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Practical guide to setting up a vermicomposter on your balcony
Contents
Introduction
Welcome to the wonderful world of vermicomposting! This natural process transforms your organic waste into a rich, nutritious fertilizer for your plants. Even in urban environments, where outdoor space is limited, vermicomposting is a relevant solution, especially on your balcony, thanks to innovative tools like the City Worms®. Discover all our tips!
What is vermicomposting?
Vermicomposting is a composting method using compost worms, which differ from earthworms in that they don't play the same role in decomposing materials. Compost worms are used to speed up the decomposition of organic waste. These amazing creatures eat kitchen waste and transform it into humus, a highly fertile organic material.
A solution for urban balconies
Vermicomposting is particularly suited to urban environments for several reasons. First, it requires very little space. A vermicomposter like the City Worms® is compact enough to be placed on a balcony, in a garage or even in a kitchen. Unlike a traditional composter, it doesn't attract pests such as rats or flies, making it an ideal solution for densely populated areas.
The environmental and gardening benefits of vermicomposting
By composting your waste, you reduce the amount sent to sorting centers, which is good for the environment. What's more, the vermicompost produced is a rich organic fertilizer, perfect for feeding your indoor and outdoor plants. It contains essential nutrients that stimulate plant growth, improve soil structure and help retain water.
How to install a vermicomposter on a balcony?
Before buying a vermicomposter, it's important to consider several criteria. In an urban environment, size is a crucial factor. You'll need to choose a model that's compact but big enough to handle the amount of organic waste you produce. The City Worms® vermicomposter is an excellent choice, with its compact, functional design.
Installation steps for the City Worms® worm composter
Installation of the City Worms® vermicomposter is simple: after assembling the vermicomposter, you need to choose the ideal location (sheltered from sun, wind and rain). Then start by adding a layer of basic material (shredded paper, cardboard, crushed eggshells) to the first bin (or work tray ). Then add the worms and a small amount of kitchen waste. Finally, cover with the mattress provided, and place the lid on top. To find out more, go straight to our getting started guide.
The importance of location: light, temperature, easy access
The location of your vermicomposter is very important. It should be placed in a place where the temperature is constant and moderate, ideally between 15 and 25°C. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight, which could excessively raise its temperature. It should also be easily accessible, so that you can add waste regularly and harvest the compost when it's ready. Remember that above 35° your little worms will die, so take good care of them!
Day-to-day management of the vermicomposter
What to compost
In your vermicomposter, you can compost a variety of organic waste: fruit and vegetable peelings, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags... It's important to balance "green" materials (moist and rich in nitrogen, such as fruit and vegetable peelings) and "brown" materials (dry and rich in carbon, such as paper and cardboard) to maintain a healthy environment for the worms. Worms prefer a slightly damp environment, so if the composter becomes too dry, you can add a little water.
What are the signs of a healthy vermicomposter?
A healthy vermicomposter doesn't give off unpleasant odours. On the contrary, it should smell like fresh earth. What's more, you should see visible worm activity and the organic matter should gradually decompose. Finally, the production of vermicompost and compost tea is a good sign that your vermicomposter is working well. Bearing in mind that more air circulates outdoors, a balcony vermicomposter will tend to produce slightly less liquid.
How to deal with odor problems?
When properly managed, vermicomposting does not produce unpleasant odors. However, if your vermicomposter does produce an unpleasant odour, this is often a sign of imbalance. This may be due to over-feeding of the worms, insufficient ventilation or excess humidity. To remedy this, reduce waste additions, add "brown" materials to absorb excess moisture and make sure your vermicomposter is well aerated. The City Worms® is designed to prevent these problems, thanks to its well-thought-out design.
Overcoming the specific challenges of vermicomposting on a balcony
In winter, you need to protect the vermicomposter from frost, which can kill the worms. You can wrap a blanket around it (not cover it, to avoid suffocating it) or move it to a warmer place. In summer, protect it from excessive heat by placing it in the shade and making sure it doesn't dry out. Protect it with a parasol or add water if necessary, but be careful not to saturate it.
Also, a vermicomposter on a balcony needs to be protected from the elements. Excessive rain could asphyxiate the entire system. An umbrella will do the trick!
How to use vermicompost and compost tea?
When and how to harvest vermicompost and compost tea?
Vermicompost is generally harvested 3 to 6 months after starting up the vermicomposter, when most of the waste has been transformed into humus. To harvest it, simply remove the bottom tray of your City Worms® vermicomposter. The vermicompost liquid is collected at the bottom of the vermicomposter. You can collect it using the tap provided.
What are the possible uses for container and balcony gardening?
Vermicompost is an excellent fertilizer for your potted plants. It's rich in essential nutrients and improves soil structure. You can use it for potting or topdressing, by adding a thin layer to the surface of your pots. Earthworm is also an excellent liquid fertilizer. Dilute it with water before using it to water your plants. If you're looking for one, check out our Garden In Love®.
Vermicompost is an excellent fertilizer for your potted plants. It's rich in essential nutrients and improves soil structure. You can use it for potting or topdressing, by adding a thin layer to the surface of your pots. Earthworm is also an excellent liquid fertilizer. Dilute it with water before using it to water your plants. If you're looking for a fermented organic fertilizer, check out our Garden In Love®.
Common mistakes to avoid when vermicomposting on a balcony
One of the most common mistakes is overfeeding the worms, which can lead to problems with odors, excess moisture and fermentation. Another common mistake is not balancing "green" and "brown" materials. Too much green matter can make the compost too moist and acidic, while too much brown matter can make it too dry, as mentioned above.
How do you maintain your vermicomposter over the long term?
To keep your vermicomposter in good condition over the long term, follow these simple rules: don't overload your vermicomposter, maintain a good balance between green and brown matter, ensure good aeration and adequate humidity, and harvest vermicompost regularly. With these good practices, your vermicomposter will provide you with quality fertilizer for many years to come.
To sum up
Vermicomposting on a balcony is a rewarding and environmentally-friendly practice, even in an urban environment. By transforming your organic waste into natural fertilizer, you're helping to reduce waste and create fertile soil. So don't wait any longer, start vermicomposting with City Worms®!
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