How Does Your Garden Grow: It’s All About The Worms

I can’t believe I have been gardening for so many years and have never learned about this until recently.

I have tried to have a compost pile many times, and it just never worked out. Either the dogs got in it, or I gagged to death trying to stir it. Yuck.

But any gardener knows that compost is a gardeners gold. Right?

So, when I was shown a way to compost in a way that was fast (3months), didn’t stink, was low maintenance, and kind of fun, I was some excited.

And how does this work?

It’s easy. Worms.

And they eat my garbage and make me compost. There is even a book on the subject.The fancy name for it is vermiculture.

Not just any worm though. They are called Red Wiggler Worms, and they are very special.  And they are by far the easiest pets we have ever had. And did I mention they don’t cost anything to keep?

Here is what the little darlings look like :

I know it seems gross, but seriously is it any grosser than having garbage fermenting outside?

A friend gave me some worms, and we picked up a $3 rubbermaid container at Walmart. I have been doing this for about a month now, and I still can’t get over how easy it is. Or that this is the first time I have ever heard of it.

So if you want to get started, here is a bunch of info I dug up for you:

A brochure that briefly explains everything is here (pdf file) and another overview is here

Here is a great website of how to get started.

A tutorial for setting up your bin and here is a another good tutorial for setting up  your bin. I didn’t do two bins like they did, as I only have a few worms. I got the smallest rubbermaid container they sold for now.

And if you want worms, I am told that they are several gardeners who will abundantly share with you. If you contact your local county extension office they may be able to direct you. They do sell them also, and  you can find suppliers through localharvest.org. They are actually people who farm these worms as a business. I think my son may have a future here. He spends hours digging up worms in the yard and is fascinated with our new little friends!

As for my garden, well out of the past 7 days 5 of them have been rainy. It is holding on, and we are getting a few days of sun, so I am hoping and praying all my plants are alright!

Now its your turn. How does your garden grow? And tell me, am I the only one who has never heard of worm composting?

Tagged as: Gardening, vermiculture, worm composting