Worm farm workshops are being subsidised by the Selwyn District Council to reduce the organic waste component of the district's rubbish.

Selwyn District Council Solid Waste Manager Gavin Sole says the workshops will give people an excellent option for reusing organic waste.

"The products of worm farming are very beneficial for vegetables, fruit trees and gardens," he says.

The home worm composting programme is part of the Selwyn District Council's Waste Management and Minimisation Plan and is subsidised to allow households to start worm composting for a nominal fee.

The programme includes a two hour workshop session that teaches the basics of worm composting or "vermi-composting". Participants receive their own worm bin, worms, hessian mat, lime and information kit so they can go home and get started straight away, all for $25 per person.

Participants will also learn how to harvest the compost or "vermicast" to use on gardens as a beneficial plant food and soil conditioner. It takes around three months to fill the first layer in the bin and around 4 - 6 months until there is enough vermicast to use in the garden.

The workshop is run by Dougal McEachen from Earthly Delights. Dougal has many years' experience in looking after worms. Dougal is also supplying the worms and the information packs.

If you would like to register for the worm composting workshop please contact Solid Waste Manager Gavin Sole on 03 347 2841 or email gavin.sole@selwyn.govt.nz.