Monday, March 21, 2016

Vermicomposting 101

Vermicomposting 101

The optimal temperature for a worm bin is 55 to 75 degrees F.


A little about me

I started worm composting about 6 years ago while working at an elementary school as a teaching assistant, mainly to show the students how decomposition works.  It was a fun experience, and the students had a blast learning about worms.  I purchased my first worm bin to get started rather than making one.

Where I got my worms

I bought my first batch of worms from a bait shop, and they ended up being quite expensive when purchased in such small quantities.  My first batch of worms lasted four years- but I forgot to bring them inside one cold fall and they were no match for the Wisconsin winter.  My current batch of worms were purchased at a Garden Expo from Growing Power two years ago.  They are currently thriving!

Some of my favorite links about vermicomposting:

Worm bin basics

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/

Worm bin pests

This website describes various pests that you might see in your worm bin:
http://www.wormfarmingrevealed.com/wormfarmingpests.html
This website talks about little white worms that might appear:
http://www.wormfarmingsecrets.com/worm-pests-predators/white-worms-pot-worms-in-worm-composting/
Here is a website discussing mites:
http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/how-to-get-rid-of-worm-bin-mites/ 

Make your own worm bin

http://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/steps.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Worm-Compost-System

My adventures in worm composting

http://thiscountrylifewisconsin.blogspot.com/2013/03/working-with-worms.html 


2016 LGGG Vermicomposting Presentation