My birthday present turned up a few days early: a worm composting kit, but not just any worm composting kit: the Can-O-Worms with its superior tray system for easy compost production (yes, I suspect such language indicates I am turning into the Jeremy Clarkson of the composting world - shudder).
I guess for some this would be an eccentric gift but it's absolutely spot on for me. I have wanted a wormery for years and have only been held back by - well, I am not quite sure what has been holding me back other than the expense and hassle of setting it up. The setup took about five minutes, and it cost about the same as a slap-up birthday meal - and I know I am going to get a huge amount of pleasure from observing the worms at work, as well as the benefits of the resulting compost and liquid feed.
Like any blogger worth her salt, I shall be blogging my photos of the whole Can-O-Worms setup experience, once I have got the camera cable from the nursery when the baby's awake.
And my first question for any experienced worm composters out there - how strictly do I have to follow the no citrus rule? Presumably the occasional stray satsuma segment won't hurt?
If you're new to worm composting there's an excellent FAQ here.
If it's just the occasional bit of citrus peel then it shouldn't be a problem - I've added some to my worm bins on many occasions. A pH meter might come in handy, if you're worried.
When hubby is on one of his clementine binges, though, I put the peel on the regular compost heap.
Posted by: Emma | February 02, 2008 at 05:42 AM
They are just fantastic - I got mine for a birthday a couple of years ago. And my grandchildren are fascinated, particularly by the babies. Happy Birthday!
Posted by: sujatin | February 02, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Our worms - two standard-size garden compost bins, which were started going, carefully enough, a few years ago, now get pretty much everything that rots flung in: from socks to mouldy lemons to the consequences of domestic biohazard incidents. Now and again I add paper from the office shredder and stir it all around a bit. Every winter I get a bit panicky and think I've done for the poor creatures; every spring they spring back and process the lot. The benign climate of County Cork probably helps, but letting them get on with it has worked for us.
Posted by: Julian | February 02, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Here in Devon our worms thrive with regular helpings of citrus peel,banana peel and veg waste-we have 4 garden compost bins and at times we often find great bundles of hundreds of worms together at the top of the compost bins so therefore I presume citrus peel is harmless for worms
Posted by: Jean | February 03, 2008 at 08:00 AM
I too am tempted to get a Can-O-Worms wormery, but am put off by the expense. Hopefully dropping enough hints to the man, I shall be getting one for Valentines day? Would be a change from flowers :) Hope you enjoy yours and will definitely visit again to see your updates on your wormery. I need to learn too!
Posted by: Sinta | February 05, 2008 at 09:14 AM
It's not cheap, no - perhaps something to ask friends and family to club together and buy you? You can also construct your own wormery and simply buy in the worms (they are different from the earthworms in your garden), which is a lot cheaper, and there are some useful instructions here: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Worm-Compost-System
Posted by: Jane Perrone | February 05, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Happy Birthday! I think you have the best wormery in existence in the Can O Worms. I have an original wormery but I don't think it's as good, being just a plastic bucket which tends to get full of liquid if you don't drain it regularly. I'm a little concerned my worms have perished over winter actually... hope you have more luck!
Posted by: Rach | February 05, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Worms don't have teeth so they can struggle with the peel of citrus as it tends to shrivel-up rather than break down. I do find the trays heavy to empty so be mindful of your back and make sure you keep adding the carbon rich stuff to balance it all.I recommend getting the rain-cap and plenty of the anti-acid mix if you're adding lots of fruit pulp etc.Now you just have to think of lots of names for them.
Posted by: Natalie El-Barrawi | February 05, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Happy Birthday and I hope you enjoy your worms. I always found the worm composting concept really exciting and loved feeding mine.
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