At a glance: Compost and Worm Farming has the advantage of being essentially two books in one. However, it’s let down by a lack of images and illustrated plans. While it is more than enough to get you started, there’s better options out there. One of my aims this year is to add more book […]
Composting and Worm Farming Review Read More »
In the dense, buzzing rainforests of Central and South America, an extraordinary story of mutual survival is unfolding in the canopies. Meet the Azteca ants and their Cecropia tree hosts—partners in one of nature’s most fascinating composting systems. A partnership built over millenia The Azteca-Cecropia relationship is a relationship that has developed over millions of
The Secret Compost Masters of the Tropics: Azteca Ants and Cecropia Trees Read More »
When I first started vermicomposting, I turned to the seminal work on the subject: Worms Eat My Garbage. The author, Mary Appelhof, built her first worm bin in 1972 and self-published the first edition of the book ten years later. She would go on to sell over 100,000 copies before her death in 2005. My
Worms Eat My Garbage – Review Read More »
It’s the 27th of December, and after 10 days away I decided to top up my worm bin with some manure and straw. When I lifted the lid off to add the material, I immediately saw a bunch of worms at the top (some munching on some well rotted kitchen waste). That’s despite the fact
Do Compost Worms Die in Winter? Not In My Experience Read More »
At work last year, one of my colleagues decided to grow a tonne of chili plants. He promised to distribute some of these chilis amongst the rest of us. I’d requested Jalapenos, as this breed was missing from my own collection this year. When they came, the chili plants were poor specimens indeed. Each one
The Magic Of Worm Castings (And How to Use Them) Read More »
If you’ve read a few of our articles (covering everything from composting fish to dead chickens), you won’t be surprised to learn that bread can also be composted. In fact, bread is easier to compost than many other materials we’ve covered. However, like all food scraps, it does come with some unique challenges. Why compost
How to Compost Bread (The Pest-Free Method) Read More »
Fish guts and remains can present a challenge for the amateur composter. It’s something I’ve become well aware of, as when I am not gardening or composting I am often fishing. It’s a great way to provide protein to go with the veg from the garden – and it’s far less damaging to the environment
How to Compost Fish: No Smell, 3 Simple Steps Read More »
Imagine having a simple kitchen bin in your kitchen. You throw your waste in it, and compost comes out the other side – without you having to do anything in between! Sounds too good to be true, right? Many electric composters have promised this but haven’t always lived up to the hype. These bins rightly
The Dirt on Whether Electric Composters Are Worth It Read More »
Every year, a staggering 60% of household waste comes from food scraps—reaching over 600 million tonnes globally. It doesn’t need to be this way. Instead of sending this waste to landfill, where it generates methane emissions, you can turn it into valuable, nutrient-rich compost right in your kitchen. From worm composting to Bokashi bins, this
Easy Kitchen Composting: How to Turn Scraps Into Plants Read More »
India, 2023. A small bin stands in a lab, filled with organic waste. But this is no ordinary compost bin. The compost is moving and shifting. Along the top crawl insects. Cockroaches. Welcome to the world of blatticomposting – a form of composting that could help deal with the mountain of organic waste countries like
Cockroach Composting: Turning Trash into ‘Frass’ Read More »