Signs of climate change is all around us. Winter being more harsh than before, rain flooding areas unexpectedly, even bird migration timing is off. The rhythms of nature used to beat in a predictable pattern. Harmonizing across the ecosystem. And now... the beat of that timing is off.
To get our ecosystem back in rhythm, we have to start with our soil. What better way to start, than to start with composting.
Lets chat about Efficient Vermicompost Worm Bins for Sustainable Composting
WHY COMPOST?
Learning to grow your own food and reuse your kitchen scraps in your compost pile is the most effective gardening project one can start early on. However the process of composting is a bit more than tossing your kitchen scraps into a bin.
When kitchen scraps go to the dump, as they break down they decompose through an anaerobic process. Trapped under all the waste with no oxygen, the kitchen scraps break down releasing methane. This methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. And we, each and every one of us, can actually do something really helpful about it.
WHAT IS VERMI COMPOSTING?
Vermicomposting, also known as composting with worms, is a sustainable and efficient method of turning kitchen scraps and organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.
At its core, vermi composting involves using specialized worms, such as red wigglers (Eisenia fetida), to break down organic matter into nutrient-rich compost. Unlike traditional composting methods, vermi composting is faster, more space-efficient, and allows for composting in smaller spaces.
HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORK?
In a vermicomposting system, worms play a crucial role in breaking down organic waste. The process begins with creating a suitable habitat for the worms, typically in a bin or container. Bedding materials like shredded newspaper, cardboard, or coconut coir provide a comfortable environment for the worms to thrive.
Kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells are added to the bin as food for the worms. The key is to layer your compost bin greens, browns, kitchen scraps. As the worms consume the organic matter, creating compost rich in nutrients, they excrete nutrient-rich castings, aka worm poop, which serve as a powerful fertilizer for plants.
COMPOST SHOULDN'T SMELL BAD
If your compost has a smell, or worse gnats, then likely your compost pile has too much of one of the 3 - Greens, Browns, Kitchen Scraps. Or its too moist. Remember, you compost pile needs oxygen and balance!
TYPES OF WORMS:
Not all worms are created equal when it comes to vermicomposting. Red wigglers, also known as Eisenia fetida, are the stars of the show due to their voracious appetite and efficient composting abilities. They thrive in the confined space of a compost bin and can process a significant amount of organic waste.
COMPOST TEA:
Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer produced as a byproduct of vermicomposting. It's created by steeping worm castings in water, creating a nutrient-rich solution that can be sprayed on plants or used as a soil drench. Compost tea enhances plant growth, improves soil structure, and promotes overall soil health.
I'll be posting a DIY project soon on how you can build one of these using plastic bins.
Stay tuned and Happy Growing!