Worm composting natura method for recycling waste WORM COMPOSTING can be done year-round, indoors and outdoors, by apa..men* dwellers and householders. Compost is a good soil cor 'i- tioner for houseplai.., earders and lawns. What youn |: ® a container (made «7 plastic) @ worms (750 to 2,000 redworms) @ bedding (shredded newspaper will do) @ food waste (fruit and vegetable waste) How you do it: Fill the container with damp bedding. Add the worms. Pull aside some of the bedding, bury the food waste, and cover it up with the bedding. Over a period of two to three months the worms and micro- organisms eat the organic material and bedding, producing rich com- post. wood or Worm bins — four key ingredients 1. The container Buy or build a container or use an old dresser drawer, trunk, or barrel. Wood containers are absorbent and good: insulators for worms. Plastic containers are useful but compest tends to get quite wet. The container should be be- tween eight and 12 inches deep and provide one square foot of surface area for every pound of food waste. per week (ie., six pounds of waste requires a bin two feet by three feet or two bins one foot by three feet). Depending on the size of the container, ‘drill eight to 12 holes (“’-% inch) in the bottom for aeration and drainage. A plastic bin may need more drainage — if contents get too wet, driil more holes. Raise the bin on bricks or wooden blocks for air circulation. Place a tray underneath to capture ‘steel insulated front entry door excess liquid which can be used as liquid plant fertilizer. Cover the bin to conserve moisture and provide darkness for the worms. Indoors, place a sheet of dark plastic or burlap sacking on top of the bedding, or cover with an aerater lid. Outdoors, use a solid lid to keep out unwanted scavengers and rain. Worm bins can be located the basement, shed, garage, balcony or kitchen counter. They need to be kept out of hot sun, heavy rain and cold. When temperatures drop below 4°C, bins should be moved indoors or be well insulated. 2. The worms. Redworms are best for com- posting because they thrive on organic materials, such as food scraps. Officially known as Eisenia foetida and Lumbricus rubellus, they are commonly known as red wriggler, brandling, or . manure worms. You can get your worms from a friend’s compost bin, purchase them, or, if you feel adventurous, find a horse stable or farmer with an aged manure pile and collect a bagful of manure with worms. The Compost Hotline (736- 2250) can help you with local sources of redworms. For one pound per day of food waste (an average amount}, you'll need two pounds of worms (roughly 2,000), If you are unable to get this many worms to start with, reduce the amount of food waste accordingly while the popu- lation steadily increases. 3, The bedding Suitable bedding materials in- clude shredded newspaper and cardboard, shredded fall leaves, chopped-up straw and other dead plants, seaweed, sawdust, dried grass clippings, peat moss, com- post and aged manure. Vary bedding in the bin to pro- Foesional Traallation Avail Installations, Inc. vide more nutrients for the worms and to create a richer compost. Two handfuls of sand and soil must be added to provide the nec- essary grit for worms’ digestion of food. Fill the bin with a mixture of damp bedding so that the overall moisture level is like a ‘‘wrung- out sponge.”’ Lift the bedding gently to create air spaces. This helps control odors and gives freer movements to the worms. 4. The food waste Your worms will eat food scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, pulverized egg shells, tea See Imperative page 18 iegege@ sts Drop into our new North Van store — located behind the Shell Station at Pemberton & Marine Dr. WE ARE THE SOURCE FOR ALL YOUR BIRDFEEDING SUPPLIES & NEEDS. BIRD SEED BIRD FEEDERS (No fillers -no waste) NEST BOXES SQUIRREL BAFFLES POLES & HARDWARE BOOKS - VIDEOS ~ TAPES “YOUR BACKYARD BIRD FEEDING SPECIALIST” 1190 MARINE DR. NORTH VAN. 988-2121 Sunday 12-5 Storewide Absolute Lowest Prices available anywhere. Attractive Contemporary Styling. Available in matching loveseat $799: te. $1699 | PRICED FROM $499 to. Absolute Lowest Price ovailable ‘onywhere Traditional Styling with Attractive Floral print. Available in matching loveseat. By Sealy posterpedic - Classic 2pc set Twin. eaaec SPECIAL PURCHASE by . .Perfect Rest “Pillow Top" Mattress & Boxspring NOWe AG 20 year warranty 299 Double .. .9349 Queen... 2399 v, FACE DELIVERY 15 Year 1 Warranty This is one SRLE you don't want to MISS! Hours: Mon-Tues & Sat-Sun - 10am-6pm Wed - Fri Open tate - 10am-9pm | 7780 Alderbridge Way, Richmon 273-299 Le, NOY the arraunt exquaivalant to the GST & PST 4 NO PST Compare our huge — selection of ‘Leather and Fabric Sofa’s. * Contemporary, ° § Haditional, ® Transitional. All priced at the absolute lowest prices available.