WHAT IS A WORMERY?

A wormery, sometimes known as a worm composter, is an organic method of breaking down suitable kitchen and garden waste. However using worms as part of the natural process not only speeds up natural decomposition by digestion, it also significantly increases the comparative levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and humic acids.

Tiger worms

Worms have evolved to become nature’s natural composters and because they never sleep they are producing compost all the time. Depending on the right conditions, they can eat and digest between half and all of their body weight in a single day, converting waste into nutrient-rich worm casts. This process can quickly reduce the bulk of the organic waste by up to 80%.

Typically, a wormery is an enclosed unit made from several separate - but linked – compartments stacked in a column. The unit houses live worms together with any organic waste that is supplied. More organic matter is added over time which will give you a mixture of processed compost in varying stages of decomposition. The upper-most compartment is normally covered with a simple, damp, degradable ‘blanket’ to help retain the warmth and moisture content within the compost. This can be a section of natural fiber matting, an old towels, or even an old newspapers or similar. The unit is topped with a lid perforated with tiny breather holes, and the compartments are linked in such a way that the worms are able to pass from compartment to compartment as they please.

Not only will a wormery supply an excellent quality of compost, it will also produce a nutritious and concentrated liquid fertilizer. To collect this liquid feed the wormery will need to be raised from the floor with a container placed underneath beneath a suitably sized and positioned hole. Once collected, this can be used as a liquid feed but it will need to be diluted at an approximate 1:10 rate with water.

For related articles click onto the following links:
ALL ABOUT WORMERIES
HOW TO COMPOST
Do Worms Have Eyes
HOW AND WHAT DO WORMS EAT?
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