
ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION | WORKSHOP | 2.5 HOURS
In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the essentials of vermicomposting (worm composting) which is a sustainable, low-maintenance and odour-free way of quickly turning kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden. You will build a worm compost bin to take home and begin your composting journey - worms included! See Bethany's worm composting blog below for details.
Bethany Couture of GardenAlchemist.ca will cover how to set up and maintain your bin, what materials can and cannot be composted, and tips for keeping your worms healthy and productive. This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to reduce waste and create sustainable compost at home!
Location & Date
Sunday, Mar. 2, 1:00-3:30pm
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
Fee includes materials.
$70.00 HCP Members
$80.00 Non-Members Interested in Membership?
REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162
Cancelation & Refunds
This course requires a minimum enrollment to run. Fees will be refunded and notice given if the course is cancelled. Refunds can be requested up until 7 days prior to the workshop if you need to cancel, after which fees are non-refundable. Contact [email protected] or call 250-479-6162 if you cannot attend the class.
If there is one thing I have learned about sustainable gardening and living: the little things can make a big difference. That is exactly how I feel about vermicomposting. When I started my worm bin, I did not realize how much it would transform not only my garden but also how I think about my food waste. Composting with worms is not just practical because of its ease, efficiency and discreetness, but it is also very fun and rewarding.
Let me share a few reasons why vermicomposting has become one of my favourite sustainable lifestyle and gardening practices, and why I think you will love it too.
What is Vermicomposting, anyway?
Simply put, it is composting with worms. You feed them food scraps, paper, and other organic waste, and let them quickly transform it into rich, crumbly compost ready for your plants. Vermicastings also known as worm poop is often called black gold because its so packed with bio-available nutrients and beneficial microbes that plants thrive on.
Why Vermicomposting Might Work for You
1. Slashes Waste
Like most people, I used to toss kitchen scraps in the green bin to be sent away to decompose at an industrial facility. Now, instead of sending so much of my food waste away, I am giving it a second and third life as food for my worms and for my garden.
2. Plants Love It
When I started sprinkling vermicompost around my plants and watering them with worm tea, the difference was night and day. My veggies grew vigorously and healthier, my flowers looked brighter, and even my fussy indoor plants put out healthy new leaves. It is like giving them a multivitamin, all made right in my worm bin.
3. Space-Saver
Worm bins are great for apartments or small dwellings that do not have access to traditional compost piles. A worm bin fits perfectly in the corner of a garage, on a balcony or even under the kitchen sink because it is compact, clean, and does not smell.
4. So Low-Maintenance
Once you have created your worm bin and the worms have settled in, all you need to do is feed them, keep their bedding moist, and occasionally fluff things with a spoon. They demand little, and they work around the clock. You will not need to turn a compost pile or worry about rodents because when done right, vermicomposting is a set-it-and-forget-it kind of thing.
5. Fascinating
When I first started vermicomposting, I never thought I could get attached to a box of worms. Watching my food scraps turn into rich compost within a matter of weeks feels like magic, and vermicomposting has taught me so much about soil health and the incredible role microbes and worms play in our gardens.
Why You Should Try It
Vermicomposting is not just for gardeners or sustainability-passionate people, it is for anyone who wants to reduce waste, save money on fertilizers, and grow healthier plants. If you have been on the fence about trying it, I say go for it! Start small and let your worms work their magic for you.
If vermicomposting is of interest to you, you can come to learn about it and build your very own worm compost in the brand new Essentials of Worm Composting class being held at the HCP on March 2. All materials are included. Register here.