Worm composting

Anyone that has ever tended a garden can tell you the immense value of quality composting material. The nutrients that are found in most compost can have a tremendous impact on the quality of the plants that are grown. It is also an ideal way to recycle food scraps that would otherwise end up in the local landfill. There are a number of different methods of creating quality compost material, but worm composting has become a very popular option for many homeowners across the country and around the world.

Worms have been nature’s clean-up crew for millions upon millions of years, and they have become quite effective at what they do. They are found in just about part of the planet that is inhabited by humans, and are an essential part of the ecosystem of the planet as a whole. They are one of the primary means by which soil is routinely mixed, as they bring subsoil to the surface as they tunnel through the ground, ensuring that the soil is always healthy enough for plant life. Some estimates suggest that, depending on the location, it would not be unusual to find as many as one million earthworms within a single acre of land.

Worms are also an essential element in the way that nutrients are returned to the soil. Any organic material that ends up on the ground is fodder for these little wonders of nature. As they move through the ground, they eat the organic matter that they find and their digestive systems have evolved to break down this matter into what is basically nature’s fertilizer. Rudimentary elements such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous are what is left over once the worms process what they eat, and all of these elements are critical to maintaining healthy soil. Without these little creatures, few plants would be able to grow and survive.

Because of the worm’s ability to create the ultimate in natural fertilizer, worm composting is quickly gaining in popularity. In most cases, all that is needed is an easy to build worm bin, and the worms take care of everything else. These bins can be easily made at home with a few basic components. The actual container is one of the most important pieces, and the size one should purchase largely depends on how much composting is to be done. An important thing to remember is that whatever container is chosen, it should rather shallow instead of deep, as worms tend to living within the top six inches of the surface.

Worm composting bins also require some kind of base or bedding. This is most often done with strips of newspaper or leaves. The bedding not only helps retain moisture, which is essential, but it also helps create small air spaces that are an important part of the worm’s natural environment. Moisture and darkness are also important aspects of any successful worm bin.

Any organic material can be tossed into these bins for recycling and composting. However, most experts recommend keeping the material limited to raw vegetables and fruit scraps. Acidic fruits such as citrus should be avoided, as should meat and oil byproducts, as they tend to attract pests and can create unwanted odors.