Selwyn Times: April 22, 2020

18 Wednesday April 22 2020
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SELWYN TIMES
Composting
in a tube
If you don’t have enough space for a
worm farm or a compost bin, a worm tube
compost cafe could be just the right size
for your garden.
The concept is easy and great for
adding nutrient rich compost to small or
container gardens. All you need is some
PVC pipe, a drill, worms, and kitchen
waste.
How it works
Holes are drilled into the lower half of
the pipe. It is then placed into the garden
so the holes are just below the surface of
the ground. Food scraps are dropped into
the tube on a regular basis and as the waste
breaks down, worms munch their way
through it and leave behind rich castings
(worm poop) that will extend beyond the
tube (up to half a metre) as they travel
through the soil.
What to compost
Compost only non-meat/dairy food
scraps such as vegetables, fruit, egg shells
and coffee grounds.
Make a worm tube compost cafe
You’ll need:
- 70cm length of 15cm PVC pipe
- 90cm narrow pipe or a length of pole
- 13mm spade drill bit
- a lid (recycled), plastic plant pot or a pottery
bowl
- worms
- kitchen food scraps
1. Measure and cut PVC pipe to 70cm length
2. Drill holes in the lower half of the pipe using a
spade drill bit
3. Dig hole in your designated garden space and
bury the tube just deep enough to cover the
holes. Back fill around the tube with dirt.
4. Add some dirt with worms and top with some
food scraps and a small amount of water
5. Use narrow pipe or pole to tamp down the
kitchen waste.
6. Cover opening with an upturned plastic plant
pot or a ceramic dish (fill with water for the
birds)
7. Paint and decorate your worm tube compost
cafe or leave as is
HydRoSEEdINg, INStaNt
LawNS aNd LaNdSCaPINg
• Locally owned &
operated
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commercial lawns
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control
• Irrigation
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• Landscaping
• No job too small
Call us today to discuss all your lawn
and landscaping requirements
Phone 347 4000 or 027 456 7777
Email zac@canterburylawns.co.nz
www.canterburylawns.co.nz
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