Wormeries

Question 1

What waste do you put in a wormery?

Answer 1

Kitchen waste

Small amounts of garden waste.

Question 2

What does a wormery produce?

Answer 2

Nutrient rich compost

Concentrated liquid fertiliser.

Question 3

What does a wormery usually consist of?

Answer 3

2 compartments.
The upper section is where the waste goes and the worms actively work

The lower section is a collection sump for the liquid.

Question 4

What worms are used?

Answer 4

Brandling
Manure
Red
Tiger

Question 5

Name the worm species

Answer 5

Eisenia foetida
E. andreii
Dendrabaena veneta

Question 6

What is the difference between composting worms and earthworms?

Answer 6

Composting worms like decaying OM.

Earthworms are soil dwellers.

Question 7

What does a composting worm look like?

Answer 7

Smaller, darker red.

Question 8

what is the name of the common earthworm?

Answer 8

Lumbricus terrestris

Question 9

what temperature is ideal for most worms?

Answer 9

18-25 degrees, they are most active in this temp and like moist conditions.

Question 10

Where should you store a wormery?

Answer 10

In a shed or sheltered area of garden so they don’t get too cold in winter, or too hot in summer.

Question 11

What pH do worms prefer?

Answer 11

between 6.5-7.0 and well ventiliated.

Question 12

What living conditions don’t worms like?

Answer 12

extreme acidity and waterlogged.

Question 13

How to use a wormery… 4 points.

Answer 13

Put 8cm layer of old compost or coir in bottom ( creates humid layer and they can burrow into it)

Add worms

Cover with 8-10cm of kitchen waste

Leave for 1/52 to allow worms to settle in.

Question 14

How do the worms prefer their waste?

Answer 14

Small amounts cut into smaller pieces given often.

Question 15

How can you give them their food?

Answer 15

Put a layer on top of compost of bury it within compost to create feeding pockets.

Question 16

What should you do if they aren’t eating the waste?

Answer 16

Stop feeding them for a few dys until they work their way through the top layer.
Don’t add too much waste.

Question 17

What should you compost for the worms?

Answer 17

Any raw vegetable
Cooked leeks and garlic in small quantities.
Any cooked vegetable
Tea bags, egg shells, coffee grounds
Small amounts of bread
Limited amount of newspapers
Shredded office paper
Small amounts of garden waste, annual weeds
Leaves
Soft green material

Question 18

What shouldn’t you give to the worms?

Answer 18

Glossy magazines
Dairy products
Fat/grease
Meat/fish/bones (attracts pests)
Large amounts of tough leaves/woody material

Question 19

why shouldn’t you give tough leaves/woody material to worms?

Answer 19

slows the system down.

Question 20

How do you maintain a wormery?

Answer 20

Only add water if it looks dry
Drain off liquid to avoid waterlogging
Occasionally fork through compost to check worms are present and healthy

Question 21

How long does it take for the wormery to fill?

Answer 21

8-12 months, you must separate the worms before using the compost.

Question 22

Where do the worms usually congragate?

Answer 22

in the area just below the top layer of food waste.

Question 23

How would you re-start the wormery?

Answer 23

Remove the top 20cm layer.

Question 24

What is the worm compost and liquid rich in?

Answer 24

Nitrogen N

Potassium K

Question 25

What are some problems with a wormery?

Answer 25

Strong odours that attract flies

Conditions could become too acidic.

Question 26

How would you stop a wormery from smelling?

Answer 26

Bury new waste into decomposed material, or cover with. a damp layer of newspaper.
Drain off excess liquid and add shredded card/newspaper.

Question 27

How would you remedy an acidic wormery?

Answer 27

add a small dressing of calcified seaweed or calcium carbonate.

Question 28

give examples of calcium carbonate to remedy an acidic wormery

Answer 28

Garden lime
Ground chalk
Ground limestone.