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Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden : Column Index : 2004 : July04
Coming Soon...
Eat More Healthy Food With the Help of Worm Composting
A scientific study is unnecessary. We already know what our mothers preached when we were kids: eat your fruits and vegetables and you'll grow up to be big, strong, healthy, wealthy and wise! Well, I wish all of that were true, or I'd be a multimillionaire by now! Nevertheless, I am a strong advocate of a healthy diet. And one of the best, and most fun, ways of making sure that we all eat more fresh, healthful foods is to grow them ourselves. But even that's not enough: if our home-grown produce is sprayed with pesticides and the surrounding land has herbicides and chemical fertilizers applied to it, that kind of negates the purpose of trying to eat well. So, what's a wanna-be backyard farmer to do?
There are many natural techniques available to help us conquer the bugs and weeds that can make gardening a challenge. I've written about a few of them in past columns, so I'll summarize:
One type of composting I didn't cover in January is vermiculture, or composting with worms. That's what I'll talk about this month, with the help of Piper Selden, our island's worm composting expert who teaches classes through Recycle Hawai`i. Piper and I talked story recently and here's some of that conversation.
Barb: Aloha, Piper! What first got you interested in worms, of all things?
Piper: After my Master Composter/Recycler certification, I started volunteering in the community. I wanted to share the importance, benefits, and general "how to" of composting and recycling because I care about Hawai`i and its future. Also, we have a lack of topsoil on our island. Anything we can do to help create healthier soil is beneficial to the island and all life on it. Then I started working with Recycle Hawai`i, volunteering and teaching composting classes. Feedback from the public pointed me to worms: many people were looking for an easier way to compost; some wanted to help the environment, but didn't have a yard to compost in because they live in apartments, others pointed out past compost difficulties like rodents and smell. I turned to my "wormy" friends for help.
Barb: Aside from the convenience of a worm bin, what are some advantages of worm composting over the other way?
Piper: There isn't any manual labor involved, other than lifting the worm bin lid to feed them. And anyone can compost with worms--at home, business or school. Kids love it! The worms can be used for fishing bait too. Plus, it's odorless, so smell and pests aren't an issue.
Barb: What type of worms must you use and where do you get them?
Piper: All worms are not the same. "Earthworms" live in the soil, so the ones you dig up from the garden won't work. "Compost worms" (also called red wigglers) are the ones you need. Super important: it is illegal to import worms into Hawai`i because non-natives might bring pathogens or crowd out our native species, so please don't do it. There are a few reputable people who sell native compost worms, including me.
Barb: How do you build a worm bin?
Piper: I have worm workshops every month, so for details you could come to a class. You can check online, but beware of sticker shock--many bins go for upwards of $200. And some designs are not suitable to our tropical climate. You can build one for about $20, plus the worms, which cost $15 for 1/2-pound. I have a "retrokit" with parts and instructions on how to convert a plastic storage tub into a worm bin. There are lots of ways to do it and it doesn't need to cost a lot.
Barb: How long does it take before the compost is ready, and how do you use it?
Piper: It takes about 3 months after your worms populate the bin. Once you have a healthy population, you'll roll out finished compost about every other month. It might not look like a lot, but it's super concentrated. You can mix it with potting soil, mulch around existing plants, or make it into compost "tea" by mixing it with water. It's free organic fertilizer. Plants treated with worm compost are more resistant to diseases and pests than plants treated with chemical fertilizers, pesticides or regular compost.
Barb: Is there any chance of the worms escaping in your kitchen?
Piper: No. Worms are light sensitive and like a damp, dark environment. So they're not going to pack a bag and take a trip! Everything they want and need is in the bin, like a Worm Club Med. If you're worried about a possible adventurous worm, keep your bin under cover on the lanai. That's where mine live.
Barb: Any final thoughts?
Piper: We can all help the environment by recycling and supporting recycling efforts like sort stations, the bottle bill, etc. Compost is recycling too: the more we compost, the cleaner and healthier our island will become. Volunteer with environment-friendly groups like Recycle Hawai`i. Support local agriculture. Look for organic and locally grown foods. All of this helps our local economy.
Barb: Mahalo, Piper. I'm an enthusiastic worm composter now, and thanks to your example I hope lots of other people get on the worm bandwagon because it's such a cool way to help us grow our own healthy fruits and veggies.
=============================================================
Piper Selden's composting classes are listed on her website: www.HawaiiRainbowWorms.com. Some classes are also listed on Recycle Hawai`i's website under "Events": www.RecycleHawaii.org. You can reach Piper during business hours at piper@HawaiiRainbowWorms.com or 959-7257.
=============================================================
Eat More Healthy Food With the Help of Worm Composting
A scientific study is unnecessary. We already know what our mothers preached when we were kids: eat your fruits and vegetables and you'll grow up to be big, strong, healthy, wealthy and wise! Well, I wish all of that were true, or I'd be a multimillionaire by now! Nevertheless, I am a strong advocate of a healthy diet. And one of the best, and most fun, ways of making sure that we all eat more fresh, healthful foods is to grow them ourselves. But even that's not enough: if our home-grown produce is sprayed with pesticides and the surrounding land has herbicides and chemical fertilizers applied to it, that kind of negates the purpose of trying to eat well. So, what's a wanna-be backyard farmer to do?
There are many natural techniques available to help us conquer the bugs and weeds that can make gardening a challenge. I've written about a few of them in past columns, so I'll summarize:
* Cardboard is an excellent weed-killer: just lay it on top of paths and other areas
where weeds are rampant and you've got an instant solution.
* Many natural pest control methods are available: soap spray is an important
remedy for such insects as aphids, scale and whiteflies, my three worst
problem bugs. Ask the folks at your neighborhood nursery for help in selecting
the right non-poison products for the type of bugs you have.
* You can completely eliminate your use of chemical fertilizers by making and
using your own rich compost. I wrote about composting in my January, 2004
column (see my web site, www.hiiakas.com, for past Hawai`i Island Journal
columns), and there are many books on the subject.
where weeds are rampant and you've got an instant solution.
* Many natural pest control methods are available: soap spray is an important
remedy for such insects as aphids, scale and whiteflies, my three worst
problem bugs. Ask the folks at your neighborhood nursery for help in selecting
the right non-poison products for the type of bugs you have.
* You can completely eliminate your use of chemical fertilizers by making and
using your own rich compost. I wrote about composting in my January, 2004
column (see my web site, www.hiiakas.com, for past Hawai`i Island Journal
columns), and there are many books on the subject.
One type of composting I didn't cover in January is vermiculture, or composting with worms. That's what I'll talk about this month, with the help of Piper Selden, our island's worm composting expert who teaches classes through Recycle Hawai`i. Piper and I talked story recently and here's some of that conversation.
Barb: Aloha, Piper! What first got you interested in worms, of all things?
Piper: After my Master Composter/Recycler certification, I started volunteering in the community. I wanted to share the importance, benefits, and general "how to" of composting and recycling because I care about Hawai`i and its future. Also, we have a lack of topsoil on our island. Anything we can do to help create healthier soil is beneficial to the island and all life on it. Then I started working with Recycle Hawai`i, volunteering and teaching composting classes. Feedback from the public pointed me to worms: many people were looking for an easier way to compost; some wanted to help the environment, but didn't have a yard to compost in because they live in apartments, others pointed out past compost difficulties like rodents and smell. I turned to my "wormy" friends for help.
Barb: Aside from the convenience of a worm bin, what are some advantages of worm composting over the other way?
Piper: There isn't any manual labor involved, other than lifting the worm bin lid to feed them. And anyone can compost with worms--at home, business or school. Kids love it! The worms can be used for fishing bait too. Plus, it's odorless, so smell and pests aren't an issue.
Barb: What type of worms must you use and where do you get them?
Piper: All worms are not the same. "Earthworms" live in the soil, so the ones you dig up from the garden won't work. "Compost worms" (also called red wigglers) are the ones you need. Super important: it is illegal to import worms into Hawai`i because non-natives might bring pathogens or crowd out our native species, so please don't do it. There are a few reputable people who sell native compost worms, including me.
Barb: How do you build a worm bin?
Piper: I have worm workshops every month, so for details you could come to a class. You can check online, but beware of sticker shock--many bins go for upwards of $200. And some designs are not suitable to our tropical climate. You can build one for about $20, plus the worms, which cost $15 for 1/2-pound. I have a "retrokit" with parts and instructions on how to convert a plastic storage tub into a worm bin. There are lots of ways to do it and it doesn't need to cost a lot.
Barb: How long does it take before the compost is ready, and how do you use it?
Piper: It takes about 3 months after your worms populate the bin. Once you have a healthy population, you'll roll out finished compost about every other month. It might not look like a lot, but it's super concentrated. You can mix it with potting soil, mulch around existing plants, or make it into compost "tea" by mixing it with water. It's free organic fertilizer. Plants treated with worm compost are more resistant to diseases and pests than plants treated with chemical fertilizers, pesticides or regular compost.
Barb: Is there any chance of the worms escaping in your kitchen?
Piper: No. Worms are light sensitive and like a damp, dark environment. So they're not going to pack a bag and take a trip! Everything they want and need is in the bin, like a Worm Club Med. If you're worried about a possible adventurous worm, keep your bin under cover on the lanai. That's where mine live.
Barb: Any final thoughts?
Piper: We can all help the environment by recycling and supporting recycling efforts like sort stations, the bottle bill, etc. Compost is recycling too: the more we compost, the cleaner and healthier our island will become. Volunteer with environment-friendly groups like Recycle Hawai`i. Support local agriculture. Look for organic and locally grown foods. All of this helps our local economy.
Barb: Mahalo, Piper. I'm an enthusiastic worm composter now, and thanks to your example I hope lots of other people get on the worm bandwagon because it's such a cool way to help us grow our own healthy fruits and veggies.
=============================================================
Piper Selden's composting classes are listed on her website: www.HawaiiRainbowWorms.com. Some classes are also listed on Recycle Hawai`i's website under "Events": www.RecycleHawaii.org. You can reach Piper during business hours at piper@HawaiiRainbowWorms.com or 959-7257.
=============================================================
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