When you want to dispose of organic waste in an environmentally friendly manner and nourish your soil, there is no better way than using red wigglers to compost it. These oversized insects will quickly munch your kitchen scraps and yard waste into high-quality vermicompost which can enhance soil structure and plant health naturally. Here we will provide the ultimate starter guide to how to begin with red wigglers, the benefits and tips and tricks to get you going!
Composting: Which Worms to Use?
Red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) love to live in compost bins and can consume everyday up to half their body weight in organic matter; something you certainly won't find in a regular earthworm. Their castings (worm manure) are nutrient-dense with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and an excellent addition to the soil in gardens. These worms also mitigate soil compaction and promote root growth because they help aerate the soil.
Why You Should Be Using Red Wigglers For Composting:
Fast Composting: Red wigglers speed up the composting process, converting kitchen scraps into compost much quicker.
Better Soil Fertility: Worm castings are a source of beneficial microbes that help improve soil health and plant growth.
Sustainable Gardening: Vermicomposting is a process of converting organic waste to nutrient-rich topsoil and reduces the contribution to landfills resulting in lesser greenhouse gases.
Organic Pest Prevention: Plants grown in healthy soil that have been provided with vermicompost are generally stronger, allowing them to be more resistant to the threats of pests and disease.
Getting Started with Red Wiggler Composting
Choose a Composting Bin
Begin with a structured composting bin that provides sufficient aeration to ensure proper composting practices making your full setup a makeshift home for red wigglers for composting. You can buy a worm bin or create one out of a plastic container with holes on the bottom for drainage.
Select the Right Bedding
Selecting the right bedding:
Shredded newspaper or cardboard (no glossy paper)
Coconut coir
A small amount of garden soil
Some Crushed Eggshells (Good for keeping the pH level balanced)
Introduce the Red Wigglers
When using a bin, begin with a minimum of 500 red wigglers (if not thousands), depending on the size of your bin. Just put them on top of your bedding and let them settle down by themselves.
Feed Your Worms the Right Way
Red wigglers eat organic items like:
Fruit and vegetable peels (banana peels, lettuce, apple cores).
Coffee grounds and filters.
Crushed eggshells.
Tea bags (no plastic staples)
Avoid feeding them:
Oranges and Onions (acidic and irritate worms)
Meat, dairy products and oily foods (can attract pests)
Processed or salty foods
Start feeding your worms in small amounts and see how quickly they eat the scraps. If you overfeed then it could create some smell and mold.
Maintain the Ideal Conditions
To maintain optimal conditions for worm activity, keep the following in check:
Temp: 55-77°F (13-25°C)
Humidity: The bedding should be like a wet sponge
Aeration: Give the bed a good stir now and then to keep it from packing down
Collecting and Applying Vermicast
After the worms consumed most of the organic matter, you can then collect your wonderfully fertile worm castings. Here’s how:
Do not give any food to the worms for 1 week.
Create space for the worms and put new food to the side of the bin
Take your ready to go compost from one side and place it from your garden beds or potted plants here.
Vermicompost helps in soil fertility, allows moisture in soil and slow-release nutrients to help plants grow in a healthy manner.
Common Problems and Solutions
Odor Issues? Minimize food scraps and incorporate dry bedding materials such as shredded boxes.
Fruit Flies? Put food remains under the bedding and close the lid?
Worms Escaping? Make sure you are getting enough moisture and ventilation.
Conclusion
Composting with red wigglers is a sustainable, rewarding method for enhancing your soil while disposing of your food waste. Vermicomposting is a simple environmental practice to adopt as a home gardener or eco-conscious person. Are you ready to have your very own worm bin and enjoy the benefits of healthier plants and the planet?
Hungry Worms supplies premium-grade red wigglers for composting and knows what you need to make it work. Check out our site to get started and for more information on composting!