WHAT IS VERMICOMPOSTING?

How to Set Up and Maintain a Worm Composting System.

by AROLUE FLEMMEN PRATER

Composting – the process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps into soil improvement and enrichment for plant growth. There is another type of composting called Vermicomposting. What is this odd sounding kind of composting, and how is it different from using organic material for soil betterment?

Vermicompost is the product of the decomposition process using various worm species to create a mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, plant fragments, bedding, and other material. This waste is converted into nutrient-dense compost called worm castings or worm manure. These worm castings enrich garden or plant soil.

Kayla Tucker of Hampton became interested in using this type of composting after reading about it while taking classes for Master Gardener certification. With her love of gardening, she researched further this concept which subsequently led to her implementing the vermicomposting for her own outdoor home garden.

Interest in pursuing a vermicomposting system? Storage, bedding, worm type, and food should be considered. While wooden worm bins can be built, a plastic storage container can be readily purchased and used for worm propagation. Drilled holes are necessary for worm oxygen. This container or worm bin can be stored indoors, outdoors, or in a garage but with care taken for a warm and comfortable temperature.

Bedding material of proper moisture content should include peat moss, coconut fiber, wood chips, black ink shredded newspaper and cardboard, dry leaves, and some garden soil. There are different worm group species; those that are the most satisfactory for home vermicomposting are the Redworms or “red wrigglers.” Some fishermen also use these for bait. Ordering can be done online or through commercial earthworm growers who advertise in gardening or fishing magazines.

Digging up earthworms from the garden is not desirable as those worm types are not suitable for vermicomposting.

What can the worms eat? Any vegetable waste generated during food preparation can be used, even plate scrapings of macaroni, gravy, vegetables, or potatoes! A container can be used to store the worm “food,” and spoiled refrigerated foods, coffee grounds and tea bags can go into the worm bin as well. Crushed egg shells make calcium carbonate more readily available to the microorganisms and other decomposers in the bin, and later to plants in the garden. Citrus peelings and rinds should be used in very small amounts as excess quantities will kill the worms. Very salty foods will pull moisture from the worm bodies and can also kill the food waste eaters. Nonbiodegradables such as rubber bands, aluminum foil, plastic bags and bottle caps have no place in a worm bin. The contents of the holding container can be emptied about twice weekly into the worm bin, being careful not to overload. Every two or three months the worm castings or vermicompost can be harvested by sorting and dividing the contents of the bin and placing fresh bedding in the bin. This harvested “black gold” can then be sprinkled in seed beds, in transplanting, or in sprinkling around the base of plants. The worm castings are rich in nitrogen, phosphates, and potash, making a high-grade fertilizer. What are the benefits of vermicomposting? There is reduction of landfill and food waste, better plant growth, garden-ready compost, and less fertilizer need.

The lowly earthworm is a remarkable and amazing creature that can increase soil fertility and aerate soil with its movement.

Through this “worm worker,” kitchen scraps and leftovers can be transformed into a rich and valuable commodity for any gardener. Having earthworms for “pets” requires virtually no maintenance and they prefer little disturbance. Given the proper environment and nutrition, these organisms provide enormous gardening benefits. Try vermicomposting and reap the rewards of these workers and gain a better appreciation of the intricate balance and interdependencies in nature.

Acknowledgment and appreciation to Kayla Tucker, Master Gardener, for her Vermicomposting notes and collaboration in the writing of this article.