Vermicomposting 101: Plant and Soil Benefits of Vermicompost

by Steve | Dec 20, 2017 | Vermicompost, Vermicomposting 101 Series

Some of us start vermicomposting to divert our household or farm waste away from the waste stream, and that is a benefit by itself. But what about the end product? If you’re reading this, you’re probably already aware that vermicompost, which includes the...

A Really Cheap Way to Start a Worm Bin

by Steve | Oct 18, 2017 | Vermicompost, Vermiculture, Worm Bin

A few weeks back, I asked my e-mail list that I affectionately (and maybe indulgently?) call “Urban Worm Nation” how they’re all doing their vermicomposting. I am constantly amazed at how people used old refrigerators, discarded industrial equipment,...

Harvesting Worm Castings: Break Your Back or Break The Bank?

by Steve | Jul 29, 2017 | Vermicompost, Worm Bin, Worm Castings

I got the following question from Dawn F, a fellow worm composter from New York City. She writes: “Can you spend some time on how to harvest worm castings? I bought a small trommel screen and I gotta tell ya, it took half a day. Even the Worm Inn requires...

Worm Towers: Right Idea, But the Wrong Product?

by Steve | Jul 8, 2017 | Permaculture, Uncategorized, Vermicompost

Worm towers or worm tubes are an intriguing idea for turning food waste to worm castings.  Unlike worm composting, which requires the worms, bedding, and food to be placed in some enclosure only to require you to harvest the castings, the worm tower is a...

Vermicomposting 101: How to Start a Worm Bin

by Steve | Jun 22, 2017 | Vermicompost, Vermicomposting 101 Series, Worm Bin

Starting a new home worm bin is easy and only requires a bin, bedding, some food, and yes, the worms. Anyone can learn how to do it. But as I learned a few years ago, starting a successful, thriving home bin from scratch where worms won’t try to escape the first...

What Causes Protein Poisoning and What to Do About It

by Steve | May 31, 2017 | Vermicompost

A particularly devastating problem in a worm bin is protein poisoning, also called “string of pearls” or sour crop, evidenced by a serious deformation of the earthworms as their intestines rupture, inevitably killing the worm itself. So let’s check...