Gardening in Hampton Roads: Composting with worms will make your plants healthier
Worms

Ron Crum checks on his composting worms, which he keeps outdoors in a protective cold frame during winter and indoors in large ventilated bins. (Sangjib Min / Daily Press / April 2, 2010)

Kathy Van Mullekom Diggin' In

April 15, 2010
"When the worms get going, you will be amazed at how quickly they multiply. Once your worm population exceeds your bin, you have fun dividing them among friends or you can release them in your garden."

"Worm castings can be worked into the soil for almost any type of plant. The best thing is a little goes a long way."

Worms like …

•A warm, moist, dark and quiet environment with lots of bedding such as newspaper strips and cardboard pieces.

•Kitchen scraps like fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds and filters and tea bags — no meat, bones, dairy products, greasy foods or pet manure.

•A little fiber — paper, sand or grit — for their digestive process.

Wonderful worms …

•Convert organic matter into nutrients plants can use.

•Loosen soil, making it easier for plant roots to grow and absorb nutrients.

•Create air tunnels to oxygenate your soil.

•Balance the soil food web that naturally fertilizes your plants.

•Provide a valuable food source for songbirds.