Dear Laloo,
I peeked inside that mystery box that just arrived on the farm. There must be 1,000 worms in there! Wow. Fun! I think our friends may want the scoop on this worm bin and what it’s all about.
Why worms? Well, for compost of course! But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Vermiculture is the method of breaking down organic waste with the use of worms, most commonly the red worm. They are hermaphrodites, like snails, they each have eggs and sperm but need another worm. The band around the worm is called the citellium, aka egg sack and once pregnant, the egg sack slips off their body – up, over and off the top of their head. The little sac waits like a little yellow cocoon (it looks like a miniature lemon) and then on the big day out of this cocoon up to 20 worms can be hatched.
These small creatures serve a fantastic role and are vital to land and they multiply and grow like magic. These hungry critters will chomp right through vegetable scraps, shredded paper, coffee grounds, eggshells, pasta, bread, and even dryer lint making the most nutrient rich compost for your garden.
One pound of worms (about 1,000 worms) can eat up to half a pound of food per day depending on the conditions in the bin. Worms will even remain active in the colder months when a traditional compost pile would lie dormant.
Our worm bin is the product of Jessica Jones’ Compost Happens project. She found a direct correlation between the health of the earth and of humans in the garden and wrote about the positive effects of vermiculture for her Senior Thesis at Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm. Today, along with her father, Jessica makes worm bins.
Worm bins are quite easy to maintain and really fun! Vermiculture a wonderful addition to current composting or a great place to start.
You can learn more about composting and worm bins on Jessica’s site: http://www.freewebs.com/compostlady/
Laloo, the girls and I would like to hear more about what friends of Laloo’s are doing to help sustain the lush green meadows we so love to romp in!
Share your stories and discuss your tips for sustainability on our Facebook page: http://companies.to/laloosgoatsmilkicecream/
Sincerely yours,
Blossom
