Vermicomposting is an easy way to turn green kitchen scraps into some of the best organic fertilizer around without lifting a finger. It also has the added benefit of keeping unnecessary trash out of the waste stream. What is vermicomposting? It's simply the process of using worms to break down organic waste into a nutrient-rich material used for fertilizer. Wilted lettuce, banana peels and apple cores go in, the worms feast heartily and we rejoice to harvest their castings, known to avid gardeners as "black gold." It's easy to get started and simple to maintain. Just toss in the food and count the days till harvest time.
Step One
Purchase a 10- to 18-gallon opaque plastic bin with a lid. Do not buy
a clear plastic container-the worms prefer darkness. As a rule of thumb,
the larger the colony of worms, the larger the container. A good place
to start is with ¼ pound of worms and 10-gallon plastic container.
Step Two
Drill plenty of air holes in the sides, bottom and lid of the container-each
about 1/4" in diameter.
Step Three
Shred corrugated cardboard and newspaper or junk mail to use for the bedding.
The shredded material should be damp, but not dripping wet. Place the
dampened paper in the bottom of the bin to a depth of about two inches.
Step Four
Place the worms and any substrate they were packed in into the bin. There
are thousands of other little organisms and insects in the substrate that
aid in the breakdown of the plant waste. Not just any worm will do the
job, make sure to buy composting (epigeic) worms: Perionyx excavatus,
also known as Indian blue, Malaysian blue or blueworm, is the Hawai'i
vermicomposter's worm of choice. Earthworms found in your garden's soil
are not suitable for worm bins.
Step Five
Place kitchen scraps into the bin. Adding the right amount will take some experimentation. Put enough matter in the bin to keep your worms fed for a week or so, but not so much so that it rots and attracts flies.
Step Six
Cover the scraps completely with more shredded paper or a 100-percent
cotton T-shirt. Keeping the food waste covered will keep the flies away.
Step Seven
Place the lid on the bid and rest it on top some type of reservoir-elevated
above an old baking sheet-to collect the nutrient-rich moisture that leaches
out the bottom. This can be diluted and used to water the garden. Keep
the bin in a well-ventilated, shady place. Worms work their best at temperatures
between 59°F and 77°F.
Step Eight
Check the bin regularly. Your worm bin is a self-regulating system. The
more food you incorporate into the bin, the faster the colony will multiply
and grow. Feed 'em lean to maintain the population as is. The worms need
moisture, ventilation and sustenance to perform. If all is done properly,
the bin will attract many beneficial insects to help out in the breakdown
process. Most importantly, your worm bin should never give off a foul
smell. Harvest worm castings every four months or so and repeat the setup
process again, keeping some of the old bedding laden with beneficial organisms.
Word to the wise: wear gloves while harvesting.
What to put in your worm bin:
Banana peels, moldy bread, apple cores, orange peels, wilted lettuce,
carrot peelings, mushroom stalks, asparagus stalks, onion peels, pineapple
rinds, rotten fruits and veggies, most fruit and vegetable trimmings.
What NOT to put in your worm bin:
Papaya seeds, raw or cooked meats or bones (it attracts rats), excrement
or feces of any kind.
Where to find the right worm to do the job:
Waikiki Worm Company
234 Ohua Ave. #118
Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 382-0432
email: waikikiworm@hawaii.rr.com
www.waikikiworm.com