VERMICOMPOSTING:

MASTER TRAINING FOR CITY VOLUNTEERS

by Sally L. BenjaminVolunteer Master ComposterTumbleweed Books, LLC

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Vermicomposting: Master Training What are Vermiculture &

Vermicomposting? These terms are often used

interchangeably Vermiculture literally means “worm

growing” Vermicomposting means “composting with

worms”

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Vermicomposting: Master Training How does Vermicomposting Work?

By giving worms what they need: Space = a worm bin Moist bedding = dampened paper strips or dead

leaves Food = food scraps, paper and other organic wastes

Worms make nutrient-rich, natural fertilizer and soil conditioner, called vermicompost Also called Worm Compost, Vermicast, Worm

Castings, Worm Humus or Worm Manure (Really, vermicompost is mostly worm poop!)

Worms also make … more worms!

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Why does the City of Columbia Promote

Vermicomposting?  The City promotes all composting because it

reduces the waste in landfills Food wastes, paper and other organic wastes go

into compost, rather than the City landfill This reduces for handling and transporting costs It saves landfill space, preserving valuable land for

other uses It also helps protect the environment

Vermicomposting is a great compost method that anyone can do

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Why does the City of Columbia Promote

Vermicomposting?

SOURCE: Turning food waste into energy: University of Missouri research furthers effort to get more from leftovers, University of Missouri Extension, May 10, 2012. Photo Credit: Roger Meissen/MU Cooperative Media Group http://extension.missouri.edu/NewsAdmin/Photos/2012/Food%20waster%20digester%203%20crop.jpg

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Why Vermicompost?

To turn wastes into useful fertilizer for feeding indoor plants, gardens, etc.

It is easy & efficient: It takes far less space to compost It can happen in apartments, school rooms or homes

It is a year round option for organic waste recycling Other composting methods need warm weather and

space Vermicomposting can happen all year round indoors

Vermicomposting is educational (and FUN!)

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Vermicomposting systems have 3 Basic

Parts: #1 The Worms #2 The Organic Matter

Bedding Food

#3 The Storage Area Location Bin

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Part #1 – The Worms

Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida) Feed in the upper organic and litter layers of soil

(termed epigeic by scientists) They are the most common type of composting

worm Night crawlers (Lumbricus rubellus)

Feed by pulling organic material and litter from upper layers into their burrows deep in the soil (termed anecic)

Both worm types are important for enriching soil

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Part #1 – The Worms

Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida) Best worms for composting Happy in high population densities in worm bins Eat up to half of their weight in organic matter per

day Adapted to survive temperature fluctuations

Invasive in forested areas Native to North America, but not to all regions Don’t release them in the forested Northeast Share extra worms rather than free or kill them

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Part #1 – The Worms: Where to get Red

Wigglers? Buy online

Prices should be around $20 per pound Shipments may be delayed due to temperature

Buy at bait shops Easily available More expensive (they sell by the worm not the pound)

From other composters or at worm exchanges Red wigglers numbers double in 90 days once

established So, vermicomposters will have excess worms to share

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Part #2 – The Bedding

Bedding must hold moisture, but retain air spaces that worms need

Bedding materials can include: Newspaper strips Paper strips (not glossy) Dead leaves from deciduous trees (not pine

needles or fresh leaves)

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Part #2 – The Food Food to Use:

Cloth and paper A variety of raw vegetables, plant trimmings

and fruit scraps Egg shells, tea bags, coffee grounds, etc.

Vermicomposting: Master Training

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Part #2 – The Food Avoid:

Meat, dairy, and oily foods that may go rancid Too much citrus (orange, lemon and lime peels)

that can make the environment acidic Smelly veggies like onions and broccoli Cooked foods are usually too oily Too much salt is bad for worms

Vermicomposting: Master Training

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Part #2 – The Food

Vermicomposting: Master Training

NO

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Part #3 – The Storage Area (Location)

Must be secure – safe from toddlers, pets and pests

Must be worm friendly - Worms need moisture, air, food, darkness, and warm (not hot) temperatures Good air circulation (but not cold or drafty) Dark Fairly stable temperatures from 55 to 77 degrees F.

Should be convenient – a place where the bin is easy to use (near the kitchen sink or in the laundry room)

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Part #3 – The Worm Bin

Should be shallow rather than deep A good size is a 5- to 10- gallon bin Approximately 24"X18"X8" Compost worms like to live in the top 6" of soil. Rinse out the container before using Make holes in the lid, sides and bottom for air

circulation Cover the bin with a loose fitting lid that

provides darkness but also allows air into the bin

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Part #3 – The Worm Bin: Buy or Build?

Buying a Commercial Worm Bin Sold online and at garden stores Use sets of trays or cans (next slide) Easy to use and work well Can be expensive (more than $100)

Worms are established in one bin and, when this bin is full, an empty bin is stacked on it

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Vermicomposting: Master Training

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Part #3 – The Worm Bin: Buy or

Build? Save money & make a worm bin A plastic worm bin is easy to

make Nest two tubs:

Drill holes in the lid, sides and bottom of one tub

Place it inside a second tub This allows drainage and air

circulation

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Setting up the Worm Bin

Bedding It should be non toxic, fluffy material It should hold moisture and allow air to circulate

Use shredded paper (not glossy or magazines), composted animal manure (not dog or cat), shredded decaying leaves, burlap, or peat moss in any combination

Crushed eggshells provide both roughage and calcium for the worms, and reduce acidity in the bin

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Setting up the Worm Bin

The amount of bedding depends on the size of box The bedding should fill 2/3 of the bin

A 2’X2’ box needs between 4 to 6 lbs of dry bedding A 2’X3’ bin needs 9 to 14 lbs of dry bedding

Wet the bedding Put it in a bucket of water Squeeze handfuls of bedding until no more water

tickles out Add two handfuls of soil to supply roughage for

the worms

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Vermicomposting: Master Training

Setting up the Worm Bin Bedding layers in a worm bin

From top to bottom burlap/feed bag, dry straw, cornmeal, compost, dry grass and shredded newspaper

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Vermicomposting: Master Training

Setting up the Worm Bin Cover bedding with moistened cardboard

Provides darkness Holds moisture Prevents fruit flies

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Adding the Worms

Weigh the worms! The number of worms in a worm bin

determines the proper rate and amount food Worms eat up to half their weight daily

1 pound (lb.) (or 1000) of worms uses ½ lb. of food/day This equals 3 to 4 lbs./week

A person generates about 1 lb. of food waste a week A family of 4 can support 1 lb. of worms A single person can support ¼ lb. of worms (250

worms)

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Adding the Worms

Place the worms on top of the bedding Worms will burrow into the bedding Shining a light source on the bedding will

help identify any dead or dying worms Unhealthy and dying worms will not burrow as

quickly (or at all) These should be removed from the bin

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Adding the Food

Break food scraps and any egg shells into small bits The smaller the pieces the faster the worms can eat

them Fast eating leaves less time for problems

Try to add equal amounts of “greens” and “browns” Green foods: Vegetable and fruit scraps, bread, pasta,

coffee grounds and filters, teabags, dead plant matter from houseplants

Brown foods: Paper, junk mail, paper egg cartons, cardboard, dry leaves

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Harvest Vermicompost

After 3-5 months the bin is full of compost (and very little bedding) It is time to separate the worms and harvest their

compost Failure to do so is unhealthy for the worms

For 2 weeks, add no new food to the bin Push all of the worm bin contents to one side of the bin Remove any large pieces of undecomposed food or

newspaper Worm food not fed during this period can be frozen for

use later (but thaw it to room temperature before feeding)

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Harvest Vermicompost

Replenish the bedding and provide food only in the freshly bedded half Encourage worm migration by covering only the

new side of the bin Allow the old side to dry out

Over the next 2-3 weeks, the worms will move over to the side seeking food and moisture This leaves worm-free compost behind Remove the compost and replace it with fresh

bedding

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Benefits of Vermicomposting – Soil

Amendments Worm compost contains worm castings and humus

It can be used outside or inside the home Work it into soil outside before planting Add it to potting soil for houseplants

It can also be used as a top or side dressing to feed plants periodically throughout the season

Compared to topsoil, worm castings have: 5 times the available Nitrogen 7 times the available Potash 0.5 times the available Calcium

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Benefits of Vermicomposting – Compost Tea

Worm castings are great for making compost tea Worms digest using bacteria These beneficial microorganisms make up an

‘inoculant’ for compost tea Worm castings also contain humic acid, a good

food source for compost tea Learn more about compost tea by checking

out online resources Handouts include a recipe for compost tea

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Problems to Avoid

Fruit Flies – these flies are not dangerous but are a nuisance indoors

Odor Problem – the worm bin should have an earthly but not unpleasant odor

Worm Death & Escape – keep an eye on the worm bin to ensure healthy, happy composters

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Fruit Fly Control

Bury food Avoid rotting food in worm bin

Fruit fly larvae are often present on rotten food Don’t overfeed - Food that sits too long in the

bin attracts flies Cut food scraps into small pieces

Worms eat small pieces more quickly This limits the chance fruit flies will hatch and

emerge

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Fruit Fly Control

Keep bedding moist, but not too wet Too much moisture encourages fruit flies Stinky anaerobic bacteria grow if it is too wet

Feed worms a varied diet Loosely cover the top of the worm bin

contents with plastic to keep fruit flies in (out)

Limit citrus fruits

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Fruit Fly Cures

Remove rotten food from the bin Fruit flies often lay eggs on rotting food

Create a fruit fly trap Put a bowl of apple cider vinegar with a drop

of dish detergent near the bin to attract and kill flies

Change liquid regularly to keep it potent Tape or staple flypaper strips on the inside of

the bin lid, and/or hang a strip near the bin

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Fruit Fly Cures

Sprinkle lime in the bin to neutralize acidity

Cover bin contents Use a sheet of newspaper Change sheet regularly Flies will cluster on the newspaper

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Fruit Fly Cures

Take bin outside leave uncovered for up to 4 hours to air out the bin out of direct sunlight

If uncontrolled, harvest the worms and start a new bin from scratch, using what you have learned from your past experience to create a better bin

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Odor Cures

Either the bin is too wet Add more dry bedding Stop adding any water or ‘wet’ foods (such as

melons) Or the bin does not get enough air

Anaerobic bacteria (which thrive without air) create odor

Aerate the bin by adding fresh bedding mixing bin contents daily

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Odor Cures

Some foods are naturally smelly Simply remove any food that smells bad Onions and broccoli create unpleasant ‘sulfur’

smells when they decompose Avoid these foods in bin

Noncompostables become rancid Don’t feed meat, bones, dairy and oily products to

worms These grow rancid when decomposing If worms don’t eat them quickly enough they create

odors

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Worm Death & Escape Cures

If population drops, or worms try to escape, the bin is: Too wet (worms may be drowning) Too dry (worms may be dehydrating) Gets too little air (worms may be suffocating) Do worms get enough food?

After worms devour all of the food and bedding, they eat their own castings

This poisons them Hungry worms will also try to escape, seeking food

Is the bin exposed to extreme temperatures?

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Worm Death & Escape

Dead worms decompose rather quickly. Monitor carefully to prevent worm death

If worms die or try to escape, check: Do worms get enough food?

After worms eat all food and bedding, they eat their own castings which poisons them Before this happens it is TIME TO HARVEST

The bin is exposed to extreme temperatures Temperatures from 55 to 77 degrees F are ideal

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Worm Predators

Centipedes Centipedes feed on worm eggs and young worms They don’t present a serious threat

Red Mites Red Mites attack and kill worms by sucking them dry Mites indicate the pH of the bin may be too acidic

Ants Eliminate by increasing the moisture content of the bin Deny access by creating a “worm bin island”

set the bin in a water-filled container ants don’t swim

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Harmless Worm Neighbors

Springtails & Pill bugs Brown or white mites

Put a melon rind in the bin Mites move onto it in large numbers Rinse off the mites (and repeat)

Potworms – compete for food They flock to a slice milk soaked bread Lift the bread and worms out of the bin

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Vermicomposting: Master Training Common Soil Critters

Vermicomposting: Master Training

Vermicomposting PDFs44

http://oacc.info/docs/vermiculture_farmersmanual_gm.pdf

https://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/ag-464-vermi-curriculum.pdf

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/publications/Documents/Schools/56001007.pdf

https://www.veseys.com/us/en/images/articles/learn/guide/composting/wormcomposting/the-worm-factory.pdf

http://www.greencalgary.org/images/uploads/File/Vermicomposting.pdf

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Vermicomposting: Master TrainingSources

History of Composting and Vermiculture Indoor Composting with Worms Troubleshooting Worm Bins Worm Composting Basics What to Feed Worms in A Worm Bin Cheap and Easy Worm Bin! NC State Vermicomposting Victory Seeds Red Worm Composting Worm Exchanges How Vermicomposting Works Vermicomposting How to Make Aerated Compost Tea Field Manual for Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems

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Vermicomposting: Master TrainingPhoto Credits City of Columbia, Missouri, Public Works Department.

https://www.gocolumbiamo.com/PublicWorks/Solidwaste/compost-mulch.php Turning food waste into energy: University of Missouri research furthers effort to get

more from leftovers, University of Missouri Extension, May 10, 2012. Photo Credit: Roger Meissen/MU Cooperative Media Group. http://extension.missouri.edu/NewsAdmin/Photos/2012/Food%20waster%20digester%203%20crop.jpg

City looks to expand composting program: Three producers contribute so far. Photo credit: Ryan Henriksen. http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/local/city-looks-to-expand-composting-program/article_7a4dca4d-cc71-56d3-91b3-5903ceb908b1.html

Indoor Composting: Making a Worm Bin. February 20, 2012, MyLittleVeggieGarden http://mylittleveggiegarden.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/indoor-composting-making-

a-worm-bin/ Winter Composting Tips – Outdoors & Inside, Claire Vannette, December 21, 2012

http://www.windowbox.com/blog/2012/12/21/winter-composting-tips-outdoors-inside/

Luther brings vermicomposting to residence halls, January 22, 2010. http://www.luther.edu/headlines/?story_id=260567

It’s Easy Being Green: The Art of Vermicomposting, Center for American Progress, January 19, 2011. http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2011/01/19/8947/its-easy-being-green-the-art-of-vermicomposting/

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Vermicomposting: Master TrainingPhoto Credits Vermicomposting, Ministry of Agriculture, Barbados.

http://www.agriculture.gov.bb/agri/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=297:vermicomposting-a-project-by-the-badmc-extension-department&catid=137:-barbados-agricultural-development-and-marketing-corporation-badmc&Itemid=99

Composting Basics For Beginners, By Shirley Bovshow, http://foodiegardener.com/composting-basics-for-beginners/

Great Lakes Worm Watch: Forest Ecology and Worms. http://www.nrri.umn.edu/worms/forest/index.html

Composting with Redworms, http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/redwormsedit.htm

Composting, Campus Sustainability Initiative, Brandeis University. http://www.brandeis.edu/campussustainability/recycling/composting.html

Worm Factory 360 WF360B Worm Composter, by Worm Factory. http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/outdoor-living/detailpages/wormfactory/wormfact-360-whatsincluded-lg.jpg

Composting IV: Harvesting your compost, Wish upon a Chef. http://www.wishuponachef.com/2013/08/composting-iv-harvesting-your-compost.html

Major Kinds of Soil Fauna. Organic Horizons and Layer, In Field Manual for Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems, British Columbia Ministry of Lands and Parks, Ministry of Forests, 1998. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/risc/pubs/teecolo/fmdte/soilohl.htm

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Vermicomposting: Master TrainingResources

Life of An Apartment Garden – https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/livingapartment/vermiculture/ Create Your Own Eden – http://www.createyourowneden.org.nz/composting_guide.pdf Composting in Schools – http://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/basics.html#Materials Earthworm Composting –

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fourh/old/teachers/enrichment/wildlife/9-12-worms.pdf NRS/USDA Tidbits for teachers and students - http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/ Vermicomposting - http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/vermicomposting.pdf Vermicomposting & Earthworm Q&A  http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/vermicomposting_earthworm_q_and_a.pdf Vermicomposting Curricula  - http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/vermiculture/curriculum.html Vermicomposting Leader's Guide: A 5th Grade School Enrichment Curriculum -

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/ag-464-vermi-curriculum.pdf Worm Away Your Cafeteria Food Scraps! -

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/ag551_cafeteria%20-scraps.pdf Worm Bin Troubleshooting - http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/worm-bin-

troubleshooting.pdf Worms Can Recycle Your Garbage -

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/ag473-18_wormsrecycle-revised-2012.pdf How to Make Aerated Compost Tea - http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/aerated-compost-

tea-zebz1307zsie.aspx?PageId=1#axzz37HgNQt8H