Plots 4a and 5a are in the process of having a few new ‘installations’ this week…. I’ve decided to test an alternative form of composting – vermicomposting, which is basically composting with worms.
I have two compost bins currently. The typical Dalek type and my homemade pallet composter. Both are filling up nicely, however I’m going to be waiting a while before I (and the plots) will be able to reap the rewards. Hence the test… worm towers.
My worm towers are made of a length of pipe with holes drilled in the bottom half which is then buried halfway into the ground. I’ve painted my 1st worm tower – Tiddler A wanted the worms to have a castle to live in 🙂 Scraps of food will be put in the tower, this will then be ‘processed’ by the worms. It’s a win win! The worms will enjoy an all you can eat ‘buffet’ and my allotment will get an instant boost of nutrients, eliminating several stages of the composting process.
I’m making four towers and I’m intending to strategically place three around the plots. The fourth one, I’ll test out in one of the raised beds. I’m hoping the ‘towers’ will feed and nurture my plants for me.
Reading up on the ideal ‘mixture’ to tempt the worms it’s clear that there are some definite dos and don’ts…
- Do give the worms a little bedding to wriggle into e.g. wet (not dripping but moist) shredded newspaper. Apparently worms enjoy an environment of 75% water.
- Don’t add manure to the bedding. This could result in cooked worms!
- Do add something gritty like soil or ground egg shells. This will help the worms grind up the contents of the tower.
- Do place the worms in the middle of the ‘tower mixture’ then leave them for a few days.
- Do (after about a week) start adding the food scraps. Soft fruit and veg is best.
- Don’t add paper with coloured ink – it’s poisonous to worms!
- Do ‘feed’ the worms a little at a time. Once a week is perfect.
I’m not sure what my allotment neighbours will make of my experiment but I’m hoping my plots will love me!
beentheredugthat 
They look awesome, hope the worms appreciate them and make you some super compost! 😀
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Me too! I am a bit worried that the slugs will enjoy them too…ah well…we’ll see I suppose! 😆
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Intriguing. I’ll be interested to hear if they work. Beetles eat slugs, as do frogs, slow worms, hedgehogs, chickens and ducks. So plenty of scope there for some experimentation…
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Little frog pond is on my jobs list for this weekend…gathering as much information as possible atm…fingers crossed the weather improves 😆
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We used to put any worms we found whilst digging into our compost bin, firstly to do that job and secondly so the birds didn’t eat them. We did put food out for the birds too.
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The ‘Tiddlers’ love doing that too! I have water for the birds but I haven’t fed them at the allotment yet…I’m not 100% sure what to do. I have bunting etc to scare off the crows…don’t want to encourage the pigeons either…but I do want them to eat the snails and slugs!! Tricky one lol
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Hang bird feeders from tree branches or make one from an old coat stand. Small birds can feed but pigeons etc won’t be able to.
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Light and simple structures for bird feeders sounds good. Another project me thinks…worm towers, frog pond and bird feeders. Planting seems to be on hold due to the dreadfully cold (and unpredictable) weather atm! 😕
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Love your worm towers. The wriggly little creatures are so important on the plot.
x
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So true…and thank you 😀I’ve another 3 to do this weekend. Tiddler A insists that they must be painted!
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I’ve been thinking about doing worm towers, you’ve just answered some questions I had about them 🙂 They look great!
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Thank you 😆 Another 2 put in yesterday…one to go, Tiddler A wants to paint that one!
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