Many gardeners appreciate the numerous benefits of composting. A good compost bin can provide you a rich source of "black gold" to fertilize your plants and condition your soil.
At the same time, composting helps the environment. That is because yard debris, table scraps and other suitable items end up in the compost bin rather than your local landfill.
Fewer gardeners have heard about worm composting. Here at DripWorks, we are still occasionally asked about the benefits of worms in compost and other starter questions, so we are ready with expert answers.
Should I Put Worms in My Compost Bin?
The quick answer is that in general, worms can help speed the composting process that turns scraps and debris into usable garden conditioner. Some types of worms consume and digest rotting vegetables and other matter you put into the bin. They excrete material in a form your plants can use as nutrients.
In addition, many kinds of worms can benefit your compost pile because they tunnel through it. This tunneling process helps aerate your compost pile. That makes it easier and faster for the beneficial bacteria to grow and break down scraps and debris you are composting.
Which Worms to Use
What are the best worms for composting? Red wigglers are considered tops. That is because they thrive on eating rotting vegetative material. They can help enrich the compost pile and speed its decomposition.
So, do you put worms in compost bin containers? There are types that are designed for it, like the Worm Factory, but other bins will work with worms too. With red wigglers, at least, the answer is yes for almost any compost bin. Generally, you will have to purchase this type of worm, as they are not common in yards or gardens. Fortunately, they may be purchased inexpensively and easily online or at local suppliers.
Down to Earthworms
When many of us think about our little wriggly underground friends, we envision the common earthworm. These live in many lawns, gardens, and other places. Although earthworms can benefit your compost by tunneling, they generally prefer to consume soil rather than rotting matter.
In addition, earthworms are sensitive to temperature extremes. That makes them poor candidates for compost tumblers.
The best composters for worms of this variety especially are ones with open bottoms. That will permit them to escape to the soil if conditions in the compost become too hot or cold for them. Generally, you do not need to add earthworms to your compost pile. They will usually find it themselves if it is accessible from the ground.
FAQs
You do not need to add worms to your compost pile. Outside, composting happens with and without the help of earthworms. Worms will usually find their own way to a compost pile.
What should be at the bottom of a worm composting bin? ›
For wooden bins, line the bottom and sides with plastic (an old shower curtain or plastic garbage bag works well). 2- Prepare the bedding. Instead of soil, composting red worms live in moist newspaper bedding. Like soil, newspaper strips provide air, water, and food for the worms.
Can you put red wigglers in a compost bin? ›
The short answer: Yes, you can add red wigglers to a compost pile.
How to speed up worm composting? ›
- Manage moisture. One of the most important factors for a healthy worm bin is adequate moisture. ...
- Remember to aerate. Along with moisture, worms need air to survive. ...
- Keep temperatures consistent. ...
- Add foods that worms like, in the right balance. ...
- Don't overfeed.
They figure out what bin they want based on the space they have available, or how the bin looks, THEN wonder what quantity of composting worms to buy. Reasonable worm stocking densities will range from about 1/2 – 1 1/2 lbs per square foot with 2lbs being the absolute maximum density I would suggest to start with.
What are the disadvantages of worm composting? ›
A few disadvantages are that worm composting requires semi-regular maintenance, the right balance of moisture and temperature in the worm bin, and careful feeding to avoid attracting pests. Additionally, vermicomposting is not great for processing all types of waste, such as meat or dairy products.
How often should I check my worm bin? ›
If it's starting to get dry, be sure to spray the bedding with filtered water. I typically open up my worm bin every other day to check the moisture levels and if it starts to feel dry, I'll give it around 50 squirts from my spray bottle. Feed your worms the appropriate amount of food.
Why are my worms dying in my compost bin? ›
Air circulation - Air circulation is a common cause of compost worms dying in their bin. Even if your bin came with plenty of pre-drilled air holes, they can become plugged, causing oxygen starvation. Sometimes, the bedding gets compacted and needs to be fluffed up to allow air to circulate inside the layers.
Should I put coffee grounds in my worm bin? ›
Coffee grounds are highly suitable for worm farms by providing a natural pesticide to ward off pests such as snails, slugs and ants. Since worms have no teeth, the fine particle size of the grounds helps make it easier to consume and provides a gritty substance in their guts which helps them grind and break down food.
Should I stir my worm bin? ›
There is no need to stir up any composting worm bin IF you have proper drainage and holes in the bottom and sides of the worm bin. composting worms do a great job on their own of stirring up the compost this allows for the autonomous drainage/aeration of the contents in the bin.
Worms hate: meat or fish, cheese, butter, greasy food, animal waste, spicy and salty foods, citrus.” The food-to-worm ratio is not precise, nor is the amount of castings they will produce. The rule of thumb is that a pound of worms will eat one to two pounds of food in a week.
How many red wigglers can live in a 5 gallon bucket? ›
5 gallon buckets have a small surface area and can hold ~1,000 red wigglers.
Are red wigglers or nightcrawlers better for composting? ›
Red wigglers are generally considered a better choice than nightcrawlers for vermicomposting. The main reason for this is that red wigglers thrive and survive in a broader temperature range than nightcrawlers, which makes the red wigglers a more reliable and consistent composter than their nightcrawler cousin.
What kind of worms do you put in compost? ›
The best worm species when it comes to worm composting would be your typical nightcrawlers and red wiggler worms. But if you're looking for the best worm type to help you well with the decomposition of your organic debris, then turn to the king of all wormery worms – the Red Wigglers.
Can you put nightcrawlers in compost? ›
There are many reasons why you should use nightcrawlers for composting. Besides providing many essential nutrients to the soil, they are also easy to maintain, even indoors. Here are some other benefits of using nightcrawlers for vermicomposting: Nightcrawlers decompose organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.
Should I add earthworms to my raised garden? ›
The answer is undoubtedly a resounding yes. Worms create the very soil that the plants live in, they do this by digesting all the organic matter left on the surface through dead plants, leaves etc (without them doing this the planet would now be miles deep in decaying vegetation!).
Do worms like coffee grounds in the compost? ›
Coffee grounds are highly suitable for worm farms by providing a natural pesticide to ward off pests such as snails, slugs and ants. Since worms have no teeth, the fine particle size of the grounds helps make it easier to consume and provides a gritty substance in their guts which helps them grind and break down food.
