Library Elemental Living Lab

The Elemental Garden Wormery Experiment

Worms are one of the most amazing creatures on the planet, expert recyclers they will consume a wide range of organic waste returning nutrients to the soil. They are also responsible form moving nutrients through soil levels and aerating the ground with their tunnels.

The aim of this experiment is to evaluate the effect of worm by-products from the wormery, including the worm casts and organic liquid fertiliser, on the health of the soil in the elemental garden. This will be evaluated in a number of ways including images of the colour and structure of the soil through the spring and summer seasons and by recording sound within the wormery and the soil to evaluate the changes that occur.

The wormeries were delivered during winter and we have been waiting for the temperatures to rise before we start. The past week has been the warmest of the spring so far and so it is the perfect time to start our colony of organic recyclers.

Feeding the wormery

Looking after the wormery is simple as long as a number of simple rules are followed:

1. Keep everything moist, worms need soft soil, and water to work.

2. Add organic waste gradually (especially at the start of the process).

3. Add more organic material from the goodies list below.

Other guidelines

• Pre-chop up the veg material before you add, mix with a small amount of shredded newspaper and greens.
• Lay material is a sequence of strips until coir completely covered, then start again from the first edge until bin full.
• Cover the veg layer with either wet newspaper or wet cardboard to keep moisture in.
• Check regularly.
• When tray is full, add a new tray on top and repeat.

Some information to guide your own experiments

https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-set-up-a-wormery/

https://www.proquest.com/docview/2766668111/fulltextPDF/F74230C83310441APQ/1?accountid=10594&sourcetype=Trade%20Journals

https://read.dukeupress.edu/environmental-humanities/article/4/1/125/26179

https://www.academia.edu/download/36905828/642.pdf

https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/worm-composting

https://www.ipcc.ie/advice/composting-diy/composting-using-a-wormery/

Water Quality

In the Living Lab, there is a fountain and home to three Koi carp. Although the fish are healthy and have grown at a steady rate, the waste that they produce has lowered the water quality in the fountain and led to the overgrowth of algae. First year students on the BEng Sustainable Energy programme in 2023 suggested pond plants to help clean up the water by controlling nitrate levels. They added a pipe to the fountain, fitted with porous clay media embedded with Water Mint (Mentha Aquatica) and Bog Bean (Menyanthes Trifolata), through which the fountains water would flow. This pipe, combined with the clay and plants, creates a living filter or Living Machine. As the plants continue to grow and their roots spread, this Living Machine will improve the water quality in the fountain, creating a happy home for our fish.