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What is the point of worm farm?
By Angus Stewart
Earthworms are one of Nature’s most important organisms due to their ability to digest a wide range of organic materials and turn them into fertiliser for plant growth. Worm farms are an ideal way to harness the composting potential of these amazing organisms in a way that produces free fertiliser and soil conditioner, both solid and liquid, in very quick time.
In their natural environment earthworms not only break down and incorporate materials such as animal manure and dead plant material, but also tunnel through the soil aerating it in a way that makes it much better for root growth. In a worm farm, the natural tunnelling action of earthworms also helps encourage the composting activities of beneficial microbes such as fungi and bacteria that need oxygen to do their work breaking down organic matter.
Thus, the point of a worm farm is that it is a very efficient method of composting that is especially good for turning kitchen scraps into compost in double quick time. The fertiliser produced by a worm farm has a nutrient balance that reflects what is being fed to the worms. Kitchen scraps will produce a fertiliser that is very well suited to growing edibles, as it will replace the nutrients that are removed every time you pick some food for the table. Every household generates some kitchen waste virtually every single mealtime so it is important to choose the right type and size of worm farm to match the volumes of organics you produce.
Tumbleweed has a worm farm that will suit any particular household situation, from the various above ground worm farms that generate liquid fertiliser in a drip tray below the working worm trays. The various options include the Tumbleweed Cube, for small households (and can also be used indoors), to the Can-O-Worms, Worm Factory and Worm Café for progressively larger households. There are also in-ground worm farms, from the Worm Buffet that is used as an in-ground worm farm to be partially buried in a garden bed (especially good for never ending fertiliser for a vegetable garden), to the very large Pet Poo Worm Farm that not only is a safe way to compost pet poo, but is also a great composting system for larger households.
In summary, the point of worm farms is that they are an incredibly efficient, odour-free composting solution for all household organics, but especially for your never-ending supply of kitchen scraps.