Recyclers worm their way into the future
Hennie van der Merwe explains the benefits of worm farms.
How do you feel about worms?
Well, if they are red wriggler earthworms you should respond favourably to these squirmy friends of the earth.
Why? Because they can help you reduce your household waste.
The GCN caught up with Primrose resident Hennie van der Merwe who explained the value of worm farms. They help to recycle stuff and are beneficial to your plants.
Hennie and his wife Terry have lived in their Iris Road home for 36 years. The couple has two sons, Piere (35) and Dale (32).
Apart from being involved in recycling and the worm farms, Hennie said they are both members of the Mamba Red Bin Brigade who are involved in charity projects in the Primrose Community.
“I raise funds and secure donations for Elandsvallei Home for the Aged and Remme Los while Terry does the same for Prim Villa,” Hennie said.
“Other members look after other charity organisations.”
Hennie said they secure a wish list from the organisations and then work towards making these wishes come true.
“When we raise money, we’ll ask them what they want from their wish list and organise that,” he said.
Every year the Red Bin Brigade holds a Christmas Drive where they work with schools in the area, collecting donations for the various charities.
The retired warehouse manager also makes cutting boards and Lazy Susans to help make extra money, but his big project is the worm farms and recycling.
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He said the main reason for the worm farms is to eliminate waste in the household.
“The red wriggler earthworms can eat anything apart from citrus, paw paw, onions, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes, meat and dairy products.
“So these products go into Bokasi powder (a food waste recycling bran) which is then broken down. It can be used as fertiliser when added to the middle of your compost heap.
“The rest of the waste products go into the worm farm,” said Hennie.
Hennie added that the “worm tea” from your farm can be diluted with water (unchlorinated) and used on your plants.
“You will not believe the phenomenal results you will see in the growth and health of your plants and vegetables,” he said.
The worm farms are made up of a collection of tiered buckets: a tier for the “worm tea”, one for the worms and bedding, and one for the food waste.
The worms will then do their magic and eat the waste, creating the “tea” which you will tap off for use in the garden.
Hennie, who has also been a beekeeper for 32 years, said he decided to start recycling after he learned about landfills and the damage which can be caused to the environment.
“We try and recycle everything we use in the home, including plastic, glass and tins and all our food waste,” he said.
Hennie has started making farms for other people and has made some for the members of the Gardens of Primrose group and is keen to make more for other avid gardeners.
If you would like to find out more about the worm farms, email Hennie at hsbees@absamail.co.za
Hennie’s top reasons for having a worm farm:
- They are eco-friendly.
- They reduce carbon.
- They reduce waste in landfills.
- They help your plants thrive.
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