The many benefits of vermicomposting

Let's review many benefits of vermicomposting

Benefits in your Home

• Reduce the amount of organic matter in your trash

1. fewer bags
2. less stinky!
• Provides free soil amendment and fertilizer
• Great fun for children
• You are recycling nutrients into your yard

Economic Benefits (Micro and Macro)

• Saves you money
1. you don't have to buy fertilizer
2. directly save money if you have pay-per-bag for trash
• Saves your town money
1. less trash= less diesel to haul trash
2. less trash= lower tipping fees at landfill
• If your town uses trash-to-steam, organic wastes is not an efficient source of energy

Benefits to Soil (when vermicompost is used outside)

• Improves its physical structure or tilth
• Establishes and supports soil micro-organisms
• Improves water holding capacity

Benefits to Plants

• Improves plant health
1. Enhances germination & growth
• Improves root growth and structure
1. Enhances uptake of nutrients and micronutrients

Environmental Benefits

• Most of the above are great for the environment
1. less diesel to transport waste
2. recycling waste on-site
3. reducing the need to produce fertilizer
• Improving soil structure leads to healthier plants
1. need less water
2. need fewer pesticides
• Improving soil in your yard= less runoff

If you're not vermicomposting, why not start today. If you already have a worm bin, consider giving a bin and some of your worms as a gift. Just make a bin and give a half gallon worms and vermicompost (bed run) from an active area of your bin to a friend or family member. They will thank you!

Cheers,

Mark