Vermicomposting By Tracy Settoon

What is vermicomposting? Vermicomposting is a process that uses worms (usually Red Wrigglers or European night-crawlers) to recycle garbage. Worms eat and metabolize organic matter. Their digested excrement (called vermicast, worm manure, humus, or castings) is full of nutrients that can be incorporated into soil to help with plant fertilization, soil enhancement, and soil stability. Vermicomposting recycles trash in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

Why worms?

Why worms? Worms are natural soil workers. Their movement helps loosen compacted soil, increasing air porosity, and water holding capacity. Their vermicast is a high quality soil amendment, which allows plants to flourish. Worm composting is compact and does not require outdoor space. Worms enable recycling on an individual level. Worms require little time expenditure.

What are the soil benefits? Compared to worm castings, synthetic fertilizers are expensive, dissolve relatively quickly, leach into the environment, and contribute to run-off pollution. Worm castings increase the tilth of the soil. Worm excrement increases a plants resistance to disease and pests because it does not cause a sudden, unnatural growth. It’s nutrients are bound to carbon containing molecules and are gradually released as needed.

What is the process? Worms are given a home, bedding, and a controlled climate in which to live. They are fed common household refuse, such as egg shells, hair, coffee grinds, and table scraps. They break down the scraps into their original components and produce nutrient-rich humus. The composted material can be used to improve and enrich soil.

Components

Who does it? Individuals Schools Businesses Educational groups from around the world

Worldwide interest United States Philippines India Canada

Small or large scale Vermicomposting is ideal for a small scale operation. Personal recycling and composting can be managed by individuals with limited space, time, and resources. Vermicomposting is commercially operated outdoors with windrows, where large volumes of waste are handled, usually from a city or recycling participant such as Walmart®. Controls must be in place for odor, temperature, pest, run-off, and moisture levels. Harvesting methods include beds upon screens where food is only put toward the top and the screens filter from the bottom. _

Can I manage it? Worms require only a few things to live: food, bedding, water, air, and a mild temperature. Since vermicomposting uses very little space, even apartment dwellers can manage it. Worm composting can be very simple by using an inexpensive bin or more complex by using a multi-level housing unit. Worms can easily be purchased online. After the initial set up, the operation is relatively cost free and takes just a few minutes a week. There is very little odor from an indoor worm bin.

Manufactured bins

Homemade bins

Build it Begin with a container that has good surface area; width is more important than depth. Puncture many small holes in the bottom, sides, and top for proper air flow in the bin. Place damp, but not wet, newspaper strips or cardboard pieces in the bottom for bedding. Place fluffy or layered material over bedding to ensure a moist, dark, and covered environment. Ensure good drainage on the bottom of the container to collect the worm tea (compost tea).

Worm tea Compost tea is made from compost Tea brewer Compost tea is made from compost that has been seeped in water for several days, but worm tea (also a compost tea) requires no seeping. Worm tea is the drainage liquid from the bottom of the vermicomposting bin and is an outstanding fertilizer which is applied at a rate of half a cup to one gallon of water. Worm tea (compost tea) Without tea With worm tea

Worm care Worms may need day or two to acclimate to new surroundings. Tear bedding in 1/2" to 1" strips and do not compress. The bedding should be just damp. Soil is not suitable as bedding. For good worm movement, keep bedding and food separate. Worms can survive without food, but will not grow or multiply. Worms are generally top feeders. Begin with a small amount of food; when that is gone, add more. Worms eat half their weight per day. One pound of food is needed for two pounds of worms. For faster composting, cut or tear large scraps into small pieces. If worms try to crawl out, the conditions need to be adjusted (too acidic or wet). If conditions are good, they do not want to leave.

Worm food Citrus in moderation, but no meat, bone, or dairy in the bin.

Worm care There be must ventilation holes and proper drainage in the composting container. Worms can drown in standing water. Worms thrive at 60◦ - 77◦ F, but can survive at 40◦ – 86◦ F. They will not reproduce in high or low temperatures. Worms never sleep; they simply eat, defecate, and reproduce. Worms lay eggs in a cocoon, where they are fertilized and produce an average of three baby worms each. With favorable conditions, their population can double in 90 days. Do not use fresh manure or too much soil in the worm bin. Do not tumble or turn entire pile like traditional composting. Use wet hands to handle the worms.

Avoid Extreme temperatures Direct Sunlight Opportunists Turning like standard compost

Harvesting Compost cycle completed in 14 to 90 days. There are several ways to harvest, including the labor intensive hand-sorting method. The food-driven method requires little labor. Food is placed along one border or corner of the bin and the worms gather there, leaving the rest of the bin available for removable of compost.

Vermicomposting products Worm casting Fishing bait Compost tea Worms for composting Vermicompost

Earning a living from worms " I never imagined that I would be able to sell enough worms to make a living and started the worm farm thinking that composting would be my number one profit maker. However because of increased environmental awareness, composting worm sales are really strong.“ Site administrator Matthew, from wormsetc.com, earns more money from selling worms than from selling the compost material.

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Added encouragement A worm bin is a good conversation starter. It’s something different; hopefully soon to be the norm. An ant farm was never this productive and handlers will not be bitten (nor scratched for that matter). It can offer a sense of pride, satisfaction, and accomplishment. With vermicomposting, people can reduce their environmental footprint in an easy and productive way.

Special thanks www.compostbins.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermicompost www.vermiculture.com matthew@wormetc.com www.wormetc.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFwqhMW6rR0