Worm farms made easy
Violas
If you feel a twinge of guilt every time you throw those organic materials such as vegetable peelings into the bin then it is time to consider starting a worm farm. There are a number of simple and effective worm farms on the market, most consisting of a series of trays in a vertical stack that can be rotated as the worms chew through their food. Anything organic can be put into a worm farm, however, it is important not to drown the worms with too much ‘wet’ kitchen waste, as they need oxygen to really thrive. Therefore it is a good idea to mix some dry materials such as shredded paper (newsprint is OK in moderate amounts), cow and horse manure, or straw in with the mix to allow for adequate aeration.
Another important point is to feed small amounts of material every day or two as this allows the worm population to fluctuate to match the volume of material you are adding. Also keep you worm farm in a sheltered shady spot as the heat of a scorching summer day will damage your worms if the farm is in full sun. Every month or so the bottom tray will be ready to empty and the resulting compost is perfect for forking into your garden soil as a rich source of organic matter and nutrients.
How to make liquid fertilizer
More about worms
Common problems with worm farms & compost
Worming your way into the garden
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