Why Vermicomposting Matters?

Vermicomposting is one of the composting methods that rely on various worm species such as red wigglers, white worms, and other earthworms in the process of decomposition. The end product from this worm activity is called vermicast.

This method also offers nutrients such as phosphates, nitrates, exchangeable calcium, and potassium.

• Besides, vermicomposting offers useful micro-flora such as P-solubilizers and N-fixers.
• Another reason you should consider vermicomposting is its ability to reduce water-soluble chemicals’ proportion. This chemical poses a risk of environmental contamination.
• Additionally, vermicomposting can be considered as a slow-release fertilizer. It leaves a long-lasting positive impact on the soil structure and fertility, plant growth, as well as suppressing soil-borne disease.

Vermicompost Benefits

There are various benefits of vermicomposting. They include the following:

1. Provides a better way of disposing of organic wastes
2. Enriches the soil with nutrients
3. Improves the soil structure
4. It makes clay soil more efficient for crop growing by improving its aeration and drainage.
5. It is a source of several beneficial microorganisms that break down organic matter, making it easy for plants to absorb the matter as nutrients.
6. Worm castings can be used to reduce and get rid of several harmful insects such as aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and mealybugs. Thanks to the chitinase enzyme produced by the earthworms. This enzyme naturally acts as an insect repellant.
7. Reduces trash collection fees

What Worms Are Used For Vermicomposting?

Worms are basically found in most soils that support crop growth. However, these worms might not be the best if you want the best results. This is because of their inability to process large amounts of organic wastes and reproduce well in a bin.

The best worms you should consider using are the Eisenia foetida, E. andrei, and Lumbricus rubellis.  Under these categories, varieties of worms include red worms, tiger worms, red wigglers, manure worms, and branding worms.

Most gardeners prefer red wigglers because of their ability to ingest organic wastes and reproduce rapidly efficiently. Red wigglers also tend to be a communal type of worms.

They always remain on the surface as they feed.

How to Get Started With Vermicomposting?

Is this the best method of disposing of organic matter and getting organic fertilizer? When you are convinced that you need vermicomposting for its rich benefits you, will likely lookout to set up your system.

Even if you are trying it out for the first time, it will be comfortable when you follow through with the guideline below.

Step 1: Setting Up a Worm Composting Bin

If you release little organic waste from your kitchen, you may go for the simplest worm composter. For indoor worm bins, get a bin usually made from plastic or tote having a lid.

Make holes on the sides and below, excluding the cover. The holes on the sides are vital in allowing ventilation. On the other hand, the holes underneath allow water to drain out.

For an outside worm composting bin, you can go for a simple wood box having gaps between the planks and heavy-duty plastic with holes for good drainage and airflow.

Both indoor worm bin and outdoor work bin must be raised to allow water drainage through the bottom holes.

Step 2: Bedding to Use

You have to fully get your bin ready before adding the worms and the materials. The best bedding you can use for this purpose includes the following?

• Shredded paper
• Shredded cardboard
• Leaves and straw
• Egg cartons
• Some sand soil

When choosing your material, ensure you select the correct material ideal for the season. For instance, avoid bleached paper.  If you thought that sand soil is unnecessary, then think again.

Sand soil is crucial in the worms’ digestive tract by adding needed grit.

You are required to add the beddings several times before maturing. This is because, as the worms feed on the materials in the compost, they eat the beddings too.

As a rule of thumb, add more browns as you provide the bin with more food wastes.

Step 3: Adding Worms

This is a crucial part of setting up vermicomposting. Having mentioned the variety of worms available, it’s time to visit your nearest worm farm. You can also visit a credible online worm farm to order your preferred worms for your compost. 

We love Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm for all of our worm needs.  You can find them here.

The size of your bin determines the number of worms you can order. For instance, if you have a larger bin of around 40 gallons or more, you might need 1000-2000 worms. On the other hand, you will need at least 500 worms if you have a smaller bin.

With the right conditions and enough feeding of the bin with waste food, the worms’ population may double their number in 90 days. Remember, the worm population will not be uncontrollable. So never worry about having too much in a single bin.

When adding worms into the bin for the first time, try as much as you can to maintain them in the bin, lest they find their way out.

To help keep the little creatures in the bin, make some holes in the beddings, add some food waste and cover the bin with more bedding.

Basically, use a small amount of soil, feed them well and cover them with damp newspaper. Check after one day to see if they are trying to escape.

If you find them near the lid, it signifies a problem with your bin, such as lack of enough oxygen, too many wet conditions, and excess acidic food.

Step 4: Feed the Worm Bin

Finding the right food for your bin is vital. You have to be sure of the foods that the worms like feeding on as well as those that can decompose quickly.

Below are foods you can consider in feeding your young worms.

• Vegetable scraps
• Paper
• Fruits
• Grain
• Eggshells
• Spent coffee grounds
• Tender garden trimmings

Not all foods are right for a worm bin. The following are foods you should avoid.

• Dairy products
• Meat
• Processed foods
• Animal manure
• Too acidic fruits like citrus

Oily foods are highly discouraged due to their potential to bring about odor and pest problems. Acidic fruits like citrus contain a toxic chemical compound that can be harmful to worms.

Step 5: Introducing Proper Vermicomposting Conditions

Best results are earned whenever you put your focus. When you put things right with your worm bin, you will expect to get the best results. After you have added food waste into your bin, you will want to offer proper conditions to encourage the worms to feed on the compost matter.

The main aspects you should always ensure to be available is enough air and moisture. Ensure you keep the worm bin slightly damp but not soggy.  Since the earthworms breathe through the skin, it is best to keep the bin ventilated.

You can encourage good air circulation and moisture by stirring your bin whenever you add food waste to the bin. This is also the best time to check the condition of the bin.

If you realize soggy and stingy conditions, add more shredded newspaper, ripped-up cardboard, or leaves and stir them up throughout the bin. On the other hand, if you notice extreme dryness in your worm bin, water it lightly.

Give the materials time for the worms to settle at the center of the cones. Then, harvest your worm castings slowly all around the cones until you begin seeing the worms. Gather the worms and put them back in the bin.

For large-scale worm farmers, employing harvesting equipment in the harvesting process might be the best option. The method uses in-vessel systems to produce the end product.

Since the red worms feed while on the surface, the system contains an incorporated harvest mechanism on the bottom. Food wastes and beddings are then added on top.

Worm Bin Basic Guide

There some aspects to check out to successfully benefit from vermicomposting. They include the following.

1. Providing The Right Conditions

There are a few conditions right for practical worm activities in the bin. These include adequate ventilation, darkness, and good drainage. You should also avoid exposing the worm bin to extreme temperature changes.

2. Choosing The Right Location

To ensure that these conditions are met, ensure you choose the right location for your bin. It is recommended to place it in a sheltered place with high humidity.

This offers a suitable environment for the worms to eat more, leading to speeding up the process of decomposition and reproduction more. Some gardeners prefer unused buildings, poultry sheds, and cattle shed.

Temperature regulation is also crucial through different seasons. In most cases, the projected temperature outside the bin may not affect the bin’s actual temperature. This explains the essence of having a compost thermometer.

You should use this thermometer to specifically check for the temperature in the bin. Different worms work best in specific ranges of temperature.

For example, the red wiggler worms perform their activities best at temperatures ranging from 55 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

As a rule of thumb, ensure to keep the temperature above 35 degrees Fahrenheit and below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures beyond this range may kill the worms.

3. Seasonal Worm Bin Care

I found it challenging to maintain worm bins in extreme temperatures of winter and summer. After a few experiments and learning from other experts, I harvested worm castings rich in nutrients.

During the winter, temperature getting below 35 degrees Fahrenheit is a norm. You can move your bin indoors and ensure that it is well insulated. You can also use a layer of leaves all around the bin, including the top part.

You will consider keeping your worm bin in a more relaxed location with adequate ventilation in the summer. This is another season when most gardeners lose their worms due to exposure to high temperatures.

However, if you notice temperatures beyond 95 degrees Fahrenheit, you can remedy the situation before it gets worse.

Try putting ice cubes or a frozen bottle of water into the bin. You can also stir and fluff your bin to let heat out of the compost. Get some damp sheets of newspapers or cardboard to cover the top in place of a lid for a while.

Sometimes when the higher temperatures cause dryness to the worm bin, you can lightly shower the container and mix the contents.

Ensure water carefully to avoid too much wetness that might be more tedious to remedy.

4. Proper Feeding Habits

Having already known the right foods to feed your worms and those to avoid, you have to determine how and when to feed the worm bin as well as the right amounts to add at any given time.

With a known fact that the worms eat an amount of food equal to their body weight, you can quickly determine the amount of food to offer.

Most people will add food wastes once a week. Regularly check the nature of the bin. Stir and fluff its contents before adding food to encourage air circulation and determine the worms’ food consumption.

It is important to remember to avoid over-feeding the bin. Overfeeding may bring about a foul smell of the waste food not consumed by the worms. This is why you are advised to keep checking the bin weekly before feeding to assess the worms’ feeding habits and adjust accordingly.

Additionally, the materials used to feed the earthworms should be properly shredded. The little creatures lack teeth.

This means that apart from shredding the organic waste material, mechanical separation of unwanted objects should be done.  This like metal, plastic, glass, and ceramic should be avoided.

Vermicomposting Methods

Here are a few methods you can use for vermicomposting.

Bin Composting

This is the most used method of vermicomposting by small-scale worm farmers. You can acquire a ready-made bin from the stores, recycle used plastic containers or construct one using wood.

Pit Composting

This vermicomposting method, on the other hand, is ideal for large-scale farmers. You can easily prepare the site by making pits with under thatched sheds measuring 2.5 m by 1 m by 0.3 m.

The sides of the shed are recommended to be left open. On the other hand, the pit sides and bottom should be made hard using a wooden mallet.

Pile Composting 

Another method best for large-scale vermicomposting is pile composting. This system has a constant height the same as the familiar bins for composting.

However, the sides can be adjusted, with various dimensions of your own preference. You can make the piles on a floor, greenhouse among other porch places.