KACHEN #28 (Autumn 2021) English Edition

GREEN KITCHEN
© WURMKISTE.AT
wise the worm will move out. The worm likes shade and
a temperature between 15 and 25 degrees – those are
optimal working conditions. As far as food is concerned:
only plant based, please. On principle: not cooked, not
seasoned and no citrus fruits – same as with your normal
garden compost. It is recommended to add around 20 %
softened cardboard or paper to the compost, the worms
need the fibres it contains. The box fills slowly but steadily,
depending on the amount of food and the size of the
worm population. After around six months the compost
can be harvested. The harvest consists mostly of separating
the worm population from the digested substrate.
Depending on the supplier or layout of the box, the worms
are taken out with a mobile harvest box or by hand. The
leakage water is collected underneath the cube in a catch
basin – there you have the “worm tea” that can be used
diluted as liquid fertilizer. Done is the compost cycle. The
worms can return to their accommodation. The game
starts from the beginning.
FLAT SHARE GOSSIP
As a proud owner of my own private worm flat
share, I will share all the juicy gossip with you…
YES, it’s a bit weird to have worms living in
your seat in your kitchen. BUT this goes away;
at the latest when the wonder for the vegan
workaholics has set in (doesn’t take long).
NO, the compost colleagues have no ambitions
to take over your space and wander around
outside their home. Even when you leave the lid
open (I’ve tested this by accident several times).
NO, the wormery does not smell when properly
handled. If a smell does develop this is indicative
of too much food, for example.
YES, the worms survive a three-week-long
holiday without problems – no worm-sitting
needed.
It’s super easy to get information and tips on the
topic of wormeries online. Worms even have a
big fan following on social media.
Responsible wormery providers do not deliver
the starter population of live worms in cold
temperatures.
wurmkiste.at
hubus-berlin.de
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© WURMKISTE.AT
KACHEN No.28 | AUTUMN 21