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Composting
Worm Farms and Bokashi
A “How To” Guide
Page 2
What is compost?
Quite simply it is a mixture of organic material
that is used as fertiliser! Generally, the ingre-
dients used to make compost come from our
gardens and kitchens (food scraps) although or-
ganic material is anything that was once living.
Compost results from the decomposition or
break down of garden and food scraps (organic
material). It can take anywhere between 2 and
18 months before compost is ready to use. The
length of time depends on the compost method
used, what gets put into the bin, the time of
year and how often the material is turned.
As the organic material breaks down, it changes
and becomes what is known as humus. During
the process, soil micro-organisms, worms and
insects convert the organics into a soil-like
material which can then be used in the garden.
The benefits of compost
It returns organic matter to the soil.•
It reduces the harmful effects of•
organic waste in landfill (e.g., water
pollution, emissions of the potent
greenhouse gas methane and bad
smells).
It reduces the need for chemical•
fertilisers in your garden.
It reduces rubbish collection costs.•
It reduces the space needed for•
landfills.
Producing your own compost saves•
money.
Page 3
How to get started
Choose a site carefully. Ideally, it should be•
warm and sheltered.
Start with a layer of coarsely chopped twiggy•
woody material on bare soil or grass.
Add alternate layers of green matter (nitrogen•
rich) and brown matter (carbon rich) prefer-
ably in layers no more than 5-10 cm deep
If you cannot be bothered layering, just make•
sure there is a mixture of green and brown
matter. NB: Smaller pieces make quicker
compost.
Limit all materials, including grass clippings,•
to thin layers.
Avoid cat/dog/human faeces, meat, fish,•
bones, oil and invasive weeds.
The heap should have a cover, e.g., plastic lid,•
underfelt, tarpaulin.
Rodents can be kept out by cutting out a•
piece of chicken wire larger than the bin
base. Place it underneath the bin on the soil
and fold the edges 10cm up the sides of the
bin.
Compost activators such as a dried blood and•
bone can be added to the compost to speed
things up
Sprinkling on lime and untreated wood ash•
can help balance pH and reduce smells.
The heap should be as moist as a wrung out•
sponge
Avoid excessive moisture by keeping the heap•
covered.
To work properly, your compost heap needs•
to reach temperatures between 30 and 60ºC.
From time to time, check that it is heating up
in the centre; it should feel warm.
Compost needs air - turn and mix it up to•
aerate and speed up decomposition.
Once an open heap is 1 metre in height, you•
should finish it by turning it with a pitchfork
and mixing it up every week or two.
Compost is ready when it becomes a sweet,•
dark, crumbly material and the original com-
ponents are unrecognisable.
If compost is well maintained and turned of-•
ten, it can be ready in as little as 6-8 weeks.
If it is never turned, it will be ready in 12-18
months.
When it is ready, put it on the soil or dig it•
into your garden. You can also use it for pot
plants and for potting up seedlings.
Composting tip 1:
When adding food scraps, it is espe-
cially useful to add an equal quantity
of brown material on top such as dry
leaves to reduce odours.
Page 4
Types of compost bins
Before you choose a compost bin you should
consider what you will be putting in it. Larg-
er, open bins are better for people with large
amounts of garden waste.
Smaller, enclosed bins are more suitable for
households with large quantities of food waste
as they provide a barrier to rodents.
You may find you need both! There are a num-
ber of points to consider before you buy a bin.
These are:
The number of people in your home•
The size of your garden•
The capacity of your bin, taking the above•
into consideration
Your ability to turn compost with•
a garden fork
Make your own compost bin
If you are making your own bin, you can use a
wide range of material, including chicken wire,
wood, plywood, bricks, concrete blocks, etc.
It must be on the soil and no smaller than 1m
high x 1m wide x 1m deep and no larger than
5m3
.
For large amounts of garden waste, units can
be made from wood, bricks or concrete blocks.
Ready access from the front is necessary.
Stacking bins have the advantage of being move-
able and can be extended to cope with large
amounts of waste. Black polythene or sacks
may be used for lining, warmth and moisture
control. Wrap a netting frame around wooden
stakes. Line these with newspaper or cardboard
to retain heat.
Composting tip 2:
Make sure you get all your questions
answered by the retailer or manufac-
turer before purchase and check out
whether there is any further support
available once you have purchased
the bin. Make sure the bin is
manageable for you!
Page 5
What is worm farming?
Worm farming is another alternative to com-
posting; it is also referred to as ‘vermiculture’
or vermi-composting. Usually tiger worms are
used for worm farming in New Zealand, though
red worms can also be used.
Worm farming uses the same principles as com-
posting, but it does not generate heat, making it
cold composting.
Worms happily eat food scraps and excrete valu-
able materials known as vermicasts and worm
tea which are high in nitrogen, phosphorous and
potassium (NPK) compared to ordinary soil.
This makes them valuable for plant leaf growth,
root and stem strength, flower and fruit growth.
The benefits of worm
farming
Casts and worm tea are fantastic•
for plants (always dilute the worm
tea with water to the colour of
weak tea - usually about 1:10).
If you have mostly kitchen waste•
and live in a home with little or no
outdoor space, a worm farm is a
good option.
Same environmental and cost•
benefits as composting
Kids enjoy them.•
Page 6
other layer to your worm farm. Place a new
layer on top of the old one and then add
bedding (paper/straw/manure) and then add
more food scraps
Only add food to the new layer. The worms•
will migrate slowly to the food layer
If you have large layers in your plastic bin and•
want to harvest casts earlier, add a layer of
chicken wire instead of a new plastic layer
How to get started
Choose a site which is sheltered from sun,•
wind and rain. Carports or porches are ideal.
Use a layer of bedding first—e.g., hay/coco-•
nut fibre/shredded cardboard/paper. Bedding
should be damp and porous.
Add worms. 1,000 (250g) is fine; 2000 is•
even better!
Food can then be added. You can cover food•
scraps with damp newspaper or cardboard to
limit flies and odour.
Worms can eat their own weight each day•
but do not overfeed at start (e.g., for 250g of
worms give about 200g of food)
Worms need air but not light (worms are•
photophobic). They also like a moist environ-
ment, so water (hose) occasionally. They do
not like very hot or cold conditions (10-30
degrees is OK).
Add dry leaves or torn up paper products if it•
is too wet - the working area should be as
damp as a wrung out sponge
Add food scraps regularly. Smaller pieces will•
be eaten more quickly and prevent odours.
Small flies or white worms/bugs indicate the•
worm farm has become too acidic; add a
sprinkling of lime to neutralise the pH.
After a few months or when a layer is full,•
you should harvest the casts.
Remove the top layer and take off the bottom•
layer. This bottom layer contains the casts. It
is ready when few worms can be seen.
Remove worm tea from the bottom level (di-•
lute when using) and pop on your garden or
pot plants.
When current layer is full, you can add an-•
Types of worm bins
Bins generally have two to three layers;
some bins can have extra layers added to
increase capacity. Note that it is easier to
harvest worm casts from bins which have
more shallow layers. Size, price and func-
tionality vary a lot, so ask questions before
you buy!
A tray/layer/stacker system allows for•
easy removal of worm casts.
Bins with taps allow the worm tea to be•
extracted easily
Some bins stand on legs which can be•
easier to proof against pests.
Some bins are made from recycled plas-•
tic and made locally
Sizes and costs vary from $20 to $200•
Worms and food scraps are added to•
the top working tray which has a vent-
ed lid. More levels can be added once
the first working tray has filled with
worm casts
A three-tray system allows for easy re-•
moval of worm casts with minimal loss
of worms
Page 7
Stockists
Worm bins can be
purchased from various
outlets including your
local garden or hard-
ware store. Look under
“worm farming” in the
Yellow Pages and call
first to get an idea of
products and prices,
or call the Sustaining
Hawke’s Bay Environ-
ment Centre on (06)
870 4942
Make your own worm bin
You can easily make a worm bin out of large
buckets, polystyrene trays or an old bath.
If you use a bath, remove the plug. If you want
to, you could build a frame to allow the bath
to sit securely at waist height. Bricks, posts or
blocks may be used for elevation, and for stabil-
ity, i.e., 100-150mm height (allowing room for
the liquid collection container placed beneath
the plug outlet). The plug outlet end must be no
less than a 5 degree fall to the lowest point to
The
diet
What worms like
Moist fruit and vegetable scraps•
Coffee grounds and tea bags•
Aged horse manure•
Dirty paper•
Crushed eggshells•
Vacuum cleaner dust•
Hair•
What worms do not like
Spicy food, chilli, onion, garlic•
Meat and milk products•
Flour products•
Large amounts of cooked food•
Garden waste•
Shiny paper•
Citrus/very acidic fruit•
achieve adequate drainage. Roofing such as ply
or corrugated iron will be needed to shed water
and provide protection from summer sun.
Place into the base of the bath 1.5m of 65mm
perforated drainage pipe with two layers of old
stockings. This seals the ends and covers the
perforations which stop the pipe blocking. Add
pumice sand or scoria to a depth of 75mm then
place shade cloth, doubled over and cut to fit, on
top of filtering layer.
Page 8
Problem: Cause Solution
Rotting food Too much for population Feed less
Fruit/vinegar flies around
farm or small white bugs and
worms
Too acidic
Cover food with damp paper
and add Lime to increase pH
Worms climbing up sides/
worms very fat and pale
Too wet
Add paper products and dry
leaves, gently fork holes in the
working layer
Ants Too dry or acidic
Add water/lime. If your worm
farm is on legs, place each leg
in a container of water to stop
such pests from getting in.
Food rotting and not eaten
Too much food/wrong food/
pieces too big
Add less food, break into small
pieces
No worm tea Not enough water Add water
Common worm farming problems
Bedding
Free-draining fibrous matured compost is ide-
al given that it is not going to produce heat.
Dampened shredded corrugated cardboard and
lunch paper give increased air availability and
reduce the risk of bedding material heating up.
You need to water well and leave at least two
days. Then check for temperatures over 25 de-
grees. If there are any unpleasant odours, apply
two handfuls of garden lime and mix in. Only
apply old lawns clippings, as fresh clipping heat
up and cook the worms.
For quick results, 500g-1kg (2,000-4,000
worms) should be enough for your worm farm
to cope with 400gms to 800gms of mixed food
waste each day. This volume will increase as the
worms multiply. Spread worms on to bedding
and spread food scraps in one area and rotate
feed sites.
As the bath fills use a garden fork and loosen
the bedding; this increases air circulation and
reduces bedding compaction.
To remove the casts, once the worm farm is full
(after 9 to 18 months), place a plastic sheet or
large container next to the bath and using a
garden fork remove the top half of the worms’
bedding. This is undigested food and is where
a majority of the worms will be. Place this to
one side.
Remove all casts. Rinse drainage layer thor-
oughly catching all liquid. Replace the contents
that were put aside and commence the feeding,
forking, watering process when required.
Your bath worm farm will ultimately digest
about 1-2 litres of mixed organic waste a day.
Page 9
What can I do with the worm casts?
Worm casts can be mixed with potting mix, seed
raising mix and compost (about 20% casts to 80%
mix), and is the perfect medium into which to plant
seedlings, plants and trees. Casts do not have to be
diluted for use in the garden, but make sure they
are mixed in to the soil. For best results, add com-
post and mulch as soil cover.
Composting
What makes my compost smell?
A compost high in nitrogen with no air will become
acidic. Add carbon and turn your compost.
How do I keep rodents out?
Add grass clippings to increase heat and turn regu-
larly.
What can I not put in a compost bin?
Do not put in meat, bread, heavy unshredded prun-
ings (see “What not to compost”).
How long do I have to wait until my
compost is ready?
A well maintained compost bin will produce com-
post in 3-4 months in summer, and up to 6 months
in winter. However, times vary depending on the
method, bin contents, time of year and regularity
of turning.
Do I need to add water?
If you add a 50/50 mix of nitrogen, materials which
are wet, and carbon materials that are dry, it will be
of a crumbly consistency.
How will compost help my garden?
Compost feeds the soil, helps with water retention
and encourages earthworms into your garden.
Worm Farming
How many worms do I need to start?
1000 is OK, but a bin takes some time to get going;
2000 worms (500gms) will get a bin working much
more quickly and efficiently.
What food can I use in a worm bin?
Worms like a mix of fruit and vegetables (70%) and
carbon material (30%). Carbon material includes
scrunched up envelopes, handee towels, tissues,
shredded paper - any paper that is NOT shiny and
coloured or plastic coated is OK. Worms don’t like
citrus, bread, meat, onions, garlic, excess kiwifruit
of large amounts of grass and leaves.
What if there are lots of fruit flies?
Add a decent sprinkling of lime and wait a day or
two. If you still have flies, add more lime and car-
bon material (e.g., paper or dried leaves).
Do I need to lime my worm bin?
A small handful of lime or gypsum once a month
helps to keep the food sweet.
What do I do if I go on holiday?
Add to the bin as follows:
1-2 weeks: empty out your fridge of any fruit and
vegetables
2-3 weeks: dried grass or coconut fibre from a gar-
den centre or worm grower
4+ weeks: coconut fibre block from garden centre
or worm grower.
How much do I dilute the ‘worm tea’?
Worm tea is very high in nitrogen and needs to be
watered down to about 1:10, or so it is the colour
of weak tea. The liquid is so rich that it can be
harmful if not diluted.
Frequently asked questions
Page 10
What is Bokashi?
Bokashi is a generic Japanese term, meaning ‘fer-
mented organic matter’. Widely used through-
out New Zealand, Bokashi Compost-Zing turns
household organic matter into highly productive
garden compost in just four weeks.
Bokashi reduces organic waste volume, enhanc-
es soil condition, reduces odours and speeds up
the rate of decomposition.
The system is often showcased at local and na-
tional Eco, Home and Garden shows. Bokashi is
available through the Sustaining Hawke’s Bay
Environment Centre, organic product retailers,
and various gardening outlets.
Not only is it easy to use, readily available, and
environmentally friendly, it also gives you many
advantages over regular composting:
up to 50% quicker composting time•
less odour as the food decays•
increased growing power•
healthier and more productive plants•
requires no mixing•
produces a natural pour-on liquid fertiliser•
as well as physical compost.
For more information contact the Sustaining
Hawke’s Bay Environment Centre on (06) 870
4942 or visit www.bokashi.co.nz
Page 11
NAME ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER
Blackbridge Transfer Station
(Saturday to Monday only)
Mill Road Haumoana 06 870 0574
Henderson Road Transfer Station Henderson Road, Hastings 06 879 4623
Redcliffe Transfer Station Springfield Road, Napier 06 844 4945
Bio Rich (by Agreement) www.biorich.co.nz 0800 246 742
Clean Earth Ltd – Green Waste www.cleanearth.co.nz 06 844 1060
Bay Environmental Bins Ltd PO Box 8747 Havelock North 06 877 7297
For more information on Bokashi Compost-Zing System or worm farms contact:
Sustaining Hawke’s Bay
Environment Centre
220 Russell Street, Hastings 06 870 4942
Garden bag and bin collections
There are green waste collection services available to Hawke’s Bay residents. Some accept invasive
weeds as well as ordinary garden waste. Please refer to the table below.
Garden waste disposal
The Council Refuse Transfer Stations in Napier and Hastings accept garden waste at discounted
rates. There are also businesses which accept or collect green waste for composting. You will need
to contact them directly to check what kind of garden waste they will accept, their opening hours
and their charges.
Useful websites
www.earthworms.co.nz
www.mastercomposter.com
www.wormsrus.co.nz
www.kiwiearthworms.co.nz
Brought to you by the Hastings District Council, Napier City Council
and the Wipe Out Waste Education Programme
Thank you and
enjoy composting!

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Composting Worm Farms and Bokashi: A How To Guide

  • 1. Composting Worm Farms and Bokashi A “How To” Guide
  • 2. Page 2 What is compost? Quite simply it is a mixture of organic material that is used as fertiliser! Generally, the ingre- dients used to make compost come from our gardens and kitchens (food scraps) although or- ganic material is anything that was once living. Compost results from the decomposition or break down of garden and food scraps (organic material). It can take anywhere between 2 and 18 months before compost is ready to use. The length of time depends on the compost method used, what gets put into the bin, the time of year and how often the material is turned. As the organic material breaks down, it changes and becomes what is known as humus. During the process, soil micro-organisms, worms and insects convert the organics into a soil-like material which can then be used in the garden. The benefits of compost It returns organic matter to the soil.• It reduces the harmful effects of• organic waste in landfill (e.g., water pollution, emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane and bad smells). It reduces the need for chemical• fertilisers in your garden. It reduces rubbish collection costs.• It reduces the space needed for• landfills. Producing your own compost saves• money.
  • 3. Page 3 How to get started Choose a site carefully. Ideally, it should be• warm and sheltered. Start with a layer of coarsely chopped twiggy• woody material on bare soil or grass. Add alternate layers of green matter (nitrogen• rich) and brown matter (carbon rich) prefer- ably in layers no more than 5-10 cm deep If you cannot be bothered layering, just make• sure there is a mixture of green and brown matter. NB: Smaller pieces make quicker compost. Limit all materials, including grass clippings,• to thin layers. Avoid cat/dog/human faeces, meat, fish,• bones, oil and invasive weeds. The heap should have a cover, e.g., plastic lid,• underfelt, tarpaulin. Rodents can be kept out by cutting out a• piece of chicken wire larger than the bin base. Place it underneath the bin on the soil and fold the edges 10cm up the sides of the bin. Compost activators such as a dried blood and• bone can be added to the compost to speed things up Sprinkling on lime and untreated wood ash• can help balance pH and reduce smells. The heap should be as moist as a wrung out• sponge Avoid excessive moisture by keeping the heap• covered. To work properly, your compost heap needs• to reach temperatures between 30 and 60ºC. From time to time, check that it is heating up in the centre; it should feel warm. Compost needs air - turn and mix it up to• aerate and speed up decomposition. Once an open heap is 1 metre in height, you• should finish it by turning it with a pitchfork and mixing it up every week or two. Compost is ready when it becomes a sweet,• dark, crumbly material and the original com- ponents are unrecognisable. If compost is well maintained and turned of-• ten, it can be ready in as little as 6-8 weeks. If it is never turned, it will be ready in 12-18 months. When it is ready, put it on the soil or dig it• into your garden. You can also use it for pot plants and for potting up seedlings. Composting tip 1: When adding food scraps, it is espe- cially useful to add an equal quantity of brown material on top such as dry leaves to reduce odours.
  • 4. Page 4 Types of compost bins Before you choose a compost bin you should consider what you will be putting in it. Larg- er, open bins are better for people with large amounts of garden waste. Smaller, enclosed bins are more suitable for households with large quantities of food waste as they provide a barrier to rodents. You may find you need both! There are a num- ber of points to consider before you buy a bin. These are: The number of people in your home• The size of your garden• The capacity of your bin, taking the above• into consideration Your ability to turn compost with• a garden fork Make your own compost bin If you are making your own bin, you can use a wide range of material, including chicken wire, wood, plywood, bricks, concrete blocks, etc. It must be on the soil and no smaller than 1m high x 1m wide x 1m deep and no larger than 5m3 . For large amounts of garden waste, units can be made from wood, bricks or concrete blocks. Ready access from the front is necessary. Stacking bins have the advantage of being move- able and can be extended to cope with large amounts of waste. Black polythene or sacks may be used for lining, warmth and moisture control. Wrap a netting frame around wooden stakes. Line these with newspaper or cardboard to retain heat. Composting tip 2: Make sure you get all your questions answered by the retailer or manufac- turer before purchase and check out whether there is any further support available once you have purchased the bin. Make sure the bin is manageable for you!
  • 5. Page 5 What is worm farming? Worm farming is another alternative to com- posting; it is also referred to as ‘vermiculture’ or vermi-composting. Usually tiger worms are used for worm farming in New Zealand, though red worms can also be used. Worm farming uses the same principles as com- posting, but it does not generate heat, making it cold composting. Worms happily eat food scraps and excrete valu- able materials known as vermicasts and worm tea which are high in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK) compared to ordinary soil. This makes them valuable for plant leaf growth, root and stem strength, flower and fruit growth. The benefits of worm farming Casts and worm tea are fantastic• for plants (always dilute the worm tea with water to the colour of weak tea - usually about 1:10). If you have mostly kitchen waste• and live in a home with little or no outdoor space, a worm farm is a good option. Same environmental and cost• benefits as composting Kids enjoy them.•
  • 6. Page 6 other layer to your worm farm. Place a new layer on top of the old one and then add bedding (paper/straw/manure) and then add more food scraps Only add food to the new layer. The worms• will migrate slowly to the food layer If you have large layers in your plastic bin and• want to harvest casts earlier, add a layer of chicken wire instead of a new plastic layer How to get started Choose a site which is sheltered from sun,• wind and rain. Carports or porches are ideal. Use a layer of bedding first—e.g., hay/coco-• nut fibre/shredded cardboard/paper. Bedding should be damp and porous. Add worms. 1,000 (250g) is fine; 2000 is• even better! Food can then be added. You can cover food• scraps with damp newspaper or cardboard to limit flies and odour. Worms can eat their own weight each day• but do not overfeed at start (e.g., for 250g of worms give about 200g of food) Worms need air but not light (worms are• photophobic). They also like a moist environ- ment, so water (hose) occasionally. They do not like very hot or cold conditions (10-30 degrees is OK). Add dry leaves or torn up paper products if it• is too wet - the working area should be as damp as a wrung out sponge Add food scraps regularly. Smaller pieces will• be eaten more quickly and prevent odours. Small flies or white worms/bugs indicate the• worm farm has become too acidic; add a sprinkling of lime to neutralise the pH. After a few months or when a layer is full,• you should harvest the casts. Remove the top layer and take off the bottom• layer. This bottom layer contains the casts. It is ready when few worms can be seen. Remove worm tea from the bottom level (di-• lute when using) and pop on your garden or pot plants. When current layer is full, you can add an-• Types of worm bins Bins generally have two to three layers; some bins can have extra layers added to increase capacity. Note that it is easier to harvest worm casts from bins which have more shallow layers. Size, price and func- tionality vary a lot, so ask questions before you buy! A tray/layer/stacker system allows for• easy removal of worm casts. Bins with taps allow the worm tea to be• extracted easily Some bins stand on legs which can be• easier to proof against pests. Some bins are made from recycled plas-• tic and made locally Sizes and costs vary from $20 to $200• Worms and food scraps are added to• the top working tray which has a vent- ed lid. More levels can be added once the first working tray has filled with worm casts A three-tray system allows for easy re-• moval of worm casts with minimal loss of worms
  • 7. Page 7 Stockists Worm bins can be purchased from various outlets including your local garden or hard- ware store. Look under “worm farming” in the Yellow Pages and call first to get an idea of products and prices, or call the Sustaining Hawke’s Bay Environ- ment Centre on (06) 870 4942 Make your own worm bin You can easily make a worm bin out of large buckets, polystyrene trays or an old bath. If you use a bath, remove the plug. If you want to, you could build a frame to allow the bath to sit securely at waist height. Bricks, posts or blocks may be used for elevation, and for stabil- ity, i.e., 100-150mm height (allowing room for the liquid collection container placed beneath the plug outlet). The plug outlet end must be no less than a 5 degree fall to the lowest point to The diet What worms like Moist fruit and vegetable scraps• Coffee grounds and tea bags• Aged horse manure• Dirty paper• Crushed eggshells• Vacuum cleaner dust• Hair• What worms do not like Spicy food, chilli, onion, garlic• Meat and milk products• Flour products• Large amounts of cooked food• Garden waste• Shiny paper• Citrus/very acidic fruit• achieve adequate drainage. Roofing such as ply or corrugated iron will be needed to shed water and provide protection from summer sun. Place into the base of the bath 1.5m of 65mm perforated drainage pipe with two layers of old stockings. This seals the ends and covers the perforations which stop the pipe blocking. Add pumice sand or scoria to a depth of 75mm then place shade cloth, doubled over and cut to fit, on top of filtering layer.
  • 8. Page 8 Problem: Cause Solution Rotting food Too much for population Feed less Fruit/vinegar flies around farm or small white bugs and worms Too acidic Cover food with damp paper and add Lime to increase pH Worms climbing up sides/ worms very fat and pale Too wet Add paper products and dry leaves, gently fork holes in the working layer Ants Too dry or acidic Add water/lime. If your worm farm is on legs, place each leg in a container of water to stop such pests from getting in. Food rotting and not eaten Too much food/wrong food/ pieces too big Add less food, break into small pieces No worm tea Not enough water Add water Common worm farming problems Bedding Free-draining fibrous matured compost is ide- al given that it is not going to produce heat. Dampened shredded corrugated cardboard and lunch paper give increased air availability and reduce the risk of bedding material heating up. You need to water well and leave at least two days. Then check for temperatures over 25 de- grees. If there are any unpleasant odours, apply two handfuls of garden lime and mix in. Only apply old lawns clippings, as fresh clipping heat up and cook the worms. For quick results, 500g-1kg (2,000-4,000 worms) should be enough for your worm farm to cope with 400gms to 800gms of mixed food waste each day. This volume will increase as the worms multiply. Spread worms on to bedding and spread food scraps in one area and rotate feed sites. As the bath fills use a garden fork and loosen the bedding; this increases air circulation and reduces bedding compaction. To remove the casts, once the worm farm is full (after 9 to 18 months), place a plastic sheet or large container next to the bath and using a garden fork remove the top half of the worms’ bedding. This is undigested food and is where a majority of the worms will be. Place this to one side. Remove all casts. Rinse drainage layer thor- oughly catching all liquid. Replace the contents that were put aside and commence the feeding, forking, watering process when required. Your bath worm farm will ultimately digest about 1-2 litres of mixed organic waste a day.
  • 9. Page 9 What can I do with the worm casts? Worm casts can be mixed with potting mix, seed raising mix and compost (about 20% casts to 80% mix), and is the perfect medium into which to plant seedlings, plants and trees. Casts do not have to be diluted for use in the garden, but make sure they are mixed in to the soil. For best results, add com- post and mulch as soil cover. Composting What makes my compost smell? A compost high in nitrogen with no air will become acidic. Add carbon and turn your compost. How do I keep rodents out? Add grass clippings to increase heat and turn regu- larly. What can I not put in a compost bin? Do not put in meat, bread, heavy unshredded prun- ings (see “What not to compost”). How long do I have to wait until my compost is ready? A well maintained compost bin will produce com- post in 3-4 months in summer, and up to 6 months in winter. However, times vary depending on the method, bin contents, time of year and regularity of turning. Do I need to add water? If you add a 50/50 mix of nitrogen, materials which are wet, and carbon materials that are dry, it will be of a crumbly consistency. How will compost help my garden? Compost feeds the soil, helps with water retention and encourages earthworms into your garden. Worm Farming How many worms do I need to start? 1000 is OK, but a bin takes some time to get going; 2000 worms (500gms) will get a bin working much more quickly and efficiently. What food can I use in a worm bin? Worms like a mix of fruit and vegetables (70%) and carbon material (30%). Carbon material includes scrunched up envelopes, handee towels, tissues, shredded paper - any paper that is NOT shiny and coloured or plastic coated is OK. Worms don’t like citrus, bread, meat, onions, garlic, excess kiwifruit of large amounts of grass and leaves. What if there are lots of fruit flies? Add a decent sprinkling of lime and wait a day or two. If you still have flies, add more lime and car- bon material (e.g., paper or dried leaves). Do I need to lime my worm bin? A small handful of lime or gypsum once a month helps to keep the food sweet. What do I do if I go on holiday? Add to the bin as follows: 1-2 weeks: empty out your fridge of any fruit and vegetables 2-3 weeks: dried grass or coconut fibre from a gar- den centre or worm grower 4+ weeks: coconut fibre block from garden centre or worm grower. How much do I dilute the ‘worm tea’? Worm tea is very high in nitrogen and needs to be watered down to about 1:10, or so it is the colour of weak tea. The liquid is so rich that it can be harmful if not diluted. Frequently asked questions
  • 10. Page 10 What is Bokashi? Bokashi is a generic Japanese term, meaning ‘fer- mented organic matter’. Widely used through- out New Zealand, Bokashi Compost-Zing turns household organic matter into highly productive garden compost in just four weeks. Bokashi reduces organic waste volume, enhanc- es soil condition, reduces odours and speeds up the rate of decomposition. The system is often showcased at local and na- tional Eco, Home and Garden shows. Bokashi is available through the Sustaining Hawke’s Bay Environment Centre, organic product retailers, and various gardening outlets. Not only is it easy to use, readily available, and environmentally friendly, it also gives you many advantages over regular composting: up to 50% quicker composting time• less odour as the food decays• increased growing power• healthier and more productive plants• requires no mixing• produces a natural pour-on liquid fertiliser• as well as physical compost. For more information contact the Sustaining Hawke’s Bay Environment Centre on (06) 870 4942 or visit www.bokashi.co.nz
  • 11. Page 11 NAME ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER Blackbridge Transfer Station (Saturday to Monday only) Mill Road Haumoana 06 870 0574 Henderson Road Transfer Station Henderson Road, Hastings 06 879 4623 Redcliffe Transfer Station Springfield Road, Napier 06 844 4945 Bio Rich (by Agreement) www.biorich.co.nz 0800 246 742 Clean Earth Ltd – Green Waste www.cleanearth.co.nz 06 844 1060 Bay Environmental Bins Ltd PO Box 8747 Havelock North 06 877 7297 For more information on Bokashi Compost-Zing System or worm farms contact: Sustaining Hawke’s Bay Environment Centre 220 Russell Street, Hastings 06 870 4942 Garden bag and bin collections There are green waste collection services available to Hawke’s Bay residents. Some accept invasive weeds as well as ordinary garden waste. Please refer to the table below. Garden waste disposal The Council Refuse Transfer Stations in Napier and Hastings accept garden waste at discounted rates. There are also businesses which accept or collect green waste for composting. You will need to contact them directly to check what kind of garden waste they will accept, their opening hours and their charges. Useful websites www.earthworms.co.nz www.mastercomposter.com www.wormsrus.co.nz www.kiwiearthworms.co.nz
  • 12. Brought to you by the Hastings District Council, Napier City Council and the Wipe Out Waste Education Programme Thank you and enjoy composting!