Earthworms, of which there are two varieties that are used, are great for producing Earthworm Castings and compost.
So, let's find out how to make a worm bin and get started making worm poop
A wood container is the best kind to use for a worm bin. This can be one you build yourself or a drawer from an old dresser or chest you are throwing away.
Drill holes in the bottom of your container for drainage. Placing a pan underneath will catch liquid fertilizer for plants. Set up the inside with strips of damp newspaper, straw that has been chopped up or fall leaves.
There should also be some sand - just a couple of cups - to allow the worms to be able to digest their food.
The best two kinds to use are either ( RedWiggler ) (Eisenia foetida) or red earth worms (Lumbricus rubellus). The number you put into your wooden box will depend upon the amount of waste you are planning to put in the box. The suggested proportion is for every pound of food per day, 2,000 worms are needed.
The food scraps need to be vegetable peels, egg shells that have been mashed, fruit skins, coffee grounds and tea bags. The scraps should be kept to this type of products since meat or grains will attract pests that you do not want.
When placing it in the box, scoop some of the bedding to the side, place the scraps in and cover them up with the bedding. This will keep flies away.
Using the earthworm castingsUsing redwiggler earthworms, is a great way to compost and produce a fertilizer that will make your soil rich and more productive. It can be used for your house plants by mixing it with potting soil.
The placement of the compost on gardens by either mixing it in the soil or putting it on top of the soil will have great results. You will enjoy the healthier looking plants as they pull the nutrients from the soil.
The compost may also be spread on lawns to help condition the soil. Using this compost is an excellent way of maintaining a rich and fertile soil for growing practically anything.
The compost may also be used as mulch either in the garden or for your houseplants. Who would have ever thought this small creature that is blind, by the way would have such as huge role in the environment?
Worm loosens packed soil, dilutes toxins, takes care of organisms we cannot even see that will cause disease in plants and creates a compost that is one of the richest found.
All of this without the need for manufactured compost saves on the use of non-renewable resources of the earth by utilizing one of our natural resources that are plentiful.
Problems with Your Compost?A common problem that turns people off the idea of creating an compost bin is the smell. But this can be eliminated by following a few simple steps. The most common reason for the smell is the compost does not have enough oxygen.
This can be taken care of quite simply. All you have to do is cut down on the amount of scraps you are putting in the bin. The food sits too long if there is too much. The worms have to have time to eat the waste.
Sometimes the bins will have too much acidic food placed in them especially if you are a big fruit eater. If your earthworms start to crawl up the sides of the bin, this may be a problem. Adjust the amount of citric peels you are using and adding a little garden lime will help immensely.
The whole process of getting the castings and compost from your bin takes about two months. As long as you keep the scraps to a minimum, everything should be fine.
You cannot overload the earthworms or you will end up with a big mess. The process that it takes to end up with the rich dark soil you will use to help your plants grow and stay healthy will be worth the effort.
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To some adults, they are slimy creatures they want to stay clear of. Many children on the other hand find them irresistible weapons to scare other children with, especially their sisters. However, to a serious gardener they are worth their weight in gold.
Benefits of worms on plants Worms are underground dwelling creatures. Deep, dark tunnels are where most of their time is spent. Knowing this, Earthworms should be kept out of sunlight and heat. After a rain is one-occasion they can be seen above ground. The worm is active below the grounds surface. This is where they feed on organic material and soil inside their mined tunnels. Underground the worms feed on leaf, lawn and other organic debris. As foods are digested their nutrient rich waste is deposited back into the earth enriching it with essential plant nutrients.In soil where worms are present higher concentrations of nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and phosphates are found. Earthworm castings is the term used to describe earthworm waste.
Many experts agree the riches soils of the world are made-up mostly of worm castings. As they move about below the surface they break-up hard soil allowing air, water and nutrients to reach plant roots.
1. Rake-up leaves and grass clipping into a pile. Thoroughly wet down the pile and keep it out of direct sun. The critters don?t like sunlight and need to stay moist to survive. Mulch can also be used to attract the worm.
2. Regularly add kitchen scraps to the compost pile. Instead of just tossing them on the top of the pile, bury them 6 inches beneath the surface. Watermelon, cantaloupe, lettuce, horse manure, and coffee grounds all make good food for the critters.
3. You should regularly add organic material to the compost pile. What you don?t want in pile is anything treated with insecticides or synthetic fertilizers. These chemical will be absorbed through the worms skin leading them to an easily death.
To answer the question Are redwigglers good for plants, yes they are. You can buy earthworms on line if they don?t find their way to your pile.
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