One thing that makes worm composting so enjoyable is how easy it is to get started. A lot of DIY organic gardeners out there are drawn to the idea of worm composting because it doesn’t cost much, it doesn’t require a lot of your time, and it’s a great way to reuse food waste that would otherwise be thrown away in the trash.
Sound interesting? I haven’t even begun to talk about the benefits of the compost yet! Compost is the keystone of organic gardening. If you want your plants to grow bigger, produce more and look lush and healthy, then worm composting is the answer.
Anyone can begin worm composting, and it might surprise you to know that you might have almost everything you need to build a worm composting system that works like a charm! For everything else that you don’t have, Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm has it all. We have everything ranging from kitchen compost carriers and pails to complete worm composting kits!
To help you sort through the myriad of supplies out there and get what you need, I want to break down some of the vermicomposting equipment for you.
The Equipment You Need
This can be narrowed down to the following question; what do the worms need? The answer is super simple.
- Food – worms need to eat just like any other living organism, except worms can eat up to half of their own weight! Don’t worry though, they’re slow eaters and if you’re anything like me then you have plenty of organic food waste to send their way to keep them happy and productive.
- Shelter – worms need a place to live, and luckily for you, they aren’t too picky about what kind of unit they live in! Ideally, they like any kind of shallow plastic container that admits air and can be covered to keep them in the dark. You can repurpose any old plastic container you have laying around the house for this or you can order one of our inexpensive kits that includes multiple trays for maximum productivity! Worms need to be kept cool, but not freezing cold. When temperatures drop below 55 degrees Farenheit, the worms will become less productive.
- Maintenance – Worms need a moist environment to not only thrive, but survive. Since they breathe through their skin, they must be kept moist, but not too moist. A moisture meter can help you gauge how much water to add to your peat moss, shredded newspaper and other bedding material. Every so often, it’s important to collect the worm castings and add new bedding for the little crawlers. Improper maintenance can lead to a stinky composting unit or dead worms.
