VermicompostingWendy Hanson Mazet

What is Vermicomposting?

•Utilizing worms and microorganisms to convert organic waste into a nutrient-rich humus like material known as vermicompost (worm castings).•Vermicompost does not need to be turned because worms "turn" the organic matter in their digestive tract, eliminating work for gardeners.

Why do worm composting?

• Easy winter composting• Great teaching tool for the family and

kids• Manageable size• Great for people with small yards or

not yards• New kind of pet….• Worm castings are fantastic compost!• No screening needed and a small

amount goes a long way

Earthworms• 3000 species of earthworms worldwide• Common Species for us• Lumbricus terrestis – Night crawler• Lumbricus rubellus – Red worm, Manure Worm• Eisenia fetida - Red Wiggler, Manure Worm,

Tiger Worm

The garden wormKnightcrawler or dew worm

(Lumbricus terrestris).

• Not a composter.– Garden variety worm are soil- dwelling species that tunnel &

borrow.– Do not consume large volumes of organic material.– Will not reproduce well while being confined.– Live several feet below surface.– Feed on the surface at night.– Require cool (45 F) temperature.

VermicompostingCharacteristics of the Red Wiggler

(Eisenia fetida)

• Can consume 50 to 80% of it’s weight of food per day

• Requires 70% moisture – to breath

• Temperature – 60 - 80 Degree F

• Acidity – pH 6 – pH 8

• Aeration – Good ventilation and drainage

• Bedding and Food

• Surface area

• Darkness

Pistils Nursery

Vermi Reproduction

• Yes, the are hermaphrodites, but they are not self-fertlizing

• Worms are asexual (do not need a partner) but as a rule they do use a partner.

• Mutual exchange of sperm

• Fertilize in cocoons

– 4 eggs per cocoon

– Egg incubate about 3 weeks

Katemessner.com

Worm Bin necessities• Must be convenient• Easily accessed• Well-ventilated• Covered and protected

from wind, sun, and animals

• Must staff with in the safe temperatures for worm health (60 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit)

Worm Bins• Size

– What do you need?• Track your food waste for a week• You need 1 square foot of surface per pound of

waste

• Example:– 5 pounds food waste = 5 square feet of

surface needed– Bin should measure 1’ x 2’ x 3’ (6

square feet) Trinity Ranch

VermicompostingHome Made

The Wald Effect

Queenlee Coupons

• YOU’LL NEED:• Red worms – about

one pound • Two (2) 8-10 gallon

Rubbermaid totes • Power Drill  • A couple good size

rocks or wood pieces for spacing

• Newspaper and cardboard

Can-O-Worms• Most popular

• Enclosed tier system

• Easily moved

• Bottom catch tray and spigot

• Stackable mesh trays

• Worms migrate vertically

• Easy to harvest castings

More Bins

Worm Factory Tumbleweed Worm Cafe VermiHut Worm Compost Bin

VermicompostingOutside

Red wigglers – can not tolerate temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and will die if temperature become

hotter than 90 degrees Fahrenheit

Care…..

Tips

• Food – provide a variety

• Bury foodstock under bedding

• Don’t overload the system

• Keep thinking like an outdoor system

• maintain a safe Carbon to Nitrogen ration

What to feed worms

- (No meat, dairy products or oils and fats)- veggie and fruit scraps - Bread and grains- Coffee grounds and filters- Tea bags

- Experiment and monitor what your worms like, they are finicky. Many times they may not eat:

- citrus fruits- Eggplant- Avocado skins

The Do’s

• Orange peels (can be toxic)

• Plant cuttings treated with herbicides or insecticides

• Meats• Dairy products• Foods coated with oils or

fatty high acid solutions

• Fruit & (non greasy) Vegetable scraps

• Banana peels• Grains & cereals, clean

pastas• Tea bags & leaves• Cooked eggs & Shells• Coffee grounds & filters• Potatoes• Breads• Leaves• Plant clippings

The Don’ts

Trouble ShootingSymptoms Problems Solution

Worms are dying Not enough foodToo dryToo wetToo hotBedding is eaten

Bury the food in beddingMoisten until slightly dampAdd beddingPut bin in shadeHarvest worm compost, add fresh bedding

Bin smells rotten Not enough air circulationNon-compostables present

Add fresh beddingRemove rotting materials, etc.

Flies in bin Food exposed Secure lid, cover foodscraps with bedding, coverworms and bedding withplastic sheet.

Vermicomposting

Castings ( worm poop)• Rich in plant nutrients• Contain a high percentage of humus• Biologically active containing thousands of bacteria, and

enzymes• 5 times the available nitrogen• 7 times the available potash• 1 ½ times more calcium than found in good top

soil

Good stuff !!

Thank You

First with 0% worm castings added as well as two additional

bins with 10 and 20% worm castings. (WSU)

As little as 5% worm castings added to plants can increase there vigor and flowering. Plants on left

without. Plants on right with.WormsEct

VermicompostingResources

Adventures of Vermi the Wormhttp://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Kidstuff/ 

Worm Woman – Mary Applehoff – Worms Eat My Garbage

http://www.wormwoman.com/acatalog/index.html’The Eathworm Book: How to Raise and Use Earthworms

for Your Farm and Garden, by Jerry MinnichWorm Digest

www.wormbigest.orgThe Compost Resource Pagewww.oldgrowth.org/compost