Ever wondered what to do with all that kitchen waste? Throwing it away is no longer acceptable due to pressing environmental issues, but putting cooked food on a compost heap leads to other problems. The answer is to invest in a wormery.
Wormeries are composting systems that utilise certain types of worms called Brandling worms and the end product is organic liquid fertiliser and worm compost. Wormeries can be bought ready to use; or home-made ones make use of a plastic bin, eg an old water butt with a tap at the bottom to drain off liquid. Place a mesh at the base so liquid can drain away keeping the bedding material, worms and food above. A lid will keep rain etc out, and warmth in. Place in a sheltered position away from extremes of temperature.
The worms will eat all manner of kitchen scraps, and prefer food in small pieces. Avoid meat and fish, and large quantities of food that is acidic eg onions and citrus fruits. Worms need lots of dry fibre so add torn up egg boxes, toilet roll centres, torn up cardboard and pet hair etc. To correct any acid build up add a handful of lime mix, crushed egg shells, or calcified seaweed every week. Feed worms regularly using small portions and they will, given the right conditions, eat up to half their own body weight in food each day, and double their population in a few months. If you go away, make sure there is food in the wormery and the worms will adjust.
The worms produce compost which is highly fertile. Collect this regularly and either spread around plants as a top dressing 12 mm deep, or use as a base for potting or seed compost. Drain off the liquid formed regularly, and dilute using 1 part liquid to 9 parts water and use as a liquid fertiliser. Soil health improves as the worm products attract beneficial soil organisms, which make nutrients available to plants. Plants grow stronger and healthier reducing the need for chemical intervention.
If you do not have room for a wormery, then consider the Bokashi system using specially selected micro-organisms mixed with bran inside a specially designed bucket. It is small enough to be kept in the kitchen and without a smell. All kitchen waste can be added, and the micro-organisms will process this within a couple of weeks.