Utilizing a wormery for composting transforms kitchen scraps into nutrient-dense compost for your garden and houseplants, all while being eco-friendly.
A wormery occupies minimal space, fitting easily under your kitchen sink, and significantly boosts plant health. If you're exploring composting methods, incorporating a wormery is a smart choice that also benefits the environment.
Advantages of Composting with a Wormery
If you're into permaculture gardening, a wormery is essential.
For those already creating organic compost from yard waste, you might wonder about the value of a wormery.
The solution is straightforward: instead of sending food waste to landfills where it generates harmful greenhouse gases, a wormery allows worms to consume it, converting it into potent plant food.
'Worms excel at turning organic materials into valuable fertilizers,' shares an expert.
Beyond environmental benefits, composting with a wormery enriches your garden. 'Worm compost is packed with minerals essential for robust plant growth; just a tablespoon can nourish a plant throughout its growing season. It also retains moisture, provides natural pest control, and improves soil structure,' explains a gardening authority.
This compost is suitable for flower beds, vegetable patches, container plants, and houseplants, or can be used as mulch.
Moreover, there's a financial angle. 'Considering the price of store-bought organic fertilizers, even a premium wormery can pay for itself in just one growing season,' experts say.
What Exactly is a Wormery?
A wormery, also known as a worm bin, is a container designed to house composting worms that consume kitchen scraps. Typically, it's a bin with ventilation holes.
'Most wormeries consist of two sections: the upper part where food waste is added and the worms perform their magic, and the lower part collects the liquid byproduct,' explains a gardening expert.
More compartments or trays in your wormery can enhance its efficiency.
'The byproducts include worm castings—worm manure—and leachate, which is a liquid fertilizer. These feed both indoor and outdoor plants,' the expert adds.
By creating a natural, organic product that aids in pest control, worm composting can also complement your wildlife garden.
'Worm castings can be directly applied to plants without harming their roots, but for optimal results, mix it at a 2:10 ratio with standard compost. Leachate can be used as a liquid feed when diluted at a 1:10 ratio with water,' the expert advises.
Starting Your Own Wormery for Compost
You can either purchase or create a wormery using opaque plastic containers or even a wheelie bin.
One expert offers the following steps for crafting a wormery using a large plastic bin:
- Drill ventilation holes into the bottom of the bin.
- Line the base with newspaper and add 8cm of moist compost for the worms.
- Introduce the composting worms.
- Top with 8-10cm of kitchen scraps.
- Cover the mixture with cardboard or newspaper to retain moisture, then lightly water it.
- Secure the lid to keep it dry.
- Elevate the bin on bricks to ensure airflow through the holes.
There are various materials suitable for worm bedding, including damp shredded paper, compost, coconut coir, and well-aged manure.
Additionally, experts suggest using leaves, straw, and egg cartons.
Which Worms Are Best for a Wormery?
Specific worm species are ideal for a wormery; don't assume any garden worms will suffice.
'Lobworms, common in gardens, are deep burrowers and won't thrive in a wormery,' warns an expert.
For composting, the best options are:
- Red tiger / red wiggler worms (Eisenia andrei/ fetida), also known as brandling worms, which thrive in compost.
- Dendrobaena (Eisenia hortensis), or the European Nightcrawler, the largest composting worm, prefers moist conditions.
Worms are sold by weight. By weighing your food scraps, you can determine the number of worms required.
These worms can consume about half their weight in scraps daily, so 'a guideline is to feed 200g of worms 50-100g of food each day,' an expert suggests.
They can double their population every 60-90 days, so don't over-purchase based on kitchen waste.
'For a family of four, starting with 1kg of worms is advisable, but monitor the waste to avoid overfeeding,' the expert notes.
What Can Be Composted in a Wormery?
A variety of organic kitchen scraps is suitable for composting in a wormery. 'Treat worms to scraps like vegetable peels, tea bags, coffee grounds, and small amounts of bread, weeds, and leaves,' suggests an expert.
'Partially decomposed kitchen scraps are easier for worms to digest, and cutting food into smaller pieces speeds up the breakdown process,' another expert advises.
There are certain foods to avoid, particularly acidic ones. 'Citrus fruits can raise acidity, so limit their inclusion,' warns the expert.
'A diverse range of organic waste will enhance the quality of worm castings,' adds the expert.
How Long Will Composting Take in a Wormery?
Worm composting may take a few months, depending on seasonal conditions.
Worms thrive in warm, moist environments, ideally between 64-77ºF (18-25ºC). Their activity diminishes below 50ºF (10ºC).
'In winter, worms enter semi-hibernation as temperatures drop, reducing feeding and digestion,' an expert notes.
Optimal Placement for a Wormery
Position your wormery to provide ideal conditions. 'While worms are resilient, they thrive best between 50-85ºF (10-30ºC),' states an expert.
Keep the wormery shaded in summer, sheltered from wind, and indoors during colder months, possibly wrapped in bubble wrap or blankets. They slow down in winter.
Placing it against a north-facing wall offers protection from sunlight and wind.
Because of their compact size, wormeries can easily fit on sheltered balconies or courtyards, making them suitable for small spaces and sustainable gardening initiatives.
Worm composting is also feasible indoors, where conditions are often more stable.
Maintaining Your Worms
To properly care for your worms, 'start gradually,' advises a gardening expert.
When introducing worms, they might take time to adjust. 'Begin with small food portions and gauge how quickly they consume it. Gradually increase until you're providing half their weight in food daily,' the expert explains.
If scraps aren't being consumed, pause feeding for a few days to encourage them to work through the top layer.
'Offering a mix of food types ensures a varied diet and nutrient intake. If worms are visible at the surface when you lift the lid, it's time to feed again. Adding food once or twice a week is a good practice,' recommends the expert.
Keep conditions optimal for your wormery—maintain the right temperature and position. Periodically drain excess liquid to prevent over-saturation, and occasionally stir the compost to check worm health.
Do Wormeries Produce Odors?
'A well-functioning wormery should have an earthy scent. Unpleasant smells typically arise when excess food spoils and becomes anaerobic,' warns an expert.
If this occurs, stop feeding and remove any leftover or uneaten food.
Excess moisture can also lead to odors; if this happens, drain off liquid and add shredded cardboard or paper to absorb moisture.
