A whole new can of worms for gardeners
<p>Every year, people all over the world set their resolutions for the next 12 months and beyond. While some may not see them all the way through, most dive in with only the best intentions in mind. </p>
<p>And whether it’s because of a love of the outdoors, a desire to keep their hands busy on a free day, or even mounting climate anxiety, many take to gardening as a way to give their life a fresh spin. </p>
<p>A crucial part of that process? Composting. No matter the crop, composting boasts the growth of healthier and stronger plants. Additionally, it can improve the likes of soil density and its available nutrients, as well as discouraging all kinds of unwanted pests. </p>
<p>However, composting has not historically been everyone’s cup of tea. From the smell to the sheer effort, the fear of trying something new, space, flies, and so on, many have opted to steer clear of setting up their own station. </p>
<p>But any budding - or established - gardener need not fear, with new innovations in the art of composting making the entire process easier each and every day. </p>
<p>The latest trend helping gardener’s around the world find success is commercial vermiculture - better known as “worm farming”. </p>
<p>It is said that worm farming - or a similar practice - dates all the way back to Cleopatra VII’s reign. But modern practices, thankfully, prove much simpler, and much easier for the average to maintain at home. </p>
<p>While most organic materials leaving the home have the potential to become a nutritious dish of soil for the garden, it’s advised to avoid the likes of oil, meat, orange peels, dairy, pet waste, and plastic when first starting out. </p>
<p>So, with the materials likely already at hand, all it takes is someplace to put them - and that’s where the worms come in. </p>
<p>Worm farms (or worm composting systems) are the answer to a whole range of composting concerns, and are cited as being easy to maintain, taking minimal time and effort, and able to be installed in even small spaces. </p>
<p>Earthworms, reportedly, are even some of the fastest - and best - composters out there. They get to work converting organic household waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser for the garden in the form of worm castings (otherwise known as poo). These castings lead to worm tea, a natural liquid fertiliser that comes from soaking said castings in water. </p>
<p>To get started, a gardener needs somewhere for the worms to live and work. For those who want to dive right in, farms are readily available for purchase (like this <a href="https://www.bunnings.com.au/maze-worm-farm_p0137788" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian designed farm by Maze</a>, made from recycled materials, or <a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/product/3tray-worm-farm-with-legs-and-worms-copy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a kit with an additional tray and worms included</a>). </p>
<p>For gardeners after something of a larger scale, it’s possible to make a worm farm at home with an old bath or even a spare wheelie bin. These <a href="https://wormsdownunder.com.au/shop/140l-worm-habitat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be purchased</a> as well, but if craft is more your style, or you want to save a few dollars, then a quick Google search will provide a host of tutorials to follow. </p>
<p>The amount the worms will eat varies depending on a number of factors - how many worms are living there, the size of the farm itself, and environmental conditions such as the weather, as worms will typically eat less during the winter. </p>
<p>For food, the worms do require more than just the household waste - “bedding” that’s carbon-rich will go a long way for them, so make sure to keep a steady supply of the likes of shredded newspaper and cardboard on hand. For a little extra helping hand, <a href="https://tumbleweed.com.au/products/worm-blanket-rectangle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">worm blankets</a> can help to increase activity in the farm. </p>
<p>The four key levels to remember when structuring such a farm - from bottom to top - are the lining, the worm bedding, the food scraps/household waste, and the worm blanket/cover.</p>
<p>It’s important to note that regular garden worms will be no good for this process, as they’re surface feeders and won’t burrow deep into the soil like <a href="https://www.bunnings.com.au/worm-affair-live-organic-worm-starter-pack-approx-1000-worms_p3011353" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earthworms (or compost worms)</a> will. Top of their list of things to snack on are fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, grains, paper tea bags, coffee grounds, and newspapers.</p>
<p>Once a farm is up and running, and the worms’ castings have been collected, a successful gardener has multiple options at their disposal with the output. From using it in the garden for the soil or with mulch to helping when planting seeds, incorporating it into potting mix, and - of course - making it into some nutritious worm tea. </p>
<p><em>Images: Getty </em></p>
