Wormeries are remarkable for making compost out of kitchen waste.
They not only create a fine textured super rich compost but also a liquid feed which can be drained and collected from the bin.
The worms
Brandling worms (Eisenia Fetida) are the stars of the show, they thrive in food waste. Do not be tempted to try and use ordinary earth worms as they would not survive in such a nutrient rich atmosphere. You can find brandling worms in the compost heap usually nearer the bottom but if you want to start a wormery, you will need at least 300 young worms which can thankfully be bought online and usually come ready supplied with any wormery bin you buy.
Where to buy your wormery
There are some well tested models out there, try looking at:
How to use your wormery
- Place it in a cool area out of the sun, worms do not like the heat or light
- Start gradually, the food needs to start decomposing in the bin before the worms will be able to eat it
- Slowly add waste food if you add too much, the food will rot and start to smell
- Always leave space for a bedding area with no food in it – they don’t like to sleep in it
- Chop up larger pieces of waste
- Use cooked and raw food
- Feed the worms little and often
What can the worms eat?
- Fruit and veg waste – not citrus fruit, it’s too acidic
- Tea leaves and coffee grounds
- Cooked food scraps
- Meat and fish scraps
- Shredded and torn up paper and card
- Cheese
What the worms don’t eat
- Garden waste and grass cuttings – compost normally in a compost bin
- Bread – goes mouldy
- Onions – too acidic for worms
If managed properly the bin will not smell however if it does have an odour then check you are not overfeeding as the waste may be going off before the worms can eat it.
In the Winter
Your worms will slow down and eating less so make sure you reduce the amount of food you give them. Shelter the bin if possible in a shed or garage or wrap the bin with a gardening fleece or some bubble wrap.
