What is a Worm Composter?

A worm composter is a built or purchased container devised to create compost using worms. Vermicomposting, or worm composting, differs from traditional composting because it uses the natural digestive mechanisms of worms and other symbiotic organisms to breakdown and convert organic matter into plant food. Worm composters, in general, use red earthworms, also commonly called red wigglers, to consume organic waste, producing castings (an odor-free compost product for use as mulch), soil conditioner, and topsoil additive. Naturally occurring organisms, such as bacteria and millipedes, also assist in the aerobic degradation of the organic material. There are several types of worms that can be used for vermicomposting, but red wigglers have proven the most effective.

Worm Composters v. Traditional Composting

So why compost with worms using a worm composter like the Worm Factory® instead of just making a compost heap in the corner of the yard?

There are several distinct advantages to composting with worms in a worm composter. One is turn over time: vermicomposting turns your kitchen scraps and junk mail (yeah junk mail too!) into usable, nutrient rich fertilizer in a matter of months, whereas traditional composting can take a lot longer. Second, a worm composter, such as the Worm Factory®, is portable. It can be maintained and used indoors or out, and can be moved relatively easily. Traditional compost heaps are stationary and usually, depending on where you live, seasonal. Third, worm composters are easier to manage than traditional compost heaps. Traditional compost piles have to be turned consistently and often to expose the contents to oxygen. Worm composters are largely self-regulating - The Worm Factory®, for example, is designed so that oxygen flows through the system, and composting worms are extremely adept at regulating their own population and environment. And fourth, worm compost is of considerably higher quality than traditional compost. Worms are nature's recyclers, and they have the amazing ability to eliminate pathogens and carcinogens in the soil as they process organic materials.

Which Worm Composter is the Best?

The Worm Factory®, of course! The Worm Factory® is designed as a flow-through, stackable tray system. Read on to learn more!