Posts Tagged ‘vermicompost’
Traditional Composting, Vermicomposting, and Bokashi: What’s the Difference?
Through our educational outreach, Solana Center strives to present our community with a range of options for diverting their food waste and creating healthy soil through composting. But sometimes, when presented with many choices, we can be left wondering, “What’s the right method for me?” In this article, we’ll explore some common composting practices to…
Read MoreWhich Composting Method is Right for You?
Have you ever wondered “what is the best composting method for me?” There are many options for how to personally deal with food waste and a lot of different factors to consider. Not everyone is ready to jump in headfirst with a pile or a worm bin (but if you are more power to you!)…
Read MoreClimate Solutions: Worm Bedding
Question: Why do I need bedding in my worm bin? Is it okay if I just give the worms my food scraps? Answer: Bedding, which can be made of shredded paper, coconut coir, cured manure, or dry leaves, is an absolute necessity in your worm bin. Supplying your wiggly workers with bedding has a number…
Read MoreComposting worms don’t like citrus or spicy foods – here’s why!
If you have a worm bin at home you may already know that red wriggler composting worms have a big appetite. Some would say that the way to a worm’s heart is through their stomach! But just like humans, worms have food preferences and favorites. As a general rule, scraps that you would normally put down the…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: How Can I Harvest My Worms’ Castings?
The ability to harvest small handfuls of worm castings as needed is a thing of composting beauty. However, in order to ensure that your vermicomposting system diverts the greatest volume of organic material and supports the healthiest worm population, it’s important to fully harvest and refresh the tray(s) every so often! You will know that…
Read MoreLearnings from a Master Composter Course
These observations were originally shared by Kaitlin Mitchell of Rutabega Education and have been edited for cohesiveness. Solana Center’s Master Composter courses are a unique opportunity to gain a more in-depth understanding of the art and science of the composting process and empower participants to share this knowledge and passion with others. One participant in…
Read MoreWorm Tea, Compost Tea & Leachate
Did you know that you can steep your finished compost or vermicompost in water to create a nutrient-rich liquid called “compost tea” that enriches soil and reduces plant pests and disease? Worm tea, a type of compost tea made from vermicompost, has the same benefits as worm castings but in liquid form. Castings are produced…
Read MoreHow to Save Your Worm Bins From Aggressive Ants
How do you save your worm bins from aggressive ants? To find the answer, we asked our summer college interns, Maddie and Kelly, to investigate. The worm bins at Solana Center recently experienced an increase in ant populations, possibly due to the decomposing food source and the moisture the bins provided. Although most species of ants will not harm…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: Why are my worms trying to escape?!
Question: Why are my worms climbing out of the bin and trying to escape? Answer: The Great Escape by your worms means there is an imbalance in the worm bin. If your bin becomes too acidic, too moist, too dry, too compact, full of rotting food, full of food they don’t like, too warm, too…
Read MoreDIY: Building Your Own Worm Bin & Getting Started Vermicomposting
Don’t think you have any room for traditional backyard composting at home? We hear that often from residents with small yards or who live in apartments or condos. Have you considered composting with a worm bin? Now, don’t make that face. Worm bins are easy, don’t smell, are a great way to recycle food, and…
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