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
For best results, acquire a container that is eight to twelve inches deep. In addition, wood is an excellent material for your worm compost as it absorbs moisture and insulates the worms. There are some who prefer a rectangular shaped plastic container; however these tend to make the compost soggy.
Aerate the bottom
It is important to drill holes at least two inches apart all across the bottom of your container. If you are using a plastic container, it will need several addition holes. Once your holes are drilled, place the container on bricks to lift it off the ground. This will allow air flow to circulate under and through the container. It is also very important to keep a tray underneath your container in order to catch any excess moisture. This excess liquid can be used as liquid fertilizer. If you notice your compost seems extra soggy, 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 and Save Kitchen Scraps
About a week before you purchase your worms, start collecting kitchen scraps to feed the worms. The kitchen scraps you save are just like for home composting. Do not use animal proteins like meat, bones, cheese, milk, or oil products like salad dressing or mayonnaise. All raw vegetable and fruit leftovers, coffee grounds, used tea bags and egg shells are good.
Buy Worms
You will need to have at least 2 pounds of worms for each day of food waste. Surprisingly, this works out to be approximately 2,000 worms. The best variations for composting are red worms or red wigglers as they thrive off of organic materials such as rotting fruits and vegetables.
Put a Cover on the Container
Having your container outside means it needs optimum protection from predators. The best material to cover your container is wood. The wood provides the darkness worms like as well as giving the soil its much needed moisture. If your container is indoors a simple plastic lid will suffice.
Collect Castings from Worms
Within four to six weeks from starting your worm compost you will start to notice the bedding becoming darker. Finally, in about two to three months, there will be very little of your original bedding remaining. If you wish to collect all of the compost or castings at once, simply pour the container onto a tarp or old shower curtain liner. The next step is to shine a light over the piles to ensure the worms move to the bottom. Once you are sure they are at the bottom, begin scooping the castings until all that is left are the worms. Place new bedding, the worms and some of the castings back in your container and start all over again.
Purchase a Container
For best results, acquire a container that is eight to twelve inches deep. In addition, wood is an excellent material for your worm compost as it absorbs moisture and insulates the worms. There are some who prefer a rectangular shaped plastic container; however these tend to make the compost soggy.
Aerate the bottom
It is important to drill holes at least two inches apart all across the bottom of your container. If you are using a plastic container, it will need several addition holes. Once your holes are drilled, place the container on bricks to lift it off the ground. This will allow air flow to circulate under and through the container. It is also very important to keep a tray underneath your container in order to catch any excess moisture. This excess liquid can be used as liquid fertilizer. If you notice your compost seems extra soggy, 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 and Save Kitchen Scraps
About a week before you purchase your worms, start collecting kitchen scraps to feed the worms. The kitchen scraps you save are just like for home composting. Do not use animal proteins like meat, bones, cheese, milk, or oil products like salad dressing or mayonnaise. All raw vegetable and fruit leftovers, coffee grounds, used tea bags and egg shells are good.
Buy Worms
You will need to have at least 2 pounds of worms for each day of food waste. Surprisingly, this works out to be approximately 2,000 worms. The best variations for composting are red worms or red wigglers as they thrive off of organic materials such as rotting fruits and vegetables.
Put a Cover on the Container
Having your container outside means it needs optimum protection from predators. The best material to cover your container is wood. The wood provides the darkness worms like as well as giving the soil its much needed moisture. If your container is indoors a simple plastic lid will suffice.
Collect Castings from Worms
Within four to six weeks from starting your worm compost you will start to notice the bedding becoming darker. Finally, in about two to three months, there will be very little of your original bedding remaining. If you wish to collect all of the compost or castings at once, simply pour the container onto a tarp or old shower curtain liner. The next step is to shine a light over the piles to ensure the worms move to the bottom. Once you are sure they are at the bottom, begin scooping the castings until all that is left are the worms. Place new bedding, the worms and some of the castings back in your container and start all over again.
About the Author:
Rhonda Abrons is a keen organic gardening enthusiast. She loves to share her gardening experiences and provide lessons about Organic Gardening Pest Control and Natural Homemade Pesticides Recipes on Clivir.com.
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