About Us

Vermicomposting Composting is a natural process where kitchen and yard wastes decompose into a dark, nutrient-rich, earth-smelling soil. Perhaps you have considered backyard composting, but either live in a high-rise, or don’t relish the thought of tramping through your backyard in the middle of a winter blizzard. If so, vermicomposting is the answer for you. <img id="imgaboutus" src='http://static0.jadedpixel.com/s/files/1/0010/3662/files/worm_1s.jpg' alt='' width="215" height="161"/></a> What Is Vermicomposting? Vermicomposting is simply composting with worms. The best kind of earthworm to use is the red worm, or red wiggler. These voracious garbage-eaters live in a heavy plastic bin, surrounded by a moistened bedding material. They eat and expel their own weight every day (bedding and garbage). Even a small bin of red worms will yield pounds of rich, sweet-smelling vermicompost. Finished compost is ready to harvest in as little as two months. Red worms are extremely prolific. It takes about 3 weeks for fertilized eggs to develop in a cocoon, from which two or more young worms can hatch. Within a year, you will be giving worms away to friends, or ‘planting’ them in your garden or flower beds. Where Do I Keep A Worm Bin? A worm bin should be kept at room temperature. A heated basement or garage is ideal. During warmer months outdoors is acceptable. Position the bin to allow air to circulate around it. What Do I Feed Them? Red worms will eat just about any type of kitchen waste, including: fruits and vegetables, stale bread, pasta, rice, table scraps, peelings, leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, egg shells and shredded newspaper (vegetable ink only). Meats, fats, cooking oils, salt, vinegar, dairy products, or onions should not be included. <img id="imgaboutus" src='http://static1.jadedpixel.com/s/files/1/0010/3662/files/worm_2s.jpg' alt='' width="215" height="161" /></a> When Do I Feed Them? Red worms need to be fed once or twice a week – not every day. They can be left on their own for a few weeks, if adequately fed and watered. Actually, they prefer to be left by themselves most of the time! <img id="imgaboutus" src='http://static2.jadedpixel.com/s/files/1/0010/3662/files/worm_3s.jpg' alt='' width="215" height="130" /> What About Odour? Vermicomposting is aerobic (with oxygen), which is odourless. It is under anaerobic conditions (without oxygen) that unpleasant ordours are produced. The food waste should be covered lightly with some soil to maintain aerobic conditions, as well as eliminate unwanted pests such as fruit flies. Harvest The Finished Product? After two or three months, you will notice that the original bedding is no longer recognizable. It is now vermicompost, or worm castings. Working in bright light, mound the bedding into a pyramid, or dump the bin and make several small piles. The worms will move to the bottom of the pile(s). Start removing the castings a little at a time until you reach the worms at the bottom. Gather the worms, place them in a small container, and shade them from the light. Put new bedding into the bin, add the worms and feed. The cycle continues! How Can I Use The Finished Compost? Vermicompost is organic, non-burning, rich in nutrients, which builds the soil and helps retain moisture. Use the finished compost: as a cure for sickly house plants; in a soil mixture when repotting; as part of a seed-starting mixture; in a seed row when planting; a top dressing for lawns; perennial plant maintenance; or place it around shrubs and trees when transplanting – for any garden project! A new population of red worms may be started from the vermicompost as it is laden with egg cocoons and baby worms. This can be done by putting the vermicompost in an outdoor compost bin or pile where moisture, oxygen, soil and food are provided. The worms will trhive and multiply! <img id="imgaboutus" src='http://static3.jadedpixel.com/s/files/1/0010/3662/files/wormproduction215.jpg' alt='' width="215" height="161" />

2008-02-08T19:19:47-05:00

about-us 211522

2008-02-08T19:19:47-05:00

103662

About Us 2008-09-02T17:44:49-04:00 Vermicomposting Composting is a natural process where kitchen and yard wastes decompose into a dark, nutrient-rich, earth-smelling soil. Perhaps you have considered backyard composting, but either live in a high-rise, or don't relish the thought of tramping through your backyard in the middle of a winter blizzard. If so, vermicomposting is the answer for you. <img id="imgaboutus" src='http://static0.jadedpixel.com/s/files/1/0010/3662/files/worm_1s.jpg' alt='' width="215" height="161"/></a> What Is Vermicomposting? Vermicomposting is simply composting with worms. The best kind of earthworm to use is the red worm, or red wiggler. These voracious garbage-eaters live in a heavy plastic bin, surrounded by a moistened bedding material. They eat and expel their own weight every day (bedding and garbage). Even a small bin of red worms will yield pounds of rich, sweet-smelling vermicompost. Finished compost is ready to harvest in as little as two months. Red worms are extremely prolific. It takes about 3 weeks for fertilized eggs to develop in a cocoon, from which two or more young worms can hatch. Within a year, you will be giving worms away to friends, or 'planting' them in your garden or flower beds. Where Do I Keep A Worm Bin? A worm bin should be kept at room temperature. A heated basement or garage is ideal. During warmer months outdoors is acceptable. Position the bin to allow air to circulate around it. What Do I Feed Them? Red worms will eat just about any type of kitchen waste, including: fruits and vegetables, stale bread, pasta, rice, table scraps, peelings, leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, egg shells and shredded newspaper (vegetable ink only). Meats, fats, cooking oils, salt, vinegar, dairy products, or onions should not be included. <img id="imgaboutus" src='http://static1.jadedpixel.com/s/files/1/0010/3662/files/worm_2s.jpg' alt='' width="215" height="161" /></a> When Do I Feed Them? Red worms need to be fed once or twice a week - not every day. They can be left on their own for a few weeks, if adequately fed and watered. Actually, they prefer to be left by themselves most of the time! <img id="imgaboutus" src='http://static2.jadedpixel.com/s/files/1/0010/3662/files/worm_3s.jpg' alt='' width="215" height="130" /> What About Odour? Vermicomposting is aerobic (with oxygen), which is odourless. It is under anaerobic conditions (without oxygen) that unpleasant ordours are produced. The food waste should be covered lightly with some soil to maintain aerobic conditions, as well as eliminate unwanted pests such as fruit flies. Harvest The Finished Product? After two or three months, you will notice that the original bedding is no longer recognizable. It is now vermicompost, or worm castings. Working in bright light, mound the bedding into a pyramid, or dump the bin and make several small piles. The worms will move to the bottom of the pile(s). Start removing the castings a little at a time until you reach the worms at the bottom. Gather the worms, place them in a small container, and shade them from the light. Put new bedding into the bin, add the worms and feed. The cycle continues! How Can I Use The Finished Compost? Vermicompost is organic, non-burning, rich in nutrients, which builds the soil and helps retain moisture. Use the finished compost: as a cure for sickly house plants; in a soil mixture when repotting; as part of a seed-starting mixture; in a seed row when planting; a top dressing for lawns; perennial plant maintenance; or place it around shrubs and trees when transplanting - for any garden project! A new population of red worms may be started from the vermicompost as it is laden with egg cocoons and baby worms. This can be done by putting the vermicompost in an outdoor compost bin or pile where moisture, oxygen, soil and food are provided. The worms will trhive and multiply! <img id="imgaboutus" src='http://static3.jadedpixel.com/s/files/1/0010/3662/files/wormproduction215.jpg' alt='' width="215" height="161" />