Originally from the Mediterranean region, red wigglers live in the upper layers of soil, not deep in the ground like night crawlers, and will not survive most Vermont winters.įun Fact: 19 species of earthworms have been found to live in Vermont, none of which are native to the state. These are not the night crawler earthworms ( Lumbricus terrestris) common in Vermont. Red wigglers ( Eisenia fetida) are the worms used for vermicomposting. It’s a great option for apartment dwellers and others who don’t have space for a full-fledged compost bin. Vermicomposting is a supplement to a compost pile, not a replacement for one. Best of all, it’s a fun, hands-on learning experience for everyone. It saves water, energy, soil, and landfill space. This composting method is simple, effective, and convenient. Worms work with fungi, bacteria, and other invertebrates (aka “FBI agents”) to transform this organic matter into a usable material, which improves soil structure, nutrient storage and availability, and water retention capability of soils. Worm castings are a fantastic fertilizer for houseplants and your garden and, compared with other fertilizers, worm compost contains more slow-release nutrients that are immediately available to plants. Worm composting (or vermicomposting) is one method to recycle food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil amendment for gardens and house plants. A worm bin can provide many valuable, exciting, and experimental opportunities-not to mention prized plant food after just a few months.įYI: Vermont state law will prohibit all food scraps from the trash in 2020. Worm composting (also known as vermiculture) is one kind of composting that can be done indoors, and is especially great for kids (and in classrooms). Request Form for Exemption from Recycling Serviceįor millions of years, worms have been hard at work breaking down organic materials and returning nutrients to the soil.Recycling & Composting Container Grants.

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