Have you heard of Worm Composting

I’ve recently come across many articles about Worm Composting and figured I’d give it a shot.  I bought a pound of worms via the mail for $25.  I guess they’re not your standard worms – they are red wiggler worms – formally known as eisenia foetida.  If you do a web search you should be able to find places that sell them.  Here in Rhode Island is a place called Angora and Worms (www.angoraandworms.com).  That’s where I got my worms.  I believe they ship to other states as well.

 It’s pretty simple to do and there are many sites that give directions.  You can do a search and find sites like this:  http://journeytoforever.org/compost_worm.html

 I’ve been doing it for about a month now.  I’m using a plastic bin with air holes on the top and sides.  In my bin is some damp newspaper, organic kitchen waste (and coffee grounds), some dirt, and more newspaper to cover the pile.  At first, some of the worms we’re venturing up the sides of the bin and resting on the lip below the cover.  It appears that my bin was too wet.  I added more dirt and took out some of the soaked newspaper and now the worms are staying in the pile.

It’s really not much work.  I have a tupperware container with a good cover to store the scraps.  And every couple of days I drop them in the bin and push them into the lower part of the pile in the paper. 

People also use woodbins.  I’ve read that it can be done outside in the winter if you remove the bottom from your bin.  That way the worms can burrow down when it gets really cold.

The worm castings are supposed to be great for gardens and plants.  And it’s free.  Good luck if  you give it a try.  You’ll find some other info at www.greenlivingri.com