you will need to save your kitchen scraps for your worm compost. This should be started at least one week prior to purchasing your worms. The best foods are egg shells, used tea bags, coffee grounds and raw fruit and vegetable leftovers. The foods you want to avoid are meat, bones, cheese, milk or mayonnaise and salad dressings.
Buy Worms
The best worms for compost are red worms or red wigglers as they thrive off of organic materials such as rotting vegetables. The standard amount of worms you will need is about two pounds for each day of food waste. This works out to be approximately two thousand worms.
Cover the Container
Worms like it dark and moist, so cover with a wooden board when outside. This will also keep away predators. Inside, heavy plastic will do.
Collect Worm Excretions
It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to notice the bedding is darker and in 2 to 3 months there will be little left to the original bedding. To collect all of the castings or compost at once, empty the bin on a tarp or old shower curtain into piles. Shine a light so the worms go to the bottom. Scoop the castings off the top until only worms are left. Start your bins over with some of the castings in your new bedding.