Reader Q&A: Details on Worms & Vetiver Composting

This post is answering a few questions that a reader posted in the comments section of our last post:

How often do you add pond water?

You can add the pond water as often as you like – depends on how many water changes you want to do out of your pond. At minimum, once per week.

How many worms per composting pile?

The piles we make are long “buns” (20 ft long, 3 ft wide) with 1-2 pounds of worms per pile, added at the start. Their numbers will increase exponentially as time goes by. You keep stacking vetiver on it as your vetiver grows and as your worms decompose it. We also like to throw bamboo leaves into the pile to increase IMO’s (indigenous microorganisms).

Are multiple small composting piles better than one big one?

One big/long pile is better – you want the worms to migrate through it.

Do you turn these composting piles?

No turning the pile. The worms turn it. This is not thermophilic composting. Thermophilic composting is a chemical process having to do with Nitrogen heating the pile up. Our piles are cold. Our’s are broken down more through fungus and microbial action, and the worms.

Is it better to place your composting piles in the shade or direct sun?

Shade is better for the piles, but they also work in the sun.

Is vetiver grass common to find?

Vetiver grass isn’t common, but we have tons of it. We would be happy to turn you on to some. You can buy beyond organic vetiver grass directly from our other website Vetiver Hawaii here.