Vermicomposting: Promote Global Worming!

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VermicompostingPromote Global Worming!
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Darwin ? Earthworms

• The plow is one of the most ancient and most
  valuable of Mans inventions but long before he
  existed, the land was regularly ploughed, and
  still continues to be ploughed, by earthworms. It
  may be (doubtful) whether there are many other
  animals which have played so important a part in
  the history of the world as these lowly,
  organized creatures.
• - Charles Darwin, 1881

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Think about this

• How can I change from
• waste-ful to being waste-free?

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Common Species

• Lumbricus terrestis Night crawler
• Allolobophora caliginosa Grey worm
• Allolobophora chlorotica Green worm
• Lumbricus rubellus Red worm
• Eisenia fetida Red Wiggler

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Vermiculture Vermicomposting

• Vermiculture is
• the culture of earthworms
• Vermicomposting is
• using earthworms and microorganisms to convert
  organic waste into black, earthy-smelling,
  nutrient-rich humus.
• - Mary Appelhof

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Comparison of Composting

• Organic Matter
• Temperature
• Compost bin 130-160 F 6-8 months
• Worm bin 59-70 F year-round
• Air circulation
• Compost bin vents turning
• Worm bin vents worm churn

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1st E Education

• Resources on the Internet
• Red Worm Composting
• http//www.redwormcomposting.com/
• Worm Digest
• http//www.wormdigest.org
• City farmer
• http//www.cityfarmer.org
• Worm Woman (Mary Appelhofs site)
• http//www.wormwoman.com

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2nd E Equipment

• Suppliers
• The Happy D Worm Ranch
• http//www.happydranch.com
• Biological Home Grown Farm
• http//www.worm-publications.com/biologicalhome.ht
  m
• The Worm Farm
• http//www.empnet.com/worms/welcome.htm

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Worm Bins

• Size
• Construction
• Plastic vs. Wood construction
• Commercial
• Can-O-Worms
• Worm-A-Way
• Worm-A-Roo

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Bin Construction

• Wooden Bin
• Organic
• Breathes
• Heavy
• Deteriorates faster
• Can be built as furniture
• No treated lumber or fragrant woods (ie cedar)

• Plastic Bin
• Lightweight
• Holds moisture
• Will not rot
• Requires more holes for aeration
• Inexpensive
• Many bins available

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3rd E Environment

• A worm bin must be
• Convenient
• Easily accessible
• In a well-ventilated location
• Covered and protected from wind, sun, and animals

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Bedding

• Various materials
• Shredded newspaper
• Sphagnum Peat Moss Not Environmentally Friendly
• Manure
• Leaf litter
• Coir (Coconut fiber)
• Wood chips
• Dampen bedding with tap water

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Bin Care Maintenance

• Provide adequate bin and bedding mixture
• Maintain moisture level
• Provide air circulation in bin via adequate holes
• Provides aeration
• Controls odors by eliminating anaerobic conditions

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Foodstock

• DOs
• Fruit vegetable scraps
• Banana peels
• Grains cereals, pasta
• Tea bags leaves
• Cooked eggs shells
• Coffee grounds filters
• Onions potatoes
• Pancakes
• Banana bread, cake
• Leaves
• Plant cuttings

• DONTs
• Non-Biodegradables
• Plastic
• Glass
• Rubber
• Pet feces (cats)
• Toxic materials
• Ex orange peels
• Plant cuttings treated with herbicides or
  insecticides

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Other Organisms

• Mites flies
• Predatory planarians
• Centipedes millipedes
• Enchytraeids (white worms)
• Springtails
• Isopods (ie sowbugs)
• Bacteria, mold, fungi, etc.

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Harvesting Vermicompost

• Worm castings vs. Vermicompost
• Worm castings are deposits that have moved
  through the worms digestive system
• Vermicompost is a combination of
• Worm castings
• OM and bedding at various stages of decomposition
• Organisms such as worms and cocoons
• Microorganisms

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Harvest Methods

• Dump Hand Sort Method
• Lateral Method
• Vertical Method

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There is no such thing as waste, just misplaced
resources.How can YOU be more waste-free?