Vermicomposting:Promote Global Worming!

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

Think about this:

How can I change from “waste-ful” to being “waste-free”?

Common Species

Lumbricus terrestis – Night crawlerAllolobophora caliginosa – Grey wormAllolobophora chlorotica – Green wormLumbricus rubellus – Red wormEisenia fetida – Red Wiggler

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

Comparison of Composting

Organic MatterTemperature– 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

1st E: Education

Resources on the Internet:– Red Worm Composting

• http://www.redwormcomposting.com/ – Worm Digest

• http://www.wormdigest.org– City farmer

• http://www.cityfarmer.org– Worm Woman (Mary Appelhof’s site)

• http://www.wormwoman.com

2nd E: Equipment

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

Worm Bins

SizeConstruction– Plastic vs. Wood construction– Commercial

• Can-O-Worms™• Worm-A-Way®• Worm-A-Roo™

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

3rd E: Environment

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

Bedding

Various materials:– Shredded newspaper– Sphagnum Peat Moss – Not Environmentally Friendly– Manure– Leaf litter– Coir (Coconut fiber)– Wood chips

Dampen bedding with tap water

Bin Care & Maintenance

Provide adequate bin and bedding mixtureMaintain moisture levelProvide air circulation in bin via adequate holes– Provides aeration– Controls odors by eliminating anaerobic conditions

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

Other Organisms

Mites & fliesPredatory planariansCentipedes & millipedesEnchytraeids (white worms)SpringtailsIsopods (ie: sowbugs)Bacteria, mold, fungi, etc.

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

Harvest Methods

Dump & Hand Sort MethodLateral MethodVertical Method

There is no such thing as waste, just misplaced resources.

How can YOU be more waste-free?