VERMICOMPOSTINGVERMICOMPOSTINGPaul H. de Neui, InstructorPaul H. de Neui, Instructor

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Vermiculture

Definition of Terms

Vermicomposting Worm castingsThe production of

earthwormsComposting done by

earthwormsThe end product of vermicomposting

This is what we want!

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Eisenia fetida or Red Wigglers

• Genus Eisenia named for Swedish naturalist • Specie name fetida (foul-smelling) comes from pungent liquid exuded when handled roughly• More commonly known as Red Wigglers• Recognizable by yellow stripes between segments

Gustaf A. Eisen1847-1940

Introducing the Main Characters:

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Epigeic

Fascinating Facts about Red Wigglers

Hermaphrodites No LungsThey naturally feed on

leaf litter on the surfaceHave both sexes but

need another to mateThey breathe through

their skin

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Hearts

Even More Fascinating Facts about Red Wigglers

Headless Wonders Blind sightEarthworms have 5 hearts

If you cut off a worm’s head it will grow a new tail if it has the clitellum and at least 10

more segments. Severed tails will not grow new heads.

No eyes but above the head worms have light sensitive tissue

Source: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~rlenet/Summer2006.html

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME

Earthworm nervous tissuehttp://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/techniques/dic/dicgallery/earthwormnervessmall.html

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Red wigglers average eating one half of their

body weight per day

No teeth but strong mouth muscles. They need grit in

their gizzards to help digest

They actually like to eat the tiny bacteria and mold growing on the surface of the food source

How Much Can They Eat? How do they Eat? What do they Eat?

Common Questions about Red Wigglers

Not a real

Red Wiggler

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Red Wiggler Life Stages

Red wigglers are mature when they develop their clitellum where the sex organs are located. When fully developed the clitellum segment turns orange in color. Full maturity takes between 40 and 60 days.

Red wigglers mate head to tail, secreting a mucus that connects them. They exchange sperm which they store and later lay eggs in cocoons.

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Red Wiggler Life Stages

Red wigglers lay small lemon shaped cocoons which start off pale yellow and then turn a dark brown when the baby worms are ready to hatch (three weeks to five months depending on conditions). Each cocoon houses between 2 to 7 baby worms.

Mom/Dad and Dad/Mom wiggler do not care for their young. As soon as baby worms hatch they start eating. They darken in color as they mature starting out nearly clear and maturing to deep burgundy red with yellow stripes.

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Source: http://www.worm-farming.com/worm-life-cycle.html

Under ideal conditions red wrigglers live about five to six years

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And the best part of all is what comes out in the end: the castings!

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Benefits of Vermicomposting

1. Recycles waste in an environmentally-friendly way

2. Keeps more garbage out of landfills3. A sustainable way to produce low-cost

nutritionally-valuable organic fertilizer4. Very little time or labor is required5. Can be done year ‘round in Chicago6. It can be done indoors odorlessly!7. Can be done by all ages who will dig in8. Income generation through sale of

worms and vermicompost or both!9. Materials available to everyone10.The system is easily reproducible by

others once you learn how to do it

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Source: http://ncwormfarm.com/blog/?p=23

Chemical Comparison Between Vermicompost and Soil

• Vermicompost has between 5 and 11 times the Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) of regular soil – essentials for plant growth• Vermicompost also adds humic acid to soil that helps bind minerals and nutrients to soil and protect soil from UV degradation• Chemical fertilizers will increase plant growth and production quickly but will not build up the soil • Studies show best plant growth in a soil mix with 10 to 40% vermicompost content

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Source: http://ncwormfarm.com/blog/?p=23

Comparison Between Normal Compost and Vermicompost

• Heat of regular compost kills many beneficial microbes• Vermicompost is aerobic thus may have up to 1000 times the microbial activity of normal compost• Increased microbial activity in the soil means better disease resistance• Vermicompost can be generated in 1/3 the time of regular compost• Trench composting is a good outdoor compromise

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Benefits of Vermicompost:It Feeds the Soil while it Feeds the Plants

Source: http://moonco.wordpress.com/

Chemicals fertilizers actually destroy most life forms in the soil

Organic fertilizers such as

vermicompost promote

organisms in the soil

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How can I use vermicompost?

1. Add it to your potted plants as top dressing – mix in top layer2.Make your own potting soil or seedling starter mix (1 part peat,1 part perlite and 1 part vermicompost) 3. Strain it in water and make compost tea to use on all your plants

Source: http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/brewing-compost-tea.aspx

4. Add it to your raised planting beds or in your garden5.Share it with other gardening friends6. Experiment with other uses and have fun!

5-6 tablespoons per gallon of water

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Uninvited Guests

Fungas Gnats and Fruit flies are attracted to apple cider vinegar trapsSee these sites for ways to deal with fruit flies and fungus gnats: http://www.naturesfootprint.com/community/articles/fruit-flies-prevention-control-worm-bin. http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/how-to-get-rid-of-fruit-flies-naturally

Phorid FliesHumpbacked Flies

Fungus Gnats and Fruit Flies

Phorid flies attracted to honey water trapsMore information about Phorid flies at: http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/phorid-flies.htm

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Sources

Commonly asked Questionshttp://www.eulesstx.gov/composting/vc_questions.htmNutrient analysis of earthworm castings. http://www.vermiculture.ca/transform/worm_castings.htmAgrowinn Fertilizers. Wormcast guaranteed analysishttp://www.fertilizeronline.com/wormcast.php

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Earthwormshttp://www.sas.upenn.edu/~rlenet/Summer2006.htmlNC Worm News “The Benefits of Vermicomposthttp://ncwormfarm.com/blog/?p=23Red Wigglershttp://urbanwormwonders.com/red-wiggler-worms.htmlIngram, Bob. “Worms Species and Categories.”http://mypeoplepc.com/members/arbra/bbb/id17.html“We Love Worms.” http://www.biologyjunction.com/earthworm%20facts.htm