Vermiculture—Worm Ranching Is All the Rage
Vermiculture? You bet. Also known as vermicomposting, this process offers a fun, on-site and relatively easy method of transforming organic matter from the kitchen and garden into rich soil. Worms are useful in aerating soil—just dig a hole in your raised bed and you’re sure to come across a little guy doing his earthly work—and thrive by converting organic plant and food material into compost.
The cycle of worm raising—providing wigglers with nutrients, collecting their waste and adding the by-product (castings) to feed your plants, vegetables, flowers and herbs—is actually fairly intuitive, even for those with no farming attributes whatsoever. With a few inexpensive tools and the need to feed, you can start feeding those hungry worms almost immediately. Get a head start this fall, and come spring, you’ll have piles of new, rich compost ready to add to your flower and vegetable beds.
Ready for worm ranching 101? Check out these worm composting tips and resources.
