In the article on domestic composting , we commented on why it is interesting to compose our organic waste from the garden and the kitchen. However, many times we do not have the right conditions to perform the classic heap composting , due to:
- Lack of space to locate it and to perform maintenance tasks.
- Lack of sufficient waste (for bulk composting, we must generate a certain amount of both dry and wet waste).
This is the case of small urban gardens in patios, terraces or balconies. For which we recommend as an alternative to traditional composting, vermicomposting .
Vermicomposting is a transformation of organic matter into a natural fertilizer of great quality which we call vermicompost or earthworm humus . It consists of a biooxidation and stabilization of the organic matter, by the main action of the worms, together with the microorganisms, in an aerobic process, not producing an increase of the temperature nor generating bad odors.
For the proper development of this process, we use a vermicomposter , which has several trays that are stacked on top of each other, allowing the worms to pass from the lower to the upper trays through holes.
In this way the worms are digesting the food that we are placing in the trays and when it is finished they go up to the upper trays where we will be placing more fresh food. The trays that leave the worms will therefore have the material that they have digested, that they have eaten and excreted, which has exceptional properties as organic fertilizer.
The worms that best perform this action, are the red worms of California , which have a great voracity and are able to digest a large amount of food.
The vermicomposter should place it in an area of shade, since the worms do not like light, and maintain a good level of humidity. We must incorporate the remains of food as chopped as possible, this will facilitate the action of worms.
The liquid that is produced during the process is collected in the leachate tray that the vermicomposter has. We can use this liquid (diluted in water) as fertilizer for our crops.
What foods can we use?
- Fruit and vegetable remains: fruit skin, salad leftovers, etc.
- Remains of coffee, tea and infusions.
- Carton of the wet egg cup and wet and chopped newspaper on the deposited food.
- Crushed egg shells.
- Strawberries, melons and sweet fruit in general are their favorite delicacy and what they like least are citrus fruits and bananas that they will also eat when they finish what they like best.
In general, the more varied the food we incorporate, the better.
What foods should we not use?
- We will not use hard pruning remains (dry branches and leaves), since earthworms only eat soft organic debris.
- Meat and fish do not like and also produce bad smells.
- Dairy, bones and fatty foods.
