The worm has turned at Bidston urban farm

Jul 8 2009 by Jade Wright, Birkenhead News

TAM O’Shanter Urban Farm has an unusual star attraction this Summer.

As well as the sheep, goats, pigs and ponies, the Bidston farm is home to a working wormery.

“We found we had a lot of organic waste – from the animals in the farm and grass clippings – and a wormery seemed a great way to turn it into compost,” says Nick Harding, ranger for Bidston Hill.

It’s certainly proved to be a hit with visitors.

“The children are fascinated by it. There’s a glass window at the front where you can see all the activity taking place.

“At first they all squeal, but then they’re really interested by how it works. And it’s a good educational tool for teaching children and adults how important worms are in the garden.”

Plus, the farm will be able to make the most of high quality worm compost for its flower beds.

Vermicompost, as it’s known, is the end product of the breakdown of organic matter by some species of earthworm. It is a nutrient – rich, natural fertiliser and soil conditioner.

The most often used for composting is the red earthworm and are commonly found in organic rich soils throughout Europe. They especially prefer the conditions in rotting vegetation, compost and manure piles.

Making your own wormery is simple. Collect up your organic waste, and place moist bedding inside as a welcoming home for your wormy friends.

Bedding is the living medium and food source for the worms, so make it nice and rich for them, and high in carbon and made to mimic a worms natural habitat. The bedding should be moist and loose to enable the worms to breathe – shredded newspaper, sawdust, cardboard, peat moss, aged manure and dried leaves are all ideal.

Finally, your worms are ready to be added.

As your wormery develops, add in kitchen waste – rotting fruit, vegetable peelings and stale bread are all ideal. An occasional sprinkling of garden soil in the bin gives the worms grit they need to digest food.

To find out more about worms and wormeries, see www.wirralnews.co.uk/environment/ or head down to Tam O’Shanter, Boundary Road, Bidston, Wirral, CH43 7PD. Tel 0151 653 9332. Open daily: 9.30am - 4.30pm. Entry is free.