In Latin, Vermes is the word for worms. Therefore, the word vermicomposting means to compost with worms. This is probably not what you were thinking. Most people that compost think of a giant pile of rubbish that they have built up over several months that is smoldering out in their backyard getting smaller and smaller each day. With vermicomposting, it takes a lot more skill than simply throwing stuff onto a pile. Here are a few tips that can help you out if you have decided to buy compost worms and start vermicomposting.
There are many positive aspects to the process of vermicomposting. Depending upon your orientation, you may be all for using the earth and all of its resources because they are there. Other people may believe that the earth needs to be conserved and that by adding more and more junk to our landfills, we will inevitably run out of room and pollute our children's children's world.
If you have a large household, it may be beneficial for you to give vermicomposting just to save a little bit of money. An enormous amount of organic waste goes out each and every day. Instead of taking this material and throwing it in the trash, if you have your worm bins all set up, you can drop this material into the bins and be rewarded in a few months with compost for your garden.
A byproduct of worm composting is called worm tea. This solution is made up of the same nutrients that are created from the processing of the food scraps, but it is in liquid form. Many people have a tap at the bottom of their bin that they can turn allowing the liquid to flow out and go into a container.
What most people do is they spray this solution onto the leaves of their plants and they will begin to see miraculous results in as little as a few hours. This solution is so vitamin and mineral rich that it empowers the plants to grow much more quickly and also allows them to create much more tasty fruits or vegetables.
Another thing about composting is that typically it is not a year-round process. If you have a lot of snow in your area, you know that having a composting pile is probably not going to work outside if it is 4° below zero. Vermicomposting, on the other hand, occurs within an enclosed area such as your garage for your kitchen. Therefore, you can generate and create compost all year long with out having to worry about the heat from your compost pile going down.
If you have children, they may like to play with worms. This could be a fun project for them not only creating the bin, but feeding the worms on a daily basis. I remember when I was younger I had a fish tank. I enjoyed feeding my fish as they would come up to the top and eat the food that I had sprinkled on the top of the water.
In the same way, red worms are also just below the surface of the dirt. They are waiting for food to be placed for them. It is their sole purpose in life. To process and produce. Therefore, once you buy compost worms and create an ideal environment for them to live in, they will be your best friends in regard to creating you the best compost ever.
