How to make worm humus at home (step by step)

Earthworm humus is one of the most widely used biofertilizers in plant crops, to germinate them from scratch and make them grow as healthy and strong as possible. It is considered one of the best fertilizers that exist, it keeps crops free of pests for the simple reason that it provides them with the necessary nutrients to stay strong. If you want to enjoy its great properties for your home garden, fortunately you can make worm humus at home and here are the details on how to make this fertilizer.

What is worm humus?

The processes of nature work perfectly, by itself the earth contains the necessary organisms to transform waste into nutrients to reborn life from the ashes. Man has learned to use these natural processes in favor of agriculture, to grow and harvest nutrient-rich foods.

Worm humus is a high-quality organic fertilizer, it is obtained through this process naturally present in the earth. It is generated from the droppings of the worms, which in turn fed on organic waste such as food waste and crop residues. That is to say, it is the organic matter that the worms have already digested and return it decomposed for the benefit of the plants.

This organic fertilizer is extremely rich in minerals that plants require for their healthy development, such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. But not only that, it also contains a large load of beneficial microorganisms that prevent the appearance of pests, fungi and harmful bacteria.

How to make worm castings

All those who love gardening and botany need to know the art of natural processes for the benefit of their plants. For this reason, it is common to seek to produce worm humus at home and although in the long term it is very cheap, in the first instance you have to invest a little.

It will be necessary to prepare the habitat of the worms, known as vermicomposter or worm composter. This is a kind of container with the necessary conditions to produce liquid and solid earthworm humus. There are different ways to prepare the vermicomposter, one of the simplest is simply to look for an already structured container in specialized stores.

Although you can also create your own composter with boxes of expanded polystyrene better known as Styrofoam. If you opt for this last option, you will need two boxes of similar size, with their respective lids.

The protagonists of the habitat are missing, you must also buy at least one hundred Californian red worms, which are preferable for their great ability to devour organic remains and produce humus. And here begins the adventure to make humus at home to have a healthy garden in a natural and ecological way, without harmful chemicals.

How to prepare the vermicomposter

  • Styrofoam boxes will be stacked one on top of the other. In the top box, drill holes in both the lid and the bottom of the box to provide aeration and ventilation for the worms. It is enough with a diameter of a common awl, something thicker than a worm.
  • In the bottom box, prepare a drain where the liquid worm humus will come out. In one of the lower ends make a hole the size of the neck of a plastic bottle, insert the previously cut neck so that it looks like a drain. Seal the edges very well to prevent any leakage.
  • You already have your worm composter ready, the next step will be to prepare the necessary habitat for the worms to do their job. In the upper tray you have to prepare a kind of bed with peat and then a layer of coconut fiber, you can find these items in garden stores.
  • It is time to empty the worms very well spread over the coconut fiber. Remember that the boxes are stacked. In the upper one the worms will go and in the lower one the one that we have prepared for the drain.
  • It only remains to start feeding the worms with organic waste. Only do it with natural vegetable residues, such as fruit remains, eggs, vegetables and food remains that do not contain sauces, preservatives or other types of chemicals. Avoid animal remains in order not to generate bad odors.
  • Wait for nature to do its work and in the lower box you will gradually obtain liquid and solid humus that you can use as natural fertilizer for your crops.
  • It might interest you