Suppliers of worms and wormeries

Introduction

Worm composting is an environmentally-friendly way to recycle organic household waste into a valuable soil conditioner called worm compost (vermicompost). It is a FUN and EASY way for people of all ages to recycle their organic waste.

Why should I try worm composting?

• Worms compost quickly: they can eat up to half their own body weight in waste every day.
• Worm composting can be undertaken all year round and requires only minimal effort and a little knowledge. It is an excellent way to increase the environmental awareness of children.
• The worm compost produced can be used in the garden. It will return nutrients and organic matter to the soil, which improves fertility, structure, moisture retention and drainage as well as encouraging plant growth.
• Recycling organic household waste with a wormery helps to reduce the amount of rubbish transported to landfill. It is a simple, cost-effective, way of recycling organic waste.

Starting a wormery

• Wormeries provide the ideal moist, well-ventilated environment that worms require to work most efficiently.
• A wormery is relatively easy to establish and there are various different designs.
• The wormery often consists of at least two compartments; a lower collection sump for the liquid and an upper composting area where the kitchen waste goes and worms actively work.

The worms

• The worms in a wormery are red worms. These worms are native British worms that will do no harm if they escape into the garden.
• They are different from garden earthworms, which would not survive in a wormery. Composting worms live in decaying organic matter, whereas earthworms are soil dwellers.
• Worms digest waste with the help of other beneficial organisms to produce worm castings. Unlike compost heaps wormeries do not work at high temperatures.
• A wormery should be started off with around 1000 worms.
• They are safe and hygienic

What do worms eat?

• Any cooked or uncooked fruit and vegetable waste (Potato peelings, apple cores, banana skins, rotten fruit)
• Stale bread, tea bags, eggshells and coffee grounds (in small amounts).
• Paper and cardboard (in small amounts).
• Worms cannot eat plastics, glass or metal.
• Cooked / uncooked meat scraps and dairy products should be avoided.

Suppliers of worms and wormeries

Wiggly Wigglers
Lower Blakemere Farm
Blakemere
Herefordshire HR2 9PX
Tel: 01981 500391

Worms Direct UK
Drylands
Lusting
Nr Maldon
Essex CM9 6QS
Tel: 01245 381933

Original Organics Ltd
Unit 9
Langlands Business Park
Uffculme
Cullompton
Devon EX15 3DA
Tel: 01884 841515

VermiSell
Sandy Gap Cottage
Burton in Kendal
Carnforth
Lancs LA6 1NT
Tel: 07843 277920

Some local authorities offer subsidised wormeries. Check with your council for more details.

For a more detailed leaflet please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

Soil Science (Wormery Leaflet)
RHS Garden Wisley
Woking
Surrey
GU23 6QB

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