Vermicomposting Hershey Style

All this month, we are discovering the origins of soil in Hershey Children’s Garden. One of our most popular features is our vermicomposting (worm composting for short) unit.  I will not go into detail of how this system works beyond mentioning to always provide good drainage, moisture retention (they are not mutually exclusive) and feed them good vegetable (and egg shell) matter like lettuce, mushy carrots and fruit.

To learn more about worm composting and the wonderful world of wiggly worms, visit the Garden this spring.

Posted by Josh Steffen

I can’t believe I didn’t start composting a long time ago. Each year, I now generate about 2 cubic yards of compost from my yard clippings, leaves, kitchen scraps and fireplace wood ashes. I generate a rich mix of organic matter that is far better than any bagged compost I have ever seen in the stores. There are a couple secrets to success that I have learned through trial and error. 

1. The pile size is important. If it is much smaller than 3 feet cubed, it does not have enough mass to properly cook. 
2. It is important to have a good diversity of ingredients in the proper ratios. It should be mostly made up of brown (carbon-rich) materials such as leaves and dried up plant material. About 5 to 10% of the ingredients should be the nitrogen-rich green materials such as fresh grass clippings, manures and kitchen scraps. 
3. Keep the pile moist and aerated, and you’ll have compost in no time. The part I tend to neglect is the water. I usually let Mother Nature provide the moisture. So, my pile probably doesn’t decompose as fast as it would if I kept it evenly moist. 

I get a lot of questions about what can be put in a compost pile. You can usually add anything that is derived from plants. Larger items such as branches, natural fibers or newspaper should be chipped or shredded into smaller pieces to speed up the decomposition. Avoid meat, dairy products, animal fats, waste from carnivorous animals, pesticide and herbicide treated materials, poison ivy, diseased plant material and invasive plant seeds. A well constructed pile can heat up to 150 degrees and neutralize some of the disease and seed problems. But I try not to take chances with any of these items. The Minnesota Extension Service has a site with just about everything you’ll ever want to know about backyard composting. 

Posted by Bob Rensel