VermicompostiVermicompostingng

A Look ON How “You” A Look ON How “You” Can Use Worms FOR Can Use Worms FOR

CompostingComposting

Definition of a WormDefinition of a Worm

any of numerous relatively small any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animalselongated soft-bodied animals

a person who has a nasty or unethical a person who has a nasty or unethical character undeserving of respectcharacter undeserving of respect

There are four main groupsThere are four main groups

(1)(1) Flatworms Flatworms Platyhelminthes Platyhelminthes

(2)(2) Ribbon worms Ribbon worms Nemertea Nemertea

(3)(3) Roundworms Roundworms Nematoda Nematoda

(4)(4) Segmented worms Segmented worms AnnelidaAnnelida

Redworms are part of the Annelida family.

TYPES OF WORMSTYPES OF WORMS

Anatomy of the WormAnatomy of the WormPharynx:Pharynx: used to grab food used to grab food

Esophagus:Esophagus: gets pushed down the gets pushed down the esophagus, then onto the cropesophagus, then onto the crop

Crop:Crop: the crop is a storage the crop is a storage compartment for food.compartment for food.

Gizzard:Gizzard: uses muscles that grind up uses muscles that grind up foodfood

Intestine:Intestine: digestive juices break digestive juices break material downmaterial down

Bloodstream:Bloodstream: some of it will pass some of it will pass into the bloodstreaminto the bloodstream

Anus:Anus: whatever is leftover comes whatever is leftover comes out the anus as castingsout the anus as castings

Worm FactsWorm Facts

There are 4,400 species of worms There are 4,400 species of worms 2,700 different kinds of earthworms 2,700 different kinds of earthworms A worm has no arms, legs or eyes.A worm has no arms, legs or eyes. An earhtworm has five heartsAn earhtworm has five hearts Earthworms do not have teeth Earthworms do not have teeth Earthworms lay eggsEarthworms lay eggs Earthworms are invertebratesEarthworms are invertebrates The earthworm's body is covered with chemoreceptors (say The earthworm's body is covered with chemoreceptors (say keekee--

mow-ree-sep-tuzmow-ree-sep-tuz) which is how the worm tastes things. ) which is how the worm tastes things. Chemoreceptors are tiny sense organs which detect chemicals in Chemoreceptors are tiny sense organs which detect chemicals in the soil.the soil.

Worm Facts Cont’dWorm Facts Cont’d

In one acre of land, there can be more than a In one acre of land, there can be more than a million earthworms. million earthworms.

The largest earthworm ever found was in The largest earthworm ever found was in South Africa and measured 22 feet from its South Africa and measured 22 feet from its nose to the tip of its tail.nose to the tip of its tail.

Worms can grow a new tail, but not grow a Worms can grow a new tail, but not grow a new head if they are cut off.new head if they are cut off.

Earthworms are hermaphoditesEarthworms are hermaphodites Charles Darwin spent 39 years studying Charles Darwin spent 39 years studying

earthworms more than 100 years ago.earthworms more than 100 years ago.

BreedingBreeding

Redworms reach breeding age in 9 to 12 weeks.Redworms reach breeding age in 9 to 12 weeks.

An adult redworm can lay one egg capsule a week. If they did???? Redworm Multiplication Chart for one year

Definition for Definition for VermicompostingVermicomposting

Vermicomposting is the Vermicomposting is the process of breaking down process of breaking down organic waste material organic waste material using red worms.using red worms.

About the Red WormAbout the Red Worm

• Red Wriggler (Lumbricus rubellus) 60-150 x 4-6 mm Mature in 179 Days; longevity 682-719 days Eat half their body weight a day Is known as a surface feeder Redworms reach breeding age in 9 to 12 weeksRedworms reach breeding age in 9 to 12 weeks Egg capsules hatch in approximately 21 days One capsule will have 2-12 redworm eggs and average 2 to 4 redworms actually hatching. 49,550 redworms from one redworm under optimal conditions for 365 days.

The Vermicomposting The Vermicomposting ProcessProcess

Where Do I Start?Where Do I Start?

First You Need A Bin!First You Need A Bin!All Kinds of Types and StylesAll Kinds of Types and Styles

2. Then you need 2. Then you need

Worms tunnel deeply in the soil and Worms tunnel deeply in the soil and bring subsoil closer to the surface bring subsoil closer to the surface mixing it with the topsoil. Slime, a mixing it with the topsoil. Slime, a secretion of earthworms, contains secretion of earthworms, contains nitrogen. Nitrogen is an important nitrogen. Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plants. The sticky slime nutrient for plants. The sticky slime helps to hold clusters of soil particles helps to hold clusters of soil particles together in formations called together in formations called aggregates.aggregates.

BeddingBeddingThe Following Materials are acceptable forThe Following Materials are acceptable forBeddingBedding

Any type of aged manure (avoid chicken; too hot!)Any type of aged manure (avoid chicken; too hot!) Straw or hayStraw or hay Shredded newspaper, cardboard, leaves, or grassShredded newspaper, cardboard, leaves, or grass Wood shavings (preferably mixed with one of the other Wood shavings (preferably mixed with one of the other

materials) materials) Peat Moss (first soak and wring out, before adding; too Peat Moss (first soak and wring out, before adding; too

acidic)acidic)A combination of any of the above materials are A combination of any of the above materials are

acceptable!acceptable!

Bedding Cont’dBedding Cont’d

Keep bedding material moist enough so Keep bedding material moist enough so that it feels like a well-wrung sponge.that it feels like a well-wrung sponge.

Add at least six inches high of bedding Add at least six inches high of bedding material (no specified amount is material (no specified amount is necessary)necessary)

Worms will eat their own beddingWorms will eat their own bedding

AerationAeration

Holes must be drilled either through Holes must be drilled either through the lid of your container or on the the lid of your container or on the sides; doing both is recommended.sides; doing both is recommended.

Either make holes very small or cover Either make holes very small or cover with screening to avoid fruit flies.with screening to avoid fruit flies.

DrainageDrainage• Is very important

•Drill holes in bottom of bin

•Cover holes with screening

•Make sure to have a catch basin underneath bin

•Use your excess liquid as compost tea for plants

LocationLocation

Worms live where there is food, Worms live where there is food, moisture, oxygen and a favorable moisture, oxygen and a favorable temperature. If they don’t have these temperature. If they don’t have these things, they go somewhere else.things, they go somewhere else.

VibrationVibrationPrefer damp, dark areasPrefer damp, dark areas

Can You Vermicompost Outdoors?Can You Vermicompost Outdoors?

You can leave your bin outdoors during You can leave your bin outdoors during the summer (keep well secured from the summer (keep well secured from rodents)rodents)

Build an insulated bin (search internet for Build an insulated bin (search internet for ideas or use your imagination)ideas or use your imagination)

Place in an area that gets lots of warm Place in an area that gets lots of warm sunlightsunlight

Location Cont’d?Location Cont’d?

Worms are cold-blooded animalsWorms are cold-blooded animals

Ideal temperature is anywhere between Ideal temperature is anywhere between 15 to 30 degrees celsius15 to 30 degrees celsius

The FeedingThe Feeding

Always feed worms as soon as you add Always feed worms as soon as you add them to your binthem to your bin

Feed at least once or twice per weekFeed at least once or twice per week Make sure food is covered Make sure food is covered The smaller the food scrap the faster it will The smaller the food scrap the faster it will

be turned to compostbe turned to compost Crushed egg shells reduce acidity and adds Crushed egg shells reduce acidity and adds

calciumcalcium

The Feeding Cont’dThe Feeding Cont’dWorms Vs. WasteWorms Vs. Waste

Red worms eat half of their body weight a Red worms eat half of their body weight a day; that means 1lb. (1000-1500 worms) day; that means 1lb. (1000-1500 worms) equals ½ a lb. a day equaling 3½ lbs. a equals ½ a lb. a day equaling 3½ lbs. a week.week.

Average household (4 or 5 people) throws Average household (4 or 5 people) throws away 7 lbs of food wastes per week. This away 7 lbs of food wastes per week. This would mean 2lbs. of worms would be would mean 2lbs. of worms would be necessary.necessary.

Find out how much your household throws Find out how much your household throws away a week.away a week.

What Is a Worms Meal Plan? What Is a Worms Meal Plan? A Healthy DietA Healthy Diet

Any type of fruit or Any type of fruit or vegetable (excluding: see vegetable (excluding: see non-healthy list)non-healthy list)

Coffee grinds/tea bagsCoffee grinds/tea bags Egg shells Egg shells Nut shellsNut shells BreadBread LeavesLeaves Shredded paper productsShredded paper products Sawdust/Shavings Sawdust/Shavings StrawStraw Grass ClippingsGrass Clippings Weeds Weeds Corn StalksCorn Stalks Any type of manure Any type of manure

(excluding: see non-(excluding: see non-healthy list)healthy list)

A Non-Healthy A Non-Healthy DietDiet

MeatMeat DairyDairy Chicken ManureChicken Manure CabbageCabbage OnionOnion GarlicGarlic Hot PeppersHot Peppers Any hot spicesAny hot spices SaltSalt

Time to HarvestTime to Harvest

What am I Harvesting?What am I Harvesting?Castings:Castings: Is the excrement from the wormIs the excrement from the worm They provide slow release nutrientsThey provide slow release nutrients Contain a high percentage of humus Contain a high percentage of humus

a) defender of disease a) defender of disease b) stimulates plant growth b) stimulates plant growth c) increases water c) increases water permeability and retentionpermeability and retention

Found to contain 5x’s more nitrogen, 7x’s more Found to contain 5x’s more nitrogen, 7x’s more phosphate, 40% more humusphosphate, 40% more humus

HarvestingHarvesting

Method 1: Move worms and finished compost to Method 1: Move worms and finished compost to one side of bin, then add bedding and food one side of bin, then add bedding and food

scraps to the other side of your worm bin. Then scraps to the other side of your worm bin. Then after worms have moved to the other side you after worms have moved to the other side you

can remove the finished vermicompost. can remove the finished vermicompost.

Harvesting Cont’dHarvesting Cont’d

Method 2: Empty the contents of your worm bin Method 2: Empty the contents of your worm bin onto a plastic sheet where there is strong onto a plastic sheet where there is strong

sunlight or artificial light. Wait 20-30 minutes, sunlight or artificial light. Wait 20-30 minutes, then scrape off the top layer of vermicompost. then scrape off the top layer of vermicompost.

The worms will keep moving away from the The worms will keep moving away from the light, so you can scrape more compost off light, so you can scrape more compost off

every 20 minutes or so. After several every 20 minutes or so. After several scrapings, you will find worms in clusters; just scrapings, you will find worms in clusters; just

pick up the worms and gently return them to pick up the worms and gently return them to the bin in fresh bedding. the bin in fresh bedding.

Harvesting Cont’d Harvesting Cont’d

Method 3: Method 3: build a small harvester frame of 2 x build a small harvester frame of 2 x 4s with a 3/16-inch mesh bottom. Place the 4s with a 3/16-inch mesh bottom. Place the

worm compost on the frame and sift the worm compost on the frame and sift the worms out. Larger pieces of compost can be worms out. Larger pieces of compost can be

returned to a new batch of bedding and returned to a new batch of bedding and worms. worms.

Problems With the Bin?Problems With the Bin?Here’s What you can Do!Here’s What you can Do!

Indicated ProblemIndicated Problem

Rotten smell (uncovered Rotten smell (uncovered food, poor aeration, food, poor aeration, overfeeding, bin to wet)overfeeding, bin to wet)

Worms are leaving the Worms are leaving the bin (hungry, poor bin (hungry, poor conditions)conditions)

Worms are not Worms are not multiplying multiplying (poor conditions)(poor conditions)

SolutionSolution

i) i) Make sure food is covered, don’t Make sure food is covered, don’t feed for a weekfeed for a weekii) Add straw, leaves or sawdustii) Add straw, leaves or sawdustiii) Drill larger holes, leave lid off iii) Drill larger holes, leave lid off

i) Feed themi) Feed themii) Cover drainage holes with ii) Cover drainage holes with screeningscreening

i) Add straw or manurei) Add straw or manureii) Change bin location (vibration)ii) Change bin location (vibration)

Problems With the Bin Cont’dProblems With the Bin Cont’d

Indicated ProblemIndicated Problem Fruit Flies Fruit Flies

(uncovered food (uncovered food scraps)scraps)

Worms are Dying Worms are Dying (bins to wet or to (bins to wet or to dry)dry)

SolutionSolution

i) Bury all food scraps completely i) Bury all food scraps completely and cover the entire top with and cover the entire top with beddingbedding

ii) Mix in dry bedding if wet, dampen ii) Mix in dry bedding if wet, dampen bedding if drybedding if dry

Why Would I Want to Why Would I Want to Vermicompost? Vermicompost?Benefits

Ready for use in only three months or less You can do it indoors; especially during those cold winter

months Keeps waste from filling up our landfills Educational for people of all ages Produces a sweet smelling compost, rich in nutrients Ideal for plants and gardens The worms turn and aerate the pile, so you don’t have to Regular compost needs to be aged Can be used in an office or apartment building Saves you money by reducing your costs on other fertilizers

General InformationGeneral Information Casey LunmanCasey Lunman

Owen Sound, Ontario Owen Sound, Ontario Phone: 794-3086 or 371-7052 Phone: 794-3086 or 371-7052 caseylunman@hotmail.com caseylunman@hotmail.com

Cathy's Crawly CompostersCathy's Crawly Composters Bradford, Ontario Bradford, Ontario Phone: 905-775-9495Phone: 905-775-9495r.c.nesbitt@sympatico.car.c.nesbitt@sympatico.ca

Canadian Original Canadian Original Vermicomposting Vermicomposting Al EggenAl EggenToronto, Ontario Toronto, Ontario Phone: (416) 693-1027Phone: (416) 693-1027Fax: (416) 465-6214 Fax: (416) 465-6214

The Worm FactoryThe Worm Factorywormfact@perth.igs.networmfact@perth.igs.netJanet and Jack LivingstoneJanet and Jack LivingstonePerth, Ontario Perth, Ontario Phone: (613) 267-5540Phone: (613) 267-5540Fax: (613) 267-4346 Fax: (613) 267-4346

Pennie'sPennie's Lane to Lane to VermicompostingVermicompostingPenny BernasPenny BernasParis, Ontario. Paris, Ontario. phone 519 753 0288 phone 519 753 0288fax 519 753 0217fax 519 753 0217brandy@worldchat.com brandy@worldchat.com

Web Wiggler WormsWeb Wiggler WormsJohn BrieseJohn BrieseBrampton ON Brampton ON Phone 905 455 4318Phone 905 455 4318

Arbour Environmental ShoppeArbour Environmental Shoppe Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa, Ontario Ph. 613 567-3168Ph. 613 567-3168Fax 613 567-3568Fax 613 567-3568Adrienne ArmstrongAdrienne ArmstrongArbourhemp@aol.comArbourhemp@aol.com

Green Venture Green Venture 905-540-8787905-540-8787Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton, Ontario contact@greenventure.on.cacontact@greenventure.on.ca

http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormsupl79.html

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In India 1,000 farmers have reduced their In India 1,000 farmers have reduced their chemical fertilizers by 90% by using chemical fertilizers by 90% by using vermicompost as a soil amendment for vermicompost as a soil amendment for growing grapes, pomegranates, and growing grapes, pomegranates, and bananas. Similar work is underway on bananas. Similar work is underway on mangoes, cashews, coconuts, oranges, mangoes, cashews, coconuts, oranges, limes, strawberries and various vegetable limes, strawberries and various vegetable crops. crops.

Could we do this? Yes or NoCould we do this? Yes or No