Why worms, and why ours.

Why Worms?

During the pandemic I started to become interested in growing my own food. I saw how fragile our entire system is. I wanted to start growing my own food for sustainability and security for my family. Any chef will tell you that the best produce is the stuff that is in season and comes from the closest sources. All the rage on the food scene these days are foraged plants and "weeds." I think partly because chefs want new ingredients to challenge themselves and their diners, but I also think they know that finding those wild ramps, mushrooms, or berries means they haven't been treated with any chemicals. It is food that is grown how mother nature intended without any extra fertilizers, and as fresh as it can be.

As I started to learn more about gardening I learned more about how important it was to "close the loop." As we harvest food from the garden we are also taking the nutrients that the plant used to make those vegetables and fruit. Any scraps from the kitchen should be sent back to the garden via compost. Worms allow me to compost my food scraps even through winter.

When I became a Father, I realized that I wanted my daughter to grow up learning about how important the growth of food is. How much work goes into that plate of spaghetti and meatballs, or even that small salad one eats for lunch. Knowing the importance of growing food, and how it grows, is part of what a parent's job is all about. Also, I get to give my child one of the weirdest pets on the block. We can also increase the sense of community with our child, counting on neighbors to bring food scraps, or picking up neighbors' old pumpkins to feed to the worms — one of their favorite treats in the fall.

Growing worms is easy enough when you have 1 bin. When you start to juggle several thousand worms at once it can be a real struggle. I like to look at growing worms as a hobby: a challenge. Learning new things is also why I like doing it. Growing the size of the worm operation is not something that I think is easy or comfortable, but getting myself out there and starting something new can be exciting and educational.

Why my worm castings?

• Local — grown right here in Beaver Dam.
• Freshness — small batches, never sitting on a shelf.
• A varied diet fed to the worms — in turn providing the best nutrients for plants.
• I treat them like a member of the family.

Why do castings show as only a 1-0-0?

The numbers you're referring to, such as 1-0-0, are typically seen in fertilizer labels and represent the N-P-K ratio, which stands for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). These numbers indicate the percentage by weight of each nutrient present in the fertilizer.

Worm castings, being a natural soil amendment, generally have a lower N-P-K ratio compared to synthetic fertilizers because their primary value lies in their organic matter content, beneficial microorganisms, and trace minerals rather than their raw nutrient content.

The N-P-K ratio of worm castings may vary depending on factors such as the type of organic matter fed to the worms and the duration of the vermicomposting process. While worm castings do contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, they are typically present in relatively low concentrations compared to synthetic fertilizers. As a result, the N-P-K ratio of worm castings is often very low, such as 1-0-0 or even lower.

However, despite their low N-P-K ratio, worm castings offer numerous benefits for soil health and plant growth, including improved soil structure, increased water retention, enhanced microbial activity, and slow-release nutrients. While they may not provide high concentrations of specific nutrients like synthetic fertilizers, castings contribute to overall soil fertility and plant vigor in a more holistic and sustainable manner.

Compost vs. worm castings