Wormeries

Wormeries are generally used to convert kitchen leftovers and garden waste into good-quality and nutrient-rich organic manure. These are also known as vermicomposter or worm bins and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. You can buy them from manufactures of domestic composting and recycling equipment for different prizes.

Wormeries are actually the worm composters that are designed and developed to produce both solid compost and a strong liquid fertilizer. Usually, a wormery assures trouble-free and highly effective method to create the solid raw waste into useful organic matter. Such kind of compost is referred as ‘black gold’ by many experts. They use it mostly for gardening to enhance absolute growth of plants.

How to Set Up a Wormery?

You require lots of worms in a wormery for composting process. A variety of worms are available that can be easily accessible at registered composters. For example, tiger worms are utilized on an extensive scale. Besides this, you need a few basic requirements like a torn newspaper or a cardboard for worm bedding and a container to put the worms and organic compost.

In a wormery, worms reside in a sealed component or a container under safe and confined environment that prohibits their escape. Various patented organizations also provide appropriate wormery, like the Department of Local Government and the Environment (DLGE). It offers sponsored can-o-worms wormeries to educational institutions like schools, agriculture colleges and groups involved in educational activities.

Usually, a wormery works best when used in combination with a compost bin. You can apply garden litter like dried leaves, grass cuttings, cardboard, cut flowers, vegetables peelings, teabags, egg covers, etc. to it.

On an average, 800-1,000 mature worms consume half a pound of organic material per day. Maintain around 40 to 50 percent humidity, a Ph of 6.3 to 7.5, and a temperature range of 20 to 30 degree Celsius in the matter. It takes around 3-4 months to produce yield wherein the material is upturned 3 or 4 times to bring down the temperature and allow a uniform decay. The final manure also generates a high-quality liquid fertilizer that can be used for house plants or gardens.

Tips for a Successful and Effective Wormery

• Maintain a reasonably steady temperature in your wormery that ranges from 55 °F to 77 °F
• Avoid direct sunlight and try to maintain a frost free environment
• It is advised to insulate a wormery during very cold weather or snowy conditions
• It is recommended to avoid acidic foods as it leads to uncomfortable conditions
• You can use an ‘anti-acid’ lime mix which helps
• Put a little weight on the lid for the initial couple of days to inhibit the worms from going out
• Keep the worms active and healthy by providing suitable conditions and adequate food
• Try to avoid potato peelings, meat, onions, garlic and citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, clementines, satsumas, mandarins, etc
• Protect the worms from predators and pests like rodents, ants, birds, snakes, fowl, toads, leeches, and flat worms