Vermicompost Procedures
- Red wigglersEarthworms image by Ana Dudnic from Fotolia.com
Vegetable trimmings and food wastes ending up in the garbage can account for up to one-third of our waste going into landfill sites. Outdoor composters work well in warmer climates but sit idle during the winter months in northern regions. Apartment and condo dwellers are left with no choice but to throw "green" waste into the garbage. The solution--vermicomposting. Bins can be kept under the kitchen counter. Let worms do the work. - Bedding materialswell equipped image by Scott Liddell from Fotolia.com
Vermicomposting is the use of worms to convert kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost for plants and gardens. Items needed to build a worm compost facility are easily found around the home or at your local hardware or grocery store.
A bin is needed to house the working worms. Stacking wooden bins can be constructed; however, a simple plastic storage container that is opaque works well. A large surface area is more important than depth, as the worms do all their work just below the surface. Drill some air holes 1/8" in diameter in the lid, around the sides at the top and a few in the bottom of the bin. Another bin without holes is then stacked underneath to catch any draining liquid.
Bedding consists of shredded newspaper or cardboard. Ensure that most of the newspaper uses black ink; avoid colorful pages that may contain chemicals harmful to the worms. Add a handful or two of pesticide-free soil and a few crushed egg shells to help keep the soil alkaline, and you are ready to go.
. - Feeding timeGreenbeans #9 image by PhotoDaniels from Fotolia.com
The most common composting worm is the red wiggler (Eisenia foetida). The worms must be purchased from a reputable vermicompost supplier, online or locally from a horticulture center. Be sure to purchase worms with inoculate or a starter culture included. The inoculant will contain microbes assisting with the breakdown of food wastes and helps the worms transition into their new bin.
When the worms arrive, add a couple of handfuls of soil to the bottom of the bin that has the holes drilled in it, and place the worms on the soil. Sprinkle the surface with a handful of crushed egg shells or another calcium source from a pet supply store. Cover this with dampened newspaper so that the bedding is at least four inches deep.
Now add food. Smaller vegetable particles or previously frozen particles work best, as the worms are able to break them down quickly. Worms are able to consume half their body weight in food each day. If you start with one pound of worms, half a pound of food each day would be required. Feeding a few times each week also works well, making sure to place the food in a different location within the bin each time.
Ideal foods include fruit and vegetable waste and tea bags, but limit the amount of coffee grounds and lemons and oranges going into the bin due to higher acid levels. Spicy food such as peppers, garlic and onions should be avoided, and never add oil, dairy products or meat products, as they will turn rancid, causing undesirable odors.
Keep the bin covered and moist--not wet--and add adequate bedding and a calcium source on a weekly basis or as needed. - Black gold For gardensFlower Garden image by Pear admin from Fotolia.com
Once the worms have been working for three or four months, it is time to reap their bounty. Lay a tarp or plastic sheet in a sunny location. Remove the bedding to one side and compost to another. The worms will move down to get away from the sunlight--simply scoop up the compost. Start the process all over again, and get your "black gold" compost into the garden or onto house plants.The cycle starts anew.
