More worm facts

Using worms is simply another way of turning a waste product into a new usable product via the composting process. There is hot composting where the compost heap warms up considerably due to microbial action and the bacterial and fungal population converts the organic matter back to simple nutrient compounds. This process at its peak heat is too hot for worms and will kill them but is often employed prior to materials being introduced to worms. It does have the added added advantage of killing any seeds present in the heated portion and well as killing off pathogens.

Using compost worms to do the same process will be highly beneficial as the worms will enable the decomposition process to be completed much faster. This in part is due to the physical action of the worms gut and the vastly increased microbial population, largely grown inside a worms gut and excreted with the castings.

So why compost? Some statistics suggest that about two thirds of our household waste is organic, and so compostable. It is a great way of diverting materials away from landfill to a more useful and productive material. A great driver of climate change is the greenhouse gases and methane, a product of landfill, is considered about 20 times more undesirable than carbon dioxide. The most common household wastes are food scraps which are generally rich in nitrogen, and worms love them, especially the softer fruits. Some households use compost worm bins to remove cat and dog faeces but it is generally recommended not to use the castings on edible foods in this situation. Soft plant matter such as weeds are fine but ensure there are no seeds attached as worms will not eat the seeds and so you will be spreading the seeds. Woody materials will be very slow to break down and are best composted separately in order to give the wood time to start rotting and soften. Coffee grounds and tea bags are a great addition. Brown cardboard (no high glossy material) is also loved by worms. They will also devour tissue and white paper. Eggshells need to be crushed finely and will help stabilize the pH.

If the worm bin smells very likely it is too moist and/or has too much nitrogenous material. I find adding brown cardboard can help on both counts, lots of carbon and absorbent of excess moisture. If you think it is too slow breaking down it may be too dry or you may have too much carbonaceous material.