Vermicomposting turn your kitchen and garden scraps into amber — well , ignominious amber , to be accurate ! However , setting up a dirt ball bin and getting it right is n’t as straightforward as it might seem .
A common blunder , like overfeeding your worms , is just the beginning . From select the incorrect proportion of worms to waste to letting your bin turn anaerobiotic , there ’s a host of pit that could go to a smelly , soggy , and glitch - razz mickle .
It ’s sluttish to make these mistakes , but being cognisant of them can significantly better your compost success . No motive to worry , though — I’m here to help you pilot these coarse booby trap .
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In this blog station , I ’ll unveil the top five vermicomposting mistakes . Even better , I ’ll provide practical summit to facilitate you stave off them , ensuring that your insect bin does more than just survive — it flourish , providing you with the effective possible compost for your garden .
Let ’s get bug out and turn those scrap into garden treasure !
What is Vermicomposting?
Vermicomposting is essentially hold a feast for worms to let out down your organic kitchen leftovers . Picture a snug binful where these lively wigglers munch on potato peels , eggshell , and coffee grounds . Watch as they go their magic , transform everyday throwaways into rich , dark compost satiate with nutrients like atomic number 7 , phosphorus , and atomic number 19 , along with beneficial microorganisms that raise soil wellness .
But there ’s more to it than just compost . The operation also produces “ worm juice , ” a nutrient - packed liquidity that collect at the bottom of your bin . This liquid gold can be used as a hard plant food , give seedlings and vegetable transplant in your garden or diagram a substantial growth boost .
Here ’s the near part : vermicomposting is more than just good for your plants ; it ’s a win for the environs too . Your kitchen scraps realize a 2d life as a innocent , raw plant food , edit down on CO2 emissions that would have come from burning them . Engaging in this simple , year - round activity reduce waste and contributes positively to the environment . Plus , it ’s strong to beat the expiation of turning less trash into more garden treasure !
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Choosing the Wrong Type of Worms
Choosing the right worms is key in vermicomposting . Not all worm are up to the task . You ca n’t just toss any earthworm into your compost bin and have a bun in the oven them to perform . That would be like necessitate me to win a marathon without education — a definite no - go !
The MVPs of composting are the red wigglers , Eisenia foetida , along with their cousins , theEisenia andrei . These worms excel because they prefer to live near the surface , making them ideal for compost bins . They continue where the food for thought is , expeditiously go against down your scrap .
Why do I keep a mix of both character in my bank identification number ? Here ’s the lowdown on why they ’re the perfect duo :
By invalidate the wrong type of worms , you dodge a major composting mishap . intrust me , the last matter you want is a bin full of worm that favor hide - and - seek over snacking on your scraps . Stick with these vermiculture champion , and your compost bin will be as alert and fat as a beehive — minus the insect bite , of class !
Not Balancing Organic Waste Intake
Managing the balance of constituent wasteland in your vermicompost bin is crucial . I always remind myself that worms need a balanced diet of greens and browns — much like us , they flourish on variety . Aim for an even mix : about half nitrogen - rich “ greens ” such as vegetable scraps , fruit oddment , and coffee grounds , and half carbon paper - intemperate “ browns ” like shredded newspaper and dried leave .
If you tend too heavily on Green , the bin can quickly become soggy and smelly . It ’s akin to a party that only serves desserts : delightful initially , but soon everyone ’s feeling a little off . Conversely , an excess of browns might slow down the compost process , much like a party running out of food .
Rule of Thumb for Feeding Your Worms :
Keep an oculus on the balance . If the compost get too damp or starts to smell , it ’s a signal to add more Brown . Maintaining a electroneutral pH around 7 continue the insect content . If the compost becomes too acidulous , tossing in a handful of eggshells can knock off it , creating a everlasting environment for your worms .
Regarding worm health , steer absolved of dairy farm , core , Allium sativum and onions — these are a no - go for worm . By avoiding such item , you ensure a symmetrical ecosystem in your binful , allow your worm to flourish effortlessly .
Don’t Worry About Humidity and Ventilation
When I started vermicomposting , I promptly realize the importance of supervise humidity and ventilation . It ’s a tidy sum like guarantee your deary is hydrate without being inundate ! Worms need a moist surroundings , ideally like a dampish parasite at 75 - 85 % humidity . If their bedding dries out , they become sulky and your compost suffers .
Here ’s a warm fix ! If your bin is too teetotal , just mist some pee over it . If it feel too fuddled , like a swampland , add ironic material such as shred paper or cardboard to pawn up the excess wet . conform the moisture tier is that simple . Ventilation is equally important . Think of it as needing a breeze in a stuffy elbow room ; without it , you ’ll get bad odors and unwanted gases . To ensure good air flow , I position my insect bin in a fleck with natural melody bm , or sometimes leave it partially loose for some fresh atmosphere .
Always retrieve , the comfort of your worms is key — they’re the main part in your vermicomposting story . With a bit of care in these areas , you ’re all set for a thriving insect bin and top - notch compost !
Expose the Worm Composter to Heat or Cold
Worm compost thrives within a specific temperature spectrum , normally around 15 ° blow to 25 ° C . If I ’m not thrifty , exposing my lilliputian worm pal to rough conditions can spell trouble . They’re just not cut out for the blazing sunshine or the frozen tundra !
During the steamy month , it ’s all about keep things coolheaded . Shadeis the name of the biz , and I always make certain my vermicomposter is n’t savor in unmediated sunlight . I ’ll even befuddle in a bit of extraventilationto keep the air move . Heat can cause my worms to dehydrate quicker than a sponge in the desert , and I certainly do n’t desire that .
On the impudent side , when the winter winds blow , I ’m the worms ’ guardian against the biting low temperature . insulating material becomes super important , and sometimes I ’ll shift the composter to a garage or shed to stand off Jack Frost . wintry worm ? No , give thanks you !
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Here ’s a brisk summary to keep your worm family safe :
Remember , happy worms make for rich compost , and keeping an eye on the thermometer is one style I ensure they stay on cheerful !
Forgetting to Monitor its Proper Functioning
keep your worm composter on track is like being a wing manager : you ’ve got to keep everything running swimmingly to avoid a performance disaster . Here ’s how you could keep your show going without a tour :
Here are a few savvy bakshis to make certain your vermicomposting risky venture is a hit :
Written By
Amber Noyes was bear and raised in a suburban California town , San Mateo . She throw a master ’s degree in gardening from the University of California as well as a BS in Biology from the University of San Francisco . With experience working on an constitutional farm , water conservation research , farmers ’ market , and plant greenhouse , she understands what produce plants thrive and how we can better understand the connection between microclimate and plant wellness . When she ’s not on the land , Amber loves informing people of new thought / thing related to gardening , particularly organic gardening , houseplants , and rise plants in a small space .
