Get a wiggle on

26 Dec 2017

Why not build a worm farm to create a nutrient-rich fertiliser for your garden?

Worm farms are great for either apartment or house living. They can easily be tucked away on a balcony or under a tree, they don’t smell and they don’t attract vermin. They are also simple and easy to maintain. By creating a worm farm, you are not only reducing food waste going to landfill, but also contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

1.         Where to start
There are a number of worm farms available from hardware shops; the size and shape you choose will depend on the number of people in your household and how much space you have. The location of your worm farm is important – worms are affected by temperature, so you’ll need to fi nd somewhere with shade.  They also like moisture and need to be kept damp and cool.

2.         A tidy house
Most worm farms are a tiered system, consisting of a number of trays. The bottom tray collects the liquid fertiliser. This liquid is rich in nutrients and is a treat for your garden. A tap connected to this bottom tray allows you to access your fertiliser quickly and easily.  The tray on top is where you put your food scraps. It has a lid to prevent odour, although there shouldn’t be any unpleasant smells if you feed your worms correctly.

3.         Feed them well
Worms will generally be happy with whatever you feed them, however there are certain foods you should avoid – meat, dairy, citrus, garlic and onions. They might not be appetising to us, but eggshells, coffee grounds, hair, fingernails, and vegetable and fruit scraps will have your worms wiggling with joy. Just make sure all scraps are chopped up as it takes time for worms to get through large, dense items. Three to four cups of chopped food scraps once a week is a perfect amount.

4.         Worm castings
A worm farm isn’t just a way to get rid of fruit and vegetable waste – it will also provide you with liquid fertiliser and worm castings (a solid-like sludge), which can be used as a soil conditioner. They are easy to put together and can be placed in the shady areas you don’t often use.  Try placing some shade-loving plants on top of your worm farm to make it a more attractive planting area!

TOP TIPS:

In summer, make sure you spray the inside of your worm farm with water to keep it moist. In winter, cover the inside with cardboard, hessian or an old towel to keep your worms warm.

The liquid that comes out of your worm farm will be highly concentrated, so make sure you dilute before putting on your garden.