Organic Waste

Worm farm

Worm farm

Making fertiliser from organic waste

Composting and worm farming are two ways to ensure your fruit and vegetable scraps and garden clippings don’t go to waste, but are utilised to produce a rich fertiliser for your pot plants and garden.  Both composting and worm farming are easy and can be done by the whole family.  Composting is suited to those who have some space in the yard, while worm farming is ideal for people living in units or who have limited yard space.

Composting
There are many different styles of compost heaps and bins, each suiting different situations.  You will need to determine the most suitable form of composting for your home.  Following is a basic guide on how to compost. 

1. Choose a sunny, warm spot in your garden to locate your compost.  The compost will need direct contact with the soil to encourage microorganisms and worms to enter to help break down the organic matter.
2. Once you have positioned your compost bin/heap, place a layer of twigs in to allow for drainage and to encourage airflow.
3. Place lawn clippings and fruit and vegetable scraps in your compost. Next, place a layer of dry leaves or paper.
4. Make sure the compost is moist. This can be done by adding tea bags and coffee grounds or by giving it a quick ‘squirt’ with the hose. It is important not to over water.
5. Using a garden fork, turn the compost every second week to ensure adequate air is getting into your compost. This will assist the decomposition process and help to alleviate bad smells.
6. Cover your compost so it doesn’t dry out or get too wet.
7. Continue to add a mixture of organic matter to your compost.

In a few months your compost will be ready.  It should have an earthy smell and be dark brown in appearance.  The time taken for your compost to mature will depend on the temperature and the type of material being added.

If you shred the organic waste material before putting it in your compost heap, it will break down in a shorter period of time. Remember the following and you will be on your way to having a successful compost.

A - air
D - diversity
A - aliveness
M - moisture

Never put meat or dairy products into your compost as they attract vermin.

Worm Farming
Worm farming is very practical if you have limited space and it is a great activity for children to be involved in.  You can purchase a worm farm from local nurseries and garden centres or you can build your own.  You will need to purchase compost worms from a local worm farmer or maybe get a few from your friends if they already have an established worm farm.

A worm farm generally consists of a catching tray and at least one active tray.  The catching tray forms the bottom layer of the worm farm and is there to catch the liquid fertiliser that is generated by the worm farm.  The active tray has lots of small holes in the base to allow for drainage.  This is the tray the worms live in and where they eat your fruit and vegetable scraps.

How to set up a worm farm:

1. Place the first active tray onto the catching tray.
2. Place a layer of wet cardboard or newspaper into the active tray.
3. Then place either well  rotted compost or peat moss in the tray to form a bedding for the worms.
4. Put your worms into the active tray on top of the bedding.  You will need several hundred worms to start your worm farm. Make sure the worms you use are suitable for worm farming.  These are available from many hardware stores and garden centres.
5. Add a handful of fruit or vegetable scraps to your worm farm.  It is best to put small pieces in.  Avoid giving your worms acidic fruits such as lemons and oranges, onion, dairy products, meat products and large quantities of bread.
6. Place a damp cloth, piece of carpet or newspaper over your worms and then place the lid on. Keep the worm farm dark and moist.

When your worms have filled up the first active tray, you may wish to add another tray.

The castings produced by the worms can be used on your pot plants or in the garden as a natural fertiliser.  The liquid fertiliser is also excellent for your plants, but make sure you water it down before you use it.