We’ve had a several posts on composting, including one on an experiment with worm or vermicomposting. Some advantages to composting with worms (if you aren’t squeamish) is that they convert the waste to rich, usable soil faster than conventional methods. Also, because the castings from the worms have a mucous coating, the nutrients are released into the soil over time instead of right away. Here are a few other interesting bits about the little guys and the work they do.
- Earthworms can eat their own weight in organic material every day.
- Worm populations double each month.
- Worm castings contain: 5 times more nitrogen, 7 times more phosphorous, and 11 times more potassium than plain soil.
- How to make compost tea or liquid fertilizer: take 2 tablespoons of vermicompost, add to 1 quart of water and let stand a day. Voila!
- Vermicomposting can be done year round vs. outdoor composting, which is more difficult to keep going in the cold months due to the decreased activity of decomposers.
* Also, be sure not to confuse hummus with humus!
