Product Review: Wiggly Wrigglers Wormery

Product Review: Wiggly Wrigglers Wormery

The wormery consists of a base/sump, three legs, three trays, a lid and a rain cover. It comes with a worm certificate (they are posted later), a food block, a mat, some lime to avoid a build up of acidity and some 'worm treat'. Care has been taken to use sustainable materials in construction and the consumables.

The idea is to start the worms in the bottom tray with the food block - the mat stops them dropping into the sump. As you add food waste, you can add further trays as each fills up. The worms eat their way up through the trays, leaving worm cast compost behind. Liquid waste drains into the sump and can be drawn off via a tap and used, diluted, as plant food.

Advantages of the wormery over a normal composting bin:

1. The compost is much better quality.
2. You get 'organic' liquid plant food.
3. There is better protection from rats etc, so you can put in cooked food.
4. It's a lot more fun.

Disadvantages:

1. Cost - at £90 you have to be an enthusiast (or have generous relatives).
2. Effort - there's a bit of worm husbandry involved.
3. Capacity - the wormery won't take as much waste as a compost bin. In terms of food waste this would not be a problem for a normal sized household, but if you have a garden you will need a compost facility as well.

I got my wormery as a present for Christmas last year and I thoroughly enjoy maintaining it, but you do have to be careful. For example, I found you have keep it out of the heat or the worms head for the sump and drown.