Let's talk about WORM COMPOSTING (Vermicomposting)
Worm composting is an easy, efficient way to recycle food wastes into a fine, high-quality compost (worm castings) for your houseplants or garden. It is very popular with children, teachers in grade schools, and anyone who wants the option of a year-round, indoor/outdoor system that requires very little space or effort.
Years ago, when I was a poor and under-employed single guy I really wanted a worm bin (aka vermicomposter, aka worm composter). I wanted to compost because I was, after all, a gardener from an early age. I wanted to vermicompost because it was well known as the fastest way to get compost you could find. I did research and found that while you could spend hundreds of dollars on worm composting, you could also do it 'on the cheap' and still get a effective system going.
Worm compost is made in a container filled with moistened bedding and redworms. The bedding may consist of moistened shredded newspaper and leaves. Added to that is food waste from the household. Vermicomposting is a natural method for recycling nutrient-rich food scraps without any resulting odor. The worms go crazy over such an ideal living habitat, both eating and reproducing plentifully. The resulting compost, called worm castings, is an excellent soil conditioner for house plants, patio containers and gardens.
Worm composting reduces the amount of household garbage that goes to the landfill. The bins are entirely rodent-proof. If done properly, whether indoors or outdoors, there will be little or no fruit flies, gnats or odor. Caution should be given to capturing a liquid by-product or leachate, called compost tea, beneath the bin if housed inside. You can ruin a good floor if you don't!
Follow the link below to find the front and back pages of a great handout from the Hays County Texas Master Gardeners that walks you through making your own worm bin.
Get it here: http://www.gardeningaustin.com/projects.html
Happy Gardening.
Worm composting is an easy, efficient way to recycle food wastes into a fine, high-quality compost (worm castings) for your houseplants or garden. It is very popular with children, teachers in grade schools, and anyone who wants the option of a year-round, indoor/outdoor system that requires very little space or effort.
Years ago, when I was a poor and under-employed single guy I really wanted a worm bin (aka vermicomposter, aka worm composter). I wanted to compost because I was, after all, a gardener from an early age. I wanted to vermicompost because it was well known as the fastest way to get compost you could find. I did research and found that while you could spend hundreds of dollars on worm composting, you could also do it 'on the cheap' and still get a effective system going.
Worm compost is made in a container filled with moistened bedding and redworms. The bedding may consist of moistened shredded newspaper and leaves. Added to that is food waste from the household. Vermicomposting is a natural method for recycling nutrient-rich food scraps without any resulting odor. The worms go crazy over such an ideal living habitat, both eating and reproducing plentifully. The resulting compost, called worm castings, is an excellent soil conditioner for house plants, patio containers and gardens.
Worm composting reduces the amount of household garbage that goes to the landfill. The bins are entirely rodent-proof. If done properly, whether indoors or outdoors, there will be little or no fruit flies, gnats or odor. Caution should be given to capturing a liquid by-product or leachate, called compost tea, beneath the bin if housed inside. You can ruin a good floor if you don't!
Follow the link below to find the front and back pages of a great handout from the Hays County Texas Master Gardeners that walks you through making your own worm bin.
Get it here: http://www.gardeningaustin.com/projects.html
Happy Gardening.
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