Worm farms and composting
Worm farms and composting are great ways to reuse organic materials and provide nutrients for gardens as well as reducing landfill.
Easy worm farming guide
Take your leftovers and turn them into a rich soil-like substance called "castings".
Four easy steps to successful worm farming.
Choose the site
Worms don't like to get too hot, so make sure your worm farm or bed is in a well shaded spot.
Collect worm food
Worms like to eat food wastes like vegetable and fruit peelings, tea bags, crushed egg shells and bread. They also like small amounts of soiled paper and cardboard such as shredded egg cartons. Worms least favourite foods include dairy products, meat, fish, citrus and onions.
Make a worm farm or bed
You can buy a commercial worm farm, or build one with boxes or make a worm bed in your garden.
Typical dimensions for a worm box are 30cm deep, 60cm wide and 90cm long. The box must have holes in the base to allow air in and out for good drainage. The box should have a lid or be covered, plus it needs a tray underneath to catch liquid.
A combination of finished compost, leaves and paper, work best as bedding, about 10 to 15cm deep. Add between one and two thousand worms and start adding your kitchen waste regularly in small amounts.
Harvest worms
Harvest the worm castings by moving it all to one side, add fresh bedding to the empty side. Many of the worms will migrate to the fresh bedding. The worm castings can then be taken out and used. Hint: The liquid produced by your worm farm is full of nutrients which can be diluted and used on pot plants.
Easy composting guide
Reduce the amount of waste placed in your bin. Anything that is organic or plant matter can be composted and turned into nutrient-rich organic fertiliser.
Turning food and garden waste into compost can make a difference to our environment:
- reduces the amount of waste disposed
- reduces the use of artificial fertilisers
- improves local soil quality
- creates a more natural, healthier place to live
Follow these four easy steps to great compost.
Choosing the site
The ideal location for compost has good drainage and is well shaded in summer.
Decide what to compost
Most organic matter can be used in compost, including; fruit and vegetable scraps, newspapers, grass clippings, tea leaves, coffee grounds, egg shells, old putting mix, dead flowers, human and animal hair. Hint: Avoid placing meat or dairy products in your compost as they may attract vermin.
Building the compost
To build the compost start with a thick layer (15cm) of twigs or coarse mulch at the base for drainage. Then follow the easy three step formula:
- Thin layer of kitchen and green garden organics.
- Cover with a layer of brown garden organics.
- Moisten well. Then repeat 1,2,3
Maintaining your compost
It is important to add air to the compost so it doesn't smell. This can be done by occasionally turning it with a garden fork.
In just eightweeks your compost should be ready to use!
Easy compost fix-it guide
Smelly compost? Your compost can start to smell if it gets too wet or if there is not enough air in the heap. Fork in dry leaves or garden mulch. Garden lime, dolomite or woodfire ash added to the heap will also "sweeten" it. Turn the compost to get more air in.
Unwelcomed visitors? Ants, cockroaches, mice and rats can sometimes make your compost their home. Always ensure food in the heap is covered with a layer of green organics, then cover the heap with underfelt or hessian.
Compost too slow to mature? A slow compost system can mean that the compost is not hot enough, or there may be not enough air or water. Add nitrogen rich material, such as kitchen or green garden organics to speed up the composting process. Turn the heap and add water. Cover the compost with insulating material.