NATURAL LIVING: Worm Bins

I wonder how many of you Natural Mama’s have your own Worm Bins in operation? Those who do, will know fully about the positives of worm compost and how to go about it all, but for those who don’t, here’s a little information:

• “The castings  (otherwise known as excreta or vermicompost) produced by worms are the purest and most perfect form of plant food. In addition to containing unusually high populations of beneficial microorganisms crucial to healthy root systems, castings also naturally aerate the soil, retain high moisture levels, and release nutrients slowly over time to meet your plants needs.” – Soil Secret
• “Worm compost is THE premier food source, which is odour free, safe, organic and mirrors nature, the way it should be!” – Eco Worm Farms

• “Castings can naturally improve the look and health of your plants, stimulate flowering and fruiting, and produce larger harvests. Studies have shown several types of pests and diseases being eliminated naturally. As an organic product, these benefits can all be achieved without fear of burning your plants, or harming the environment. – Soil Secret

• “You can compost food scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, pulverized egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds. It is advisable not to compost meats, dairy products, oily foods, and grains because of problems with smells, flies, and rodents. No glass,plastic or tin foil. To avoid fly and smell problems, always bury the food waste by pulling aside some of the bedding, dumping the waste, and then cover it up with the bedding again. Bury successive loads in different locations in the bin.” – City Farmer
• “The compost can be mixed with potting soil and used for houseplants and patio containers. It is an excellent mulch (spread in a layer on top of the soil) for potted plants. If it is screened, it can be added for potting mixes for seedlings, and finely sprinkled on a lawn as a conditioner. lt can be used directly in the garden or vegetable patch, either dug into the soil or used as a mulch.” – City Farmer

What I love about our little Worm Bin system is that so much of our kitchen waste is being used. We don’t put citrus peels, chilli, garlic or onion into the bins, but pretty much every other type of fruit and vegetable. Because of this, and our recycling bin, not very much goes into our ordinary waste. As you’ve read above, the compost that is created by the worms is of such a high quality, you can’t not notice the results when you use it.

To  find out more, and to buy worm bins in South Africa, take a look here, here and here, or to make your own, see here. Have fun!