Worm Farm and Worm Bins
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At Pottsbury we are mainly interested in worms for the benefit of the trees
and plants we grow. We have mentioned the leachate as a spray for plants and the
vermicompost is placed in a 4 cm deep layer one metre wide under the drip line of the
trees and mulched on top.
Our mentor, John Buckerfield, an Australian research scientist with many years of
plant trials with varying composts and mulches recommended this method when visiting
last May. Certainly he and his colleague, Katie Webster, have demonstrated highly
promising results ---35%-50% increase in crop yields with other benefits including
greater moisture retention and overall better health. One cherry farmer in Australia
boasts an increase of $65 per tree in using this method. Other best practice vineyards
attest the same benefits. The really intriguing fact is that these same results continue
5 harvests after the one and only application of vermicompost. (It must be kept mulched
however and any material will do -- paper, shelter belt trimmings, wine marc, straw,
anything you can get your hands on -- have all been trialled.)
Other interesting trials involve using dark mulches to minimise frost damage and
to date while we have had ground frost we have had no frost on trees
- theoretically the mulch absorbs heat by day and radiates it back by night.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR WORM BIN
Any roughly shredded paper, cardboard, peat moss, coconut fibre or aged compost makes
a good bed. Soak the bedding, Squeeze out excess moisture and place in the container
you intend using. There are many proprietary bins on the market (see later in this section)
or use your imagination. The major thing is not to overestimate the amount of food initially.
A light sprinkling of lime is beneficial. Burying food on alternate sides or around your bin
is often used to good effect by worm farms. Covering new food with some semi composted
material cuts out smells and hurries the break down.
A recommended book is Earthworms in New Zealand- Life beneath the surface
by Amy Brown. It is available at most Whitcoulls and some libraries have copies.
Worms and worm bin prices:
Starter packs of worms Eisenia fetida(compost worms)
(200 grams about 1000 worms) for $30.00
We stock two types of domestic worm bins:
Can-o-worms---$140
Worm-A-Round---$170
For information, click on the link to:
The "Can-O-Worms"
The "Worm-A-Round"
Courier charges and packaging - North Island $15.00
Add $4.00 extra for Rural Mail delivery ticket.
To return to Produce Page click here
John and Thelma Williams
Phone: 64 7 549-1016 Fax: 64 7 549-1061
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