Vermicompost

What is vermicompost? Vermicompost is the end result of worms decomposing organic matter to produce a usable fertile source of worm castings, that supply vital nutrients and beneficial microbes to soil, and plants.

The Red wriggler Eisenia foetida This species has an appetite for decaying organic waste material such as vegetable, newspaper, manure, grain hull, and almost all plant matter, along with non chemically processed papers, pet hair, drier lint. It can eat ½ of its body weight in one day. Doubles in population in 60 days, (depends on the size of vermicomposting space.

Worm+composting Why? On site fertilizer/compost. Low maintenance Rapid rate of decomposition No loss in nutrients, to the atmosphere No waste!

Food chain of vermicomposting

Castings, are 50 % higher in organic matter than soil that has not moved through worms. CEC- castings create a greater amount of charge-holding surface area. Other nutrients have the ability to attach to the organic matter that passes through the worm. Worms digestive enzymes (also the bacteria in the worms intestines) unlock many of the chemical bonds that other wise tie up nutrients and prevent their plant availability. Castings are 7 times richer in phosphate, 10 times the available potash, 5 times the available nitrogen, 3 times the usable magnesium, 1 ½ times higher calcium.

Vermicomposting and plant pathogens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFGQR5ERaP Q A practical application of vermicomposting will be with greenhouse cultivation of transplants. Do to the oxygen rich environment the worms produce, plant pathogens, and human pathogens find it difficult to survive.

Commercial applications -can be used for seed bedding -transplant mix -organic fertilizer -Organic disease management practices -potential business -

Biostead applications On site fertilizer Nutrient rich organic matter Used for greenhouse production -transplants, raised beds, rice paddies, zero agricultural waste, zero food waste. Compost tea No Oder! Low physical maintenance

How to Vermi farm! You need a structure to hold the worms Worms need a moist, cool, dark environment Hence: “Earth”-Worm.. temperatures between 55 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit and are suited to living in a worm bin Under a kitchen sink, in a garage, in a basement, under shade outside. Underground in greenhouse. Make sure there is enough space for the worms to reproduce. Let them eat there meal before adding more! Do not let them loose into your garden!

1 lb. per 1000 worms 1/2 lb. of kitchen scraps/green waste/ carbon is eaten each day. Average person in America throws .6 lbs. of food waste each day. Over 20 lbs. per month 30-40% of our food is ending up in landfills annually.

Making a change, is too make the system in play obsolete

Worms are woman/mans best friend!

Diverse ways of vermicomposting

tips Very small amounts of citrus fruits No meat, To avoid pest problems, and rodents, and smell. Don’t waste meat, that animal will be shaking its head in the spirit world. Egg shells are really important for adding grit to the worms digestion. Make an effort to dry them out, and crush them before placing them into the bin. Eggs shells help lower acidity, due to the calcium in the shells. do not add excess applications of eggshells though. Let the worms eat the eggs shells before adding more, Add around ½ cup of eggs per month, per 1 lb. of worms. (may vary)

More tips Making bedding- fill the bin ¾ the way with newspaper scraps, cardboard, coconut husk, rice hulls. Make sure to soak the bedding before hand. Worms eat their bedding Avoid glossy newspaper or magazines. Only soy based ink, or other plant based colors are acceptable.