Vermicomposting or worm composting has gotten very popular. Setting up a bin is super easy, it just takes a trash can or stroage container, some shredded newspaper, a little water, the food scraps and of course, a pound or two of worms. So long as you do not overfeed your worm bin food scraps, you will have a healthy fresh smelling compost bin. The worms will acclimate and multiple which will require incremental increases in the amount of food scraps you give them.
If you would like to set up a worm bin please refer to our instructions at Setting Up Your Worm Bin.
The popularity of worm composting has increased so much that the American Chemical Society produced this informative video for the Washington Post explaining how earthworms aid in the decomposition of organic matter to produce nutrient-rich compost.
Some things I learned from this short video:
- Darwin wrote his last book about earthworms
- Earthworms have a gland that secretes calcium carbonate to help the worms digest the carbon-rich organic matter which reduces the amount of carbon thrown off into the atmosphere.
- Since earthworms don’t have teeth, they rely on their gizzard to crush and pulverize their food.
- Drilodefensins is an acid found in the gut of the earthworm that enables them to neutralize the poisons that make up parts of some plants.
All of this happens to create worm castings which is nutrient-rich plant and tree loving soil by another name.
Another fun fact: Earthworms consume a 100% fiber diet. If human were to do that, we get seriously constipated. But the worms can do it because their digestive system incorporates all the enzymes they need to breakdown the organic material.
If you have ever been curious about vermicompost or composting with worms, you must watch this short information packed video. You’ll never look at a worm with disgust again. These little creatures are powerhouse workers.
