Ok, all you recalcitrant composters—no more excuses about composting being too much work. Let worms do the work for you. And if you can’t stand the sight of the little wrigglers, just give the job to your nine year old. Kids love worms.
Worm composting--also known as vermicomposting--is easy. If you have an 18” x 24” space somewhere in your house for a worm bin, you can process ten and a half pounds of kitchen scraps per week. All those hard workers need is a dark, cozy home with plenty of food, moisture, oxygen, and a comfortable temperature (65-78 degrees). Just toss your kitchen scraps into the bin and in about two months, you’ll have nutrient-rich compost for your veggie or flower garden.
Worm castings (the finished product) are very good for the soil. They supply a perfect balance of minerals and nutrients, and improve soil structure, porosity, aeration, drainage and moisture-holding capacity. And good soil is what plants need to thrive.
Please note that not all earthworms are created equal. Sorry, you can't go dig up plain old worms from your back yard for your worm bin. The best species to use is Eisenia fetida (red wiggler). They can consume half their own weight in organic matter every day. The result is lots of black gold.
And there you have it—an easy, inexpensive and low-maintenance composting method. Do I need to mention that it’s environmentally friendly?
More info can be found at Cornell’s Worm Composting web page. If you prefer scientific lingo, go to A Comparison of Vermicomposting and Composting.
Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
Here's a heads up on an interesting event: On January 10, 2009, Mark Gormel (Horticultural Coordinator for The Brandywine Conservancy) will present The Seven Steps Toward Successful (and Ethical) Seed Collection. For more info, go to Habitat Resource Network.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
January 10, 2009
Plants by Mail
Mail order is an excellent way to purchase varieties of both common and unusual plants. There are many new web sites and plant catalogs that will make you a better gardener, all from the warmth of your home. Cost: $10
February 14, 2009
Seed Starting
Step by step procedures for growing seeds with great success. Cost: $10
The Garden Series at Haverford Township Adult School
A collection of one night classes for both the indoor and outdoor garden. Classes taught by Delaware County Master Gardeners. Take one, two or all five– and save. For more information, go to Haverford Adult School or call 610-446-8022.
Registration required for all events. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our web site for a registration form.
