What is Vermicomposting and Why Do It?

Let's start with a very simple definition:

Vermicomposting is the process of having redworms and other decomposer organisms process our organic waste and turn it into a great natural fertilizer (called vermicompost).

And one more definition:

Vermi compost contains: worm castings ("vermicastings"), good aerobic compost from other worm bin organisms, and some material (food waste, bedding, etc.) that's on its way to the worms or other critters.

Vermicomposting is easy, requires very few supplies, and can be done by anyone. A simple box or container makes a fine worm bin and keeps worms and decomposing food scraps in one area.

The worm bin is kept indoors or out, depending on your needs and preferences and may be fed most of your non-meat food scraps. They require very little attention, do not get sick, and don't mind if you go on vacation.

In addition, redworms are voracious eaters that are extremely happy to spend the day eating organic waste, excreting worm castings and making more worms, providing you with high quality compost!

Thus, in a few months, redworms will have turned your food scraps into vermi compost.

Why vermicompost?

Well, in addition to all that we've said above, vermicomposting helps to:

• keep valuable resources out of the landfill
• grow better veggies
• having fun looking at tiny critters in the worm bin
• feeling good at recycling nutrients that don't need to be wasted
• making a few bucks now and then, selling worms to new composters

These are the most common reasons people start vermicomposting. Each of us has our own reasons, though, and they're much more interesting.

What got you interested in worm composting, what got you started?

What was happening in your life that made worm composting just the right thing to do? What did worms, or the process of vermicomposting do for you? Write and tell us - it doesn't have to be a fancy letter - even a paragraph. We'll gather your responses together and put them in our Worm Digest's Articles section.

Want to know our reasons for "worming"? Ok, here's mine.

"I learned to compost with my Dad. I always enjoyed composting, because it was outdoor work. The worms and sow bugs were fun to watch. I first heard of vermicomposting much later, in the Earth Stewards, a group that did environmental work. We had just finished a tree planting project, and were enjoying one of our monthly potlucks, when someone said "I'd like to see a worm bin in every school." That caught the attention of a number of us. We got together soon after, and built worm bins together, according to plans from Worms Eat My Garbage. I immediately enjoyed the process and showed a lot of friends my worms. Stephen White and I went into a few elementary school classrooms together. That was a lot of fun and really helped us birth the idea of creating a magazine about worms and worm composting.

Zorba Frankel, Worm Digest managing editor

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What is Vermicomposting | Worm Bin Location
Building your Worm Bin | Set up | Feeding
Basic Worm Bin Care | Troubleshooting
Harvesting Worms and Castings | Food and Organic Compost Tea
Advanced Topics | Earthworm Biology and Production