Worm Composting Resources

Greenlife Worm Composting Blog has started a series of posts compiling interesting and informative worm composting resources. Here is how they describe the effort:

One of the major aims of this blog / website is to facilitate worm composting. Thus one of my goals has been to scavenge as many worm composting resources and catalog them. I am starting to share these resources that I believe amateur worm composters can use to enhance their knowledge and expertise by taking advantage of the vermiculture stories and advice presented here on this page.This page is simply a list of resources that I post on the blog for easy access. You can also do  keyword search for more targeted results as well.

Worm Composting Resources

1. Sydney office of environment and heritage guide to worm composting : This is a short but succinctly informative starter’s guide to worm composting. Obviously it contains information you can find elsewhere but a government agency taking the time to advise the public on vermiculture is always noteworthy. Have look at this worm composting manual even if just for fun.

Do it yourself worm composting bin - Easy instructions

I discovered a little video on how to build a simple worm composting bin yourself on youtube. In fact ı discovered it on Greenlife Worm Composting Blog which I believe have taken the video and accompanying text from another gardening blog or web page. In any case it is instructional and useful. My respect goes to the authors and composers. 

Worms can compost your organic waste including shredded paper, egg cartons and all vegetable remains more efficiently and way faster than your typical backyard composter. One wonderful benefit of worm composting is that it is essentially self contained so that you can compost even in a small apartment. Thus, worm composting makes composting not only possible but even practical for city dwellers as well as suburban and rural families who can afford larger contraptions in their backyards. This little video shows how to set up a very simple worm composting bin with the help of everyday tools and materials you can purchase from a hardware store

.

A simple vermicomposting (worm composting) bin can be built with a couple of stackable totes, a small piece of window screen, and a drill and of course with a little bit of handiwork.

The worm compost bin here is designed by is made by the NC Worm Farm. To build you will drill several holes in the bottom of one plastic tote then place that in the other bin. Make a spacer out of a lumber scrap, gravel, or whatever else to provide an inch or two between the two bins. Cut a four inch or so square out of the lid and attach the window screen material to the underside of the lid. Fill the bin with damp shredded paper and a bit of peat moss and your starter worms. You can usually find a pound or so of starter worms locally on Craigslist, but you can also buy them directly from the NC Worm Farm (or many other online sites), NC Worm Farm charges $29 for a pound of red wigglers delivered anywhere in the US and guaranteed to arrive alive.

From time to time you will notice some moisture collect in the bottom bin, this is the water runoff filled with residue from worm casings and compost. Called "worm tea" this stuff is some of the best natural fertilizer you can apply to plants.

If you're looking for an alternative to traditional aerobic compost bins consider giving vermicomposting a try. Or you can actually purchase a practical starter bin for less than $90.00 from various online retailers.

A couple of ideas for a worm composter bin

Worm Factory 360 Worm Composter

Worm Factory 360 WF360B is one of the best products of Worm Factory. It ships with four trays but you can extend it up to 8 trays. This makes this model the larges ready to use home style worm composter. One of the advantages of the Worm Factory 360 is that it comes with an starters’ DVD, and an accessory kit with some bedding and simple tools included. If you are a true novice this bin makes your life easier.  It is a little on the bulkier side and while its high posts makes it convenient to work with it while you are standing they also make it more difficult to store it in tight places (such as under a sink, or a kitchen cupboard). The picture on the left is a black bin it also comes in green and terra cotta. Overall this is one of the better deals out there if you are shopping for a worm composting bin.

Worm Factory DS5TT 5-Tray Worm Composter

This  Worm Factory DS5TT 5-Tray is a true monster. It comes with 5 trays already in place. You can safely add another two. In my opinion it is good for those who would start big. It is 2 inches smaller in length and width than the360 and it has shorter support legs. This means that you will be bending when you are working with the lower trays but at the same time smaller dimensions and lower height means you can put it into a tight space. It comes with a manual and how to guide but no DVD. Since additional trays are also available you might consider Worm Factory DS3GT 3-Tray Worm Composter . Which is essentially the same product only it ships with three trays instead of 5. This means you can actually stash it under something in your garage or kitchen. And in case you decide to build up you can always purchase individual trays.

Read more over at Greenlife Worm Composting Blog

Worm Composting Bins

Greenlife has recently published an article on ready to use worm composting bins. These bins are great for the newbies and experienced composters alike. Remember that by worm composting you'll be reducing your carbon footprint, reduce organic waste, relieve pressure from landfills, obtain high quality fertilizer and reduce the use of fossil fuels due to fewer bags of chemical fertilizers sold.

How many birds with one stone? yes quite a few.

Read more over at Greenlife Worm Composting Blog