don't touch the worms

[georgejas]

Hunh. I think usually when I am futzing with dirt such that I get to play with worms, I've had my gardening gloves on, but I'm sorry if I've bothered any worms

Comments

[katybeth]

Good to know.

[beaq]

Gah!

[bhudson]

That page seems needlessly complicated. Grinding the eggshells? Pureeing the food scraps?

[bhudson]

I have to admit I haven't really figured out the point of vermiculture. Just throwing stuff in a bin attracts all the critters you need to turn food scraps and leaves into humus. A large garbage bin with holes drilled in it is enough capacity to deal with about three people, even through a frozen winter; worms might be able to let you get away with a smaller bin, but who cares?

[hosterman]

The compost you can get through vermiculture can have a lot more useful bacteria in it that just a regular compost pile. Also, the worms in a bin digest scraps a lot faster than a traditional compost pile. I think the crushing and shredding is just supposed to increase composting speed (as smaller pieces are easier for worms to eat). You can also use the liquid from the worm bin (know as 'worm tea') to fertilize soil or spray on leaves to give plants a boost.

Plus, worms are cool.