Worm composting

[grahamhobbs]

Worm composting came up for discussion on a facebook group and I was surprised what a meal people make of it. Everyone should be doing it.

People seem to get too hung up about worm composting - forget everything you have read especially from people trying to sell you worm composters - it is incredibly easy and simple. The only time the system failed for me was when I was given a proprietary composter, which included worms, special feed and whatnot, and the worms just got the hell out of there.

No all you need is something like a dustbin or steel or plastic drum with a lid. Drill some small holes around the sides about 6" from the bottom. Put all your vegetable and fruit waste in, perhaps a little newspaper but go easy on meat scraps and no hard twigs, wood, etc. If the bin is outside in your garden the brandling worms (the little red ones) will arrive and start their work and start breeding. You do not have to buy worms! (at least not in a temperate climate, they simply 'arrive').

Perhaps if it is extremely cold in winter where you are some insulation/protection maybe necessary - it's not necessary in London.

So what could be simpler, put your veg waste into a dustbin with somes holes in it and when its full, start a new bin, within a few months the first will be completely converted to a beautiful rich compost. And this compost is extremely rich, so use carefully, mixing it with other things, leafmold, sand, loam, etc for most uses, potting etc and your plants will thrive.

Delete post

[Thomzo]

Absolutely, that's what I've done. An old dustbin with a water butt tap on it, great compost and great feed as well.

Cheers
Zoe