Author Archives: Kurt Reichelt
The Benefits and Uses of Worm Castings
The castings, or droppings, that worms produce as they digest organic matter have been shown to promote plant growth, suppress disease, and improve the structure and fertility of soil. Worm castings contain a high percentage of humus. Humus helps soil … Continue reading
Signs of a Healthy Worm Bin
If you are going to compost with worms you need to get the basics right, including temperature and moisture. If you keep your bin in an unheated garage in Vermont in the winter chances are the worms won’t do much … Continue reading
Voles: Worm Enemy No. 1
Earthworms have a number of natural predators, including birds, toads, snakes, centipedes and some mites. But the threat they pose to a worm grower is nothing compared to voles. In fact, voles can eat their own weight in worms every … Continue reading
A Child’s Guide to Vermicomposting
Kids love worms. Hands down they are the most interesting creatures on the planet to a four year old. I know, because my four year old can spend hours digging through a worm bin and naming each worm he finds. … Continue reading
Worms and Global Warming
Our motto at Green Mountain Soil is Feed a Worm…Starve a Landfill, and we strongly believe that feeding organic residuals to red worms is better than landfilling them. Some would disagree. In fact, a number of articles in 2007 suggested … Continue reading
Worms in winter
Rod in Staten Island Heights, NY wants to know how to take care of worms in the winter if they are left outdoors: “Dear Kurt, I got the worms which were in a nice solid bunch, moving, and ready to … Continue reading
How do I separate castings?
This question from Kate in New Hampshire: “Hi, kurt, I bought some worms from you a few months ago. It’s going great! I wanted to ask your advice on the separating of the worms from the vermicompost/castings. Also, can the … Continue reading
