What are the major benefits of a worm farm? There are numerous benefits that come from worm farming. The major benefits are that it is a great way to recycle household waste, it provides an enriched soil for plants and gardens, it supplies various animals with food and it is an excellent project to do with the kids.
Building a worm farm is an excellent way to recycle food scraps and other non-food household waste. Fruits, vegetables and starchy food scraps like bread, pasta and oatmeal are good items to feed the worms. Hair cuttings, leaves, paper items, cotton rags and soaked cardboard are other household waste that can be fed to worms. It is amazing that about one-third of household waste can easily end up being recycled by worm farms. This is one of the most important reasons why many people start a worm farm.
A worm farm will produce a wonderfully rich soil that benefits gardens, plants, flower beds and lawns. Worm composting is like a wonder-drug for growing things. Plants and gardens flourish with this worm compost (vermicast) from the worm farm. The economy can even benefit from worm farms. More equipment can be sold to take care of land that uses the enriched soil that worm farms produce. Another big reason to build a worm farm is that you get great soil which is chemical free. Many of the products on the market that you buy have been treated with harmful chemicals.
A worm farm produces a liquid fertilizer known as worm tea. This liquid is great for watering flowers and vegetable gardens. Worm tea is created by pouring water over the castings. It is then collected through a drain that is at the bottom of the container. Tomatoes grow well with worm tea. Remember to water the roots of the tomatoes with the worm tea but keep it off of the plant leaves.
Many animals depend on worms for food. A worm farm will provide farmers that raise chickens and catfish with food for them. A worm farm can provide worms to feed wild birds, pet birds, frogs, turtles, aquarium fish, pond fish and many other animals. Fishermen will start and maintain worm farms for bait. Worms will eat half their body weight each day. The worm population doubles every few months providing the needed food and bait.
A worm farm is a great project to get the kids involved in. The kids will love getting their hands dirty mixing the ingredients to start the worm farm They will also be helping their family recycle household waste. Children will learn the value of recycling and learn to take responsibility for maintaining the worm farm. They will learn about the foods and non-food items that can and cannot be given to worms. In addition, when the kids need a project in school a worm farm is a terrific project that they can take to school and share.
And one final benefit of a worm farm is that it can be turned into a business. Whether for feeding other animals, recycling household waste or providing an enriched soil for gardens and plants, there is certainly a demand for worms and worm composting. Many benefits come from a worm farm.
In many places worm farming is so popular that groups have been formed to tell and share their experiences and dealings with worm farms. It's really interesting when you start to look beyond the simple benefits and see how much worms and a worm farm really helps the environment and society.
