Vermicomposting: why worms beat the compost heap
Vermicomposting lets compost worms turn kitchen and garden waste into worm castings, one of the richest soil conditioners there is. It’s easier than a compost heap, needs only a few minutes a week, and keeps food waste out of landfill.
Vermicomposting is probably one of the best ways to recycle kitchen and garden waste. Our society throws away huge amounts of organic waste every day, and putting those nutrients back into the soil keeps it fertile. This page is about the why. For the hands-on how, read my complete beginner’s guide to worm composting.
What is vermicomposting?
Vermicomposting, also called worm composting or worm farming, is recycling organic waste with the help of compost worms. The worms eat kitchen and garden waste as it starts to decompose and turn it into worm castings, which are far richer in nutrients than the richest topsoil.
How is it different from a normal compost heap?
Traditional compost heaps recycle huge amounts of waste and are good for the environment. But to work well they need careful building, the right mix and regular turning, which is hard work. A worm bin needs just a few minutes of care a week, works on a balcony or under the kitchen sink, and its castings can be used as plant food straight away.
From kitchen bin to small business
Once your bin is thriving you’ll have more worms and castings than you need. Many readers turn that surplus into extra income. I’ve written it all down in my book How to Start a Profitable Worm Business on a Shoestring Budget.
Is vermicomposting good for the climate?
Yes. Organic waste buried in landfill rots without air and releases a lot of methane and CO2. A worm bin recycles the same waste with very little greenhouse gas, and the castings mean you need less chemical fertiliser.
What do the worms need?
Compost worms such as red wigglers, moist bedding, a little food at a time and shade. They’re not fussy and live in almost any container: plastic, wood or even an old bathtub. They’re happiest at 5–29 °C (41–84.2 °F), ideally 15–25 °C (59–77 °F). Feed used coffee grounds sparingly. See compost worms and the worm food rating list.
What do I get out of it?
Worm castings, a slow-release fertiliser that feeds plants for up to 6 months. Castings are also a great soil conditioner and the base for worm tea and compost tea, liquid plant foods that also help keep pests in check. If you want to produce castings in volume, see production of vermicast.
How do I start?
Read starting a worm farm: the 4 things you need, build a homemade worm compost bin, and check the beginner FAQ.
Happy worming!
Stephan Kloppert
Nearly 30 years of worm farming in South Africa and Germany
Just starting your first worm farm? The Easy Worm Farming Planner keeps you on track week by week.
