Cornmeal contains numerous essential
nutrients and carbs that are a beneficial dietary addition for composting red
wiggler worms and promote their health and activity. Including cornmeal in
their diet can improve the worms’ composting prowess, helping them to more
efficiently break down organic matter.
Cornmeal also has the advantage of having
a long shelf life, or the period it can be stored without spoilage, making it a
convenient option for worm keepers regardless of their climate. Its fine
texture and fast decomposition rate make it easy to apply periodically,
particularly in indoor worm bins where odor and pests must be minimized. All of
that said, there are some specific guidelines for feeding cornmeal to the
composting worms to make sure it is safe and effective.
Choosing The Right Type Of Cornmeal To Use
The benefits of cornmeal use for red
wigglers notwithstanding; it is important to carefully use plain cornmeal for
your compost bin’s red wigglers. Self-rising cornmeal and cornbread mixes
contain leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda. These should be
avoided because the additives produce gases within the worms' digestive systems
that can cause potentially fatal internal ruptures. Only plain cornmeal will
help maintain the health and effectiveness of your bin’s worm population.
If possible, organic or non-GMO cornmeal
is preferred by many worm keepers, especially if the aim is for an all-natural
composting system. Some store-bought cornmeals may contain preservatives or
additives that are not immediately obvious, so always read the ingredients
before purchasing.
Correct Feeding Practices
When feeding cornmeal to red wigglers,
moderation is key. If you overfeed, the worms will not consume all of the
cornmeal. But leftovers aren’t as much of a concern as what will be attracted
to them. Uneaten cornmeal ferments, which may attract pests, create poor
conditions within the worm bin and lead to worm illness or death.
If you notice a sour smell or signs of
mold, it’s best to remove the unconsumed cornmeal quickly and allow the bin to
stabilize before adding any more. Monitoring moisture and aeration in the
bedding during feedings is also important since clumped, wet cornmeal can
reduce airflow and create anaerobic pockets that are harmful to the red
wigglers.
The way to approach this is to feed your
worms an amount they can consume within a week. Before adding cornmeal, lightly
mist it with water, which will help to soften the particles, making it easier
for the worms to ingest, as well as with a small sprinkling of garden lime
powder with each feeding to help maintain a neutral pH level in the bedding.
Supplement The Cornmeal
While cornmeal provides valuable
nutrients, it should be part of a diverse diet that also includes fruit and
vegetable scraps, as they provide other types of nutrients that benefit a
healthy diet for composting worms. The variety provides the red wigglers with a
wide range of nutrients necessary for their overall health.
Cornmeal on its own will not provide
adequate protein levels either, especially when raising larger worms, such as
those used for fishing. In those cases, you would want to incorporate a
specially formulated worm chow that is more effective in promoting their
growth.
Purchasing Cornmeal
If you are managing just one
vermicomposting bin, purchasing cornmeal from grocery stores is convenient and
economically sustainable. However, if you are raising several bins, such
purchases might get expensive. While you can buy them in bulk, there is a more
financially savvy method to approach acquiring cornmeal in this case.
The alternative is to buy whole grains,
such as deer corn, in bulk, then grind them into cornmeal using an electric
grain mill. A 50-pound bag of deer corn will cost only $7 to $10, and will
yield many portions of cornmeal once prepared for the bin, lasting many weeks
with moderate additions to the bin. This method affords you a steady supply of
plain cornmeal while significantly reducing the cost of buying it at stores to
support your red wiggler composting environment.
Farm supply stores, feed mills, and even
some co-ops may carry deer corn year-round, and grain mills are available in
electric and manual options.
Understanding Cornmeal In A Compost Diet
Plain cornmeal incorporated into the diet of
red wiggler worms can improve their health and efficiency in composting organic
waste by supplying vital nutrients. By selecting plain cornmeal, sticking to
propositions that have the worms consume fully over a week, and balancing their
diet with various nutritional food sources, you can successfully keep a
thriving worm population.