Worm bins can be a great way to manage food scraps and they produce the highest quality compost. Trays, cans, plastic bins or boxes can be used to house the worms – but remember to keep the lid on as the worms like a dark and moist environment. Food is then buried into a moist carbon based bedding – usually made of shredded paper, cardboard, leaves, straw, rotted manure, wood shavings and/or sawdust. Once the worms eat the food scraps, the compost can be harvested as often as every few months but more usually once or twice a year. In addition, with some systems, you can collect the worm tea and dilute it down to use as a liquid fertiliser.
Suitable Materials: Plant derived food scraps, leaves, cardboard, straw and paper.
- The worm castings are rich in nutrients and contain hormones that stimulate plant growth.
- These systems produce the highest quality compost but require some attention to get the most out of them.
- It is easy to make your own, especially if you have access to some well rotted manure for your worm supply!
- They are a wonderful opportunity to teach children about the wonders of life.
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