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We're
lucky that very little yard waste is generated during
winter months when cold temperatures make composting
tough in Nebraska. But, don't think you can't compost
in the winter...
You
are always creating food waste in the kitchen and it
has to be disposed of.
Vermicomposting is the process of using worms and micro-organisms
to turn kitchen waste into a black, earthy-smelling,
nutrient-rich humus.
Staff
in our office have used vermicomposting bins at home
and in the office. A vermicomposting bin is easy to
make and maintain. And, you keep it right indoors where
it is warm.
Hey
Kids: Looking for a great Science Fair Project?
Make your own vermicomposting bin. If your fair is in
March or April, you'll need to get started now!
For
information on starting your own bin, visit HERE:
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Did
you miss a
Can You Guess It??
See
photos & resources here.
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In
the photo above, you can see two adult redworms (red
wigglers) in the nutrient-rich compost. There are
thousands of these worms in this bin. The compost
is the result of worms eating the newspaper bedding
and non-fatty kitchen wastes. Their droppings are
called "castings".
At
the right are moist shredded newspapers. This is the
new bedding for the worms. After a few days, the worms
will leave the area that has been composted and move
into the new bedding. Once the worms move, the compost
will be removed and used as a
soil amendment for plants.
Do
you see the arrow? At the tip of the arrow, is a tiny
gold-colored capsule. That is a worm cocoon (egg).
Inside the tiny egg are one or two baby worms.
When
properly maintained, these bins have very little odor
(other than smelling like damp soil). As for insects
and rodents, if you take care of your bin - you won't
have a problem.
Note:
In the photo, the bedding appears damper than usual
because the bin is in the process of being changed
over to fresh bedding.
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