All in all, worms give out more than they get. Somehow, in the gut of the worm, decomposing vegetative matter comes out more nutrient rich than it went in. Vermicompost, or worm compost, is 7 times more rich in plant nutrients than compost created by bacteria and fungus, according to Barbara Pleasant of Mother Earth News.
Worm compost, or castings can be purchased, or worms can be raised in bins. However, during the growing season, worms can be made comfortable in the garden, where they will spread their castings free of charge.
What are Red Wiggler Worms?
The best type of worms to use for casting production are red wiggler worms or Eisenia foetida. These type of worms live close to the top of the soil, unlike deep-burrowing night crawlers. Red wigglers can also eat their body weight or more every day.
How To Keep Red Wiggler Worms
Contrary to popular belief, red wiggler worms do not eat the garbage they are fed. Instead, they feed on the bacteria which break down the garbage they are fed. So, in order to feed the worms, a composting system which stays cool must be set up. As mentioned earlier, a bin is often used for this.
Can Red Wiggler Worms Live In My Garden?
Red wiggler worms will live in your garden during the warmer months. As they do so, they will spread castings throughout the garden. To keep the worms happy and reproducing, they will need to be fed.
What is a Worm Tower?
A worm tower is essentially a feeding station for worms. Worms will enter the tower to feed, and exit the tower to roam the garden.
Take a large PVC drain pipe about 3 feet long and drill 1/2 to 3/4 inch holes in the lower 2 feet. Pound the pipe into the garden deep enough to cover the holes with soil. Add a pound or so of red wiggler worms into the pipe. Add kitchen scraps or other vegetative matter into the pipe. Cover the pipe with screen to keep out flies and other pests.
Feeding the Worms
Every week or so, add more kitchen scraps to the pipe. Add water if necessary. Everything should be nice and moist like a sponge. The scraps and vegetation will decompose. The worms will feed on it, and the garden will be fertilized.
What Happens To Worms In the Winter?
If outdoor temperatures get below freezing, the red wiggler worms will not survive. If winters are fairly mild, with few freezing nights, a heavy mulch over the garden might save the worms. Give them a good layer of vegetative matter to rot and feed on over the winter. Then cover with a heavy layer of straw or other mulch.
Worms can be corralled and kept in bins over the winter. To do this, feed as scheduled. A day or so after a feeding, pull out the tower and gather up all the food and worms. Put the tower back in place with new food. Place corralled worms in a bin. Do this repeatedly until no more worms show up in the food in the outdoor garden.
If nights are chilly, worms will be attracted to heat. Try placing plastic gallon jugs of water near the tower. The water will hold heat overnight. Early in the morning, check under the jugs for heat-seeking worms.
This summer, let worms lighten your workload.
Cassandra Truax - Cassandra might be considered a jack of all trades. Starting out with a BA in Spanish with a minor in Environmental Studies, she decided ...
