Global WormingGlobal WormingComposting With WormsComposting With Worms

The Metropolitan Environmental TrustThe Metropolitan Environmental Trust

Shelley UmezawaShelley Umezawa

What is Vermicomposting?What is Vermicomposting?

The process of using red wigglers and The process of using red wigglers and microorganism to convert food scraps microorganism to convert food scraps into dark earthy smelling, nutrient into dark earthy smelling, nutrient humus.humus.

Why Vermicoposting?Why Vermicoposting? Red Wigglers can consume their own weight in organic Red Wigglers can consume their own weight in organic

matter each day. matter each day. Reduces household wasteReduces household waste Provides a year round composting activity for home Provides a year round composting activity for home

and/or school.and/or school. Great option for apartment dweller.Great option for apartment dweller. Amazing Fertilizer – (Black Gold)Amazing Fertilizer – (Black Gold) FunFun

Your Worms Expect:Your Worms Expect:

Moderate TemperaturesModerate Temperatures 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit

MoistureMoisture Breathe through their skinBreathe through their skin

VentilationVentilation OxygenOxygen

DarknessDarkness To keep them focused on eating and reproducingTo keep them focused on eating and reproducing

Feeding Your WormsFeeding Your Worms

Organic Matter / Non processed foodOrganic Matter / Non processed food Fruits & Vegetables, Breads & Grains, Leaves and Fruits & Vegetables, Breads & Grains, Leaves and

Bedding, Coffee Grounds, Egg Shells, Tea BagsBedding, Coffee Grounds, Egg Shells, Tea Bags

Food to AvoidFood to Avoid Meats, Dairy, Oils, Salty Food, Sauces, Garlic, Tomatoes, Meats, Dairy, Oils, Salty Food, Sauces, Garlic, Tomatoes,

Onions, Fruit pits, Onions, Fruit pits,

Using Your CastingsUsing Your Castings

Enrich Potting SoilEnrich Potting Soil Transplanting SeedlingsTransplanting Seedlings Worm TeaWorm Tea Fertilize Mature Shrubs and TreesFertilize Mature Shrubs and Trees Lawn FertilizerLawn Fertilizer

Harvesting WormsHarvesting Worms

Dump and SortDump and Sort Newspaper or plasticNewspaper or plastic LightLight Container for castingsContainer for castings

MigrationMigration Feeding on different sides of your worm binFeeding on different sides of your worm bin

Divide and DumpDivide and Dump Remove about 2/3 of your worm binRemove about 2/3 of your worm bin

ReproductionReproduction

HermaphroditesHermaphrodites

They reach maturity in 2 to 3 monthsThey reach maturity in 2 to 3 months

They produce 3 or 4 Cocoons a weekThey produce 3 or 4 Cocoons a week

Cocoons take up to 11 weeks hatchCocoons take up to 11 weeks hatch

Cocoons average 3 hatchlings eachCocoons average 3 hatchlings each

What else lives in my bin?What else lives in my bin?

mite centipede

millipede

fruit flyisopod (sowbug)

springtailmold sporeswhite or pot worms