Increasingly, we want to know where our food comes from, who grows it and how it is grown, and interest in permaculture, backyard composting, and gardening in general, is growing. So how does the budding gardener ensure that the soil is healthy and nutrient-rich enough to support growing some great food? One answer — worms! Vermiculture is the healthiest and most cost-effective way to ensure that your soil receives the nourishment that it needs. A simple vermicompost bin can produce completely natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be used to boost soil health and, in turn, increase crop yield.
Crystal Stevens’ new book, Worms at Work: Harnessing the Awesome Power of Worms with Vermiculture and Vermicomposting is a practical, easy-to-implement guide to fertilizing and enriching your garden naturally. It discusses the vital role worms play in boosting soil health, and the reasons why every gardener should use vermicompost in order to decrease reliance on toxic synthetic fertilizers. Covering simple designs for building your own vermicompost bin, whether for a small backyard garden or for a larger farm or homestead, to the care and feeding of worms and how to use worm castings in the garden, Worms at Work will help you put your worms to work to grow happy, healthy plants in happy, healthy soil.
Matt Powers, permaculture educator says, “Worms at Work is a detailed, beautifully thorough treatise on worms. It delves into the details of vermicomposting, how to skillfully utilize vermicompost, the soil science behind it all, worm anatomy, and much more. It is well organized and easy to reference – perfect for anyone wanting to start or refine the usage of worms in a home or garden situation. Following in the footsteps of Darwin with her praise of the mighty earthworm, Crystal Stevens has done a superb job with this book”
Worms play a vital role in soil health, soil fertility and ultimately, the yield of a garden.
Designed as a straightforward, easy-to-use handbook, Worms at Work is a no-fuss guide to creating and harnessing the power of vermicompost. Intended for the beginning gardener and experienced farmer alike, all that is required is a healthy appreciation for healthy, happy soil!
“Crystal Stevens combines years of experience with her love of teaching to present a straightforward and gentle introduction to raising beneficial worms. Her passion for sustainable living and organic gardening rings true with her ideas for how homesteaders and worms can team up to create a better world – both above and below-ground.”
— Hannah Kincaid, Mother Earth News
Worms at Work is part of the Urban Homestead Hacks series from New Society Publishers. Easy to use, accessible, personable, the aim of this book series is to encourage readers to take small steps in increasing their self-reliance and to take back DIY skills – even if they’re working with an apartment balcony or a suburban backyard.
For more information or to purchase the book go to growcreateinspire.com or newsociety.com.