Composting with Redworms

The redworm does a remarkable job of recycling organic waste. Not only is it efficient, consuming up to its own weight in organic matter daily, but it then excretes waste in the form of valuable, nutrient rich, castings.

These castings contain five to ten times the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium than is normally found in garden soils. Scientists find that vermicompost (compost from redworms) is a better fertilizer than regular compost. Many gardeners compost using redworms for the sole purpose of using the vermicompost in their gardens and planters. Others simply purchase vermicompost through garden centers and worm growers like WisconsinRedworms.com.

Rapid reproduction, simple requirements (food, water, temperate conditions), and scalability along with the desire to reduce the need for landfills has made composting an inexpensive solution for individuals, communities, and corporations.

Appropriate Materials:	Inappropriate Materials:
vegetables	pet waste
fruits	peanut butter
shredded newspaper	vegetable oil/fats
shredded cardboard	meat, fish, & dairy products
cow, horse, rabbit & pig manure
crushed egg shells
grain products
coffee grounds and filters