1. Vermiculture: Promote Global Worming! Julie Weisenhorn, Extension Educator Director, Master Gardener Program Department of Horticultural Science University of Minnesota

2. Darwin  Earthworms “The plow is one of the most ancient and most valuable of Man’s inventions; but long before he existed, the land … was regularly ploughed, and still continues to be ploughed, by earthworms. It may be (doubtful) whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly, organized creatures. - Charles Darwin, 1881

3. Presentation Goals To understand the importance of the earthworm; To understand the basic biology of the earthworm; To become enthused about the prospects of home vermicomposting.

4. Think about this: How can I change from “waste-ful” to being “waste-free”?

5. Earthworm Taxonomic Details Phylum Annelida (Latin for “rings”) Class Chaetopoda Order Oligochaeta Five families Most common to N. America = Lumbricidae 3000 species worldwide

6. Common Species Lumbricus terrestis – Night crawler Allolobophora caliginosa – Grey worm Allolobophora chlorotica – Green worm Lumbricus rubellus – Red worm Eisenia fetida – Red Wiggler

7. The Earthworm & History Casts found in Nile River basin = FERTILITY No earthworms native to Minnesota –Exotics destroying understory vegetation –Dr. Lee Gerlich, Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife

8. Lifespan of the Earthworm Lifespan –Conservative estimate: 4-8 years –Barrett estimates 15+ –Mortality by accident Primitive physiology is unchanged Body composition: –70-95% water –Balance = protein, fat, minerals absorbed from soil

9. Earthworm Biology 1001 Segmented body “somites” –Somites equipped with setae Five “hearts” Cold-blooded Peristonium = mouth –Prostonium for prying

10. Earthworm Biology 1001 Mucus is critical: –Holds in moisture –Aids in respiration –Protects body while burrowing –Sperm carrier during reproduction

11. Reproductive System Hermaphrodites, but not self-fertilizing Mutual exchange of sperm Ova are fertilized in cocoons –Clitellum: light-colored band - produces cocoons –Cocoons contain ~ 4 eggs –Eggs incubate 3 weeks

12. Regeneration Myth: Cut a worm in half and you’ll have two worms Worm needs at least 13 segments Will re-grow body segments (equal number)

13. Nervous System Brain = a knot of nerves Ganglion serve as impulse centers Super sensitive to touch –Allows worm to select food, avoid predators and objects, and reproduce; –Can feel bird’s footsteps Eyes are sensitive to blue light and skin to ultravoilet rays = burrowing action

14. Digestive System Eats weight in soil & organic matter daily Processed in alimentary canal –Muscular mixing with enzymes releasing amino acids, sugars, organic molecules; –Includes microorganisms –Molecules absorbed through intestinal membranes Result: CASTINGS

15. The Internal Earthworm

16. Vermiculture & Vermicomposting Vermiculture is … “the culture of earthworms” Vermicomposting is … “using earthworms and microorganisms to convert organic waste into black, earthy-smelling, nutrient- rich humus.” - Mary Appelhof

17. Why? Year-round compost & organic plant fertilizer Reduce, reuse, recycle Non-polluting Profitable commercial business Interesting for all ages

18. Comparison of Composting Organic Matter Temperature –Compost bin = 130-160° F; 6-8 months –Worm bin = 59-70° F; year-round Air circulation –Compost bin = vents + turning –Worm bin = vents + worm churn

19. Comparison of Composting Moisture –Compost bin = rain, hose, organic matter –Worm bin = foodstock Microorganisms –Compost bin = bacteria + fungi + some worms –Worm bin = worm mass + bacteria + fungi, etc.

20. Comparison of Composting Time –Compost bin = few months; depends on weather –Worm bin = few months

21. How can I vermicompost? Three E ’s: E ducation E quipment E nvironment

22. 1 st E : E ducation Books – Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof – The Earthworm Book: How to Raise and Use Earthworms for Your Farm and Garden, by Jerry Minnich Extension office bulletins –“Earthworm Biology and Production” by the University of California Cooperative Extension, leaflet #2828

23. 1 st E : E ducation Resources on the Internet: –The Compost Resource Page http://www.oldgrowth.org/compost –Worm Digest http://www.wormdigest.org –Cityfarmer http://www.cityfarmer.org –Worm Woman (Mary Appelhof’s site) http://www.wormwoman.com

24. 2 nd E : E quipment Suppliers: –The Happy D Worm Ranch http://www.happydranch.com –Biological Home Grown Farm http://www.worm-publications.com/biologicalhome.htm –The Worm Farm http://www.empnet.com/worms/welcome.htm

25. Worm Bins Size Construction –Plastic vs. Wood construction –Commercial Can-O-Worms™ Worm-A-Way® Worm-A-Roo™

26. Worm Bins Size –Track food waste for a week –Allow one square foot of surface per pound of waste –Example problem: Five pounds of food waste per week will require 5 ft² of surface. Bin should measure 1’ x 2’ x 3’ (6 ft²)

27. Bin Construction Wooden Bin –Organic –Breathes –Heavy –Deteriorates faster –Can be built as furniture –No treated lumber or fragrant woods (ie: cedar) Plastic Bin –Lightweight –Holds moisture –Will not rot –Requires more holes for aeration –Inexpensive –Many bins available

28. Commercial Bins Can-O-Worms™ –Most popular –Enclosed tier system –Bottom catch tray & spigot –Stackable mesh trays –Worms migrate vertically –Easy to harvest castings –$130.00 incl. shipping

29. Commercial Bins Worm-A-Way® –Plastic –Ventilated –Several sizes –Lightweight –$90-$100 incl. Worms & shipping

30. Commercial Bins Worm-A-Roo™ –Double bin system –Plastic –“Migration device” –Lightweight –$140-$170 incl. Supplies, worms, and shipping

31. 3 rd E : E nvironment A worm bin must be: –Convenient –Easily accessible –In a well-ventilated location –Covered and protected from wind, sun, and animals

32. Bedding Various materials: –Shredded newspaper –Sphagnum Peat Moss –Manure –Leaf litter –Coir (Coconut fiber) –Wood chips Dampen bedding with tap water Mix well

33. Bedding Possible additions to bedding –Calcium carbonate to control pH Do NOT use slaked or hydrated lime –Rock dust for grit –Zeolite – for grit; also balances pH, controls odors, absorbs ammonia

34. Bin Temperature Recommended: 59-77° F A cooler bin … –Stays moist –Worms appear more active –Bedding is thicker –May have more mites –Easier to maintain consistent conditions A warmer bin –Dries out quickly –Worms appear more lethargic –Bedding appears to be settled –Harder to maintain non- ambient temperature –Additional moisture required

35. Bin Care & Maintenance Provide adequate bin and bedding mixture Maintain moisture level Maintain temperature 60-65° F Provide air circulation in bin via adequate holes –Provides aeration –Controls odors by eliminating anaerobic conditions

36. Foodstock Variety Bury foodstock under bedding Don’t overload system Maintain aerobic conditions C/N ratio

37. Foodstock DO’s –Fruit & vegetable scraps –Banana peels –Grains & cereals, pasta –Tea bags & leaves –Cooked eggs & shells –Coffee grounds & filters –Onions & potatoes –Pancakes –Banana bread, cake –Leaves –Plant cuttings DON’Ts –Non-Biodegradables Plastic Glass Rubber –Pet feces (cats) –Toxic materials Ex: orange peels Plant cuttings treated with herbicides or insecticides

38. Foodstock Meat & Dairy products –Worms will consume –Not a good idea for indoor system (odiferous) –May attract undesirables –Can grind up bones (high nitrogen) High N !

39. Other Organisms Mites & flies Predatory planarians Centipedes & millipedes Enchytraeids (white worms) Springtails Isopods (ie: sowbugs) Bacteria, mold, fungi, etc.

40. Harvesting Vermicompost Worm castings vs. Vermicompost –Worm castings are deposits that have moved through the worm’s digestive system; –Vermicompost is a combination of : Worm castings OM and bedding at various stages of decomposition Organisms such as worms and cocoons Microorganisms

41. Harvesting Vermicompost Vermicompost supplies: –Nutrient-rich organic fertilizer –Humus is beneficial to plant growth Humic acid Binding site for plant nutrients Increases soil texture and aggregation Improves permeability

42. Harvest Methods Dump & Hand Sort Method Lateral Method Vertical Method

43. There is no such thing as waste, for one organism’s waste is another’s resource. How can YOU be more waste-free?