Worm castings, also known as vermicompost or worm manure, and sometimes erroneously called worm “casings”, are the organic waste produced by earthworms as they digest and break down organic matter. As worms consume their food in the form of decaying plant materials, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, they convert them into a nutrient-rich poop. This … Read more
If you have a compost pile, you probably already know that it is a tricky process. Sure, you can add all of these organic materials from your kitchen and your yard, but not too much of one or the other or else the pile might fail! It’s definitely worth the effort, but it can be … Read more
Whatever kind of planting and gardening you’re doing around your home, one of the best resources in your arsenal is a large, properly maintained compost pile. Aside from reducing waste, composting allows you to supercharge your plants with tons of nutrition that they desperately need. Plenty of beginning gardeners want to start a compost pile … Read more
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to what happens to your leftover meat scraps. But if you’re composting, it’s important to know that meat can’t just go in with the rest of the compost. At least, not without paying attention to some general tips for doing it safely and correctly. … Read more
Composting is something I adore. It’s a fantastic approach to decreasing and recycling your waste while also creating nutrient-dense soil for your garden at the same time. But, I’ll admit that when it came to allowing insects, worms, and other creatures into the compost, I had to tamp down my natural instincts to eliminate them. … Read more
If you’re like most gardeners, you probably compost your vegetable scraps and other organic matter to create nutrient-rich soil for your plants. But sometimes those scraps can attract unwanted guests – namely, worms! Other times, you might be composting specifically because you want the worms in there. Vermicomposting is an effective and eco-friendly way to … Read more
There’s no getting around it – manure (yes, poop) is a necessary part of farming. Did you know that manure can actually be a valuable resource for farmers? Managing manure can be tricky, but if done correctly, it can result in some big benefits for your farm. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to … Read more
Composting with worms is one of the best ways to create your own fertile, nutritious soil – even if you don’t have a lot of room outdoors for a full-fledged compost bin. You can get rid of all kinds of garden waste as well as kitchen debris, like vegetable peelings. Plus, worm composting helps free … Read more
Composting is an essential component to permaculture and gardening. It is also essential in striving for that goal of sustainability. Rather than throwing away the trimmings from your kitchen vegetables or the leaves and grass clippings in your yard, let’s turn it into a rich nutrient filled soil. We call this compost. What a great … Read more
Americans produce almost 40 million tons of food waste each year – that means we’re putting about a pound of food into the trash each day when this is totally unnecessary. Composting is a great way to reduce your household’s food waste and to make fertile, nutrient-rich planting matter that you can use in your … Read more
As homesteaders, we’re always striving to reduce our carbon footprint and upcycle as much as possible. Nothing goes to waste. Whenever possible, we find ways to upcycle things and reuse them to the best of our advantage. This includes food waste and other organic materials in and around the homestead. By composting, we’re taking advantage … Read more
When it came to achieving “the perfect nitrogen to carbon ratio”, I was totally lost. Did it have to be so complicated? Actually, it doesn’t! Here’s all you need to know to start making your own ‘black gold’ in no time!