What is VERMICULTURE?
Vermiculture is the process of using worms to
decompose organic food waste, turning the waste into a
nutrient-rich material capable of supplying necessary nutrients
to help sustain plant growth. This method is simple, effective,
convenient, and noiseless. It saves water, energy, landfills,
and helps rebuild the soil. The worms ability to convert organic
waste into nutrient-rich material reduces the need for synthetic
fertilizers.
We violate natures ability to complete the
life cycle process when we send food down the garbage disposal,
or bury it in a landfill. We deplete the soil and deprive nature
from rehabilitating itself when we bypass this natural life
cycle recycling process.
Is Vermiculture Composting recycling?
Yes. Vermicomposting is nature's way of
recycling.
How does Vermiculture composting benefit the
soil?
Vermicompost improves soil structure, texture,
and aeration as well as increasing its water-holding capacity.
Your plants will grow stronger and have deeper root systems for
better drought tolerance and disease resistance.
Worms are necessary to help produce top soil.
Worms help the environment by decomposing organic material (food
and yard waste) turning it into a natural rich organic soil
amendment. The end result is called vermicompost, wormpoop,or
worm castings. Vermicompost provides a tremendous source of
nutrients for plants that dramatically improves the texture and
fertility of soil. This replaces valuable nutrients taken out of
the soil when fruit and vegetables are harvested.
Vermicomposting adds beneficial organisms to
the soil. These microorganisms and soil fauna help break down
organic materials and convert nutrients into a more available
food form for plants.
Like composting, vermiculture composting is
natures way of completing the recycling loop. Being born,
living, dying, and being reborn again. Adding compost to soil
aids in erosion control, promotes soil fertility, and stimulates
healthy root development in plants.
What do you feed worms?
Food scraps from the kitchen like fruit and vegetable
trimmings, lettuce leaves, carrot tops, ground egg shells,
orange peelings, banana peelings.
Yard trimmings, grass clippings, leaves, and mulch are
great for vermiculture.
Anything but meat and dairy products.
Where do you keep
worms?
Red Worms or
(Eisenia fetida) are the best
type of worm for eating food waste. These worms are surface
worms and stay in the top 18 inches of the soil. It is usually
best to keep them in a closed container so you can keep the
process going. Every three months the worms should be harvested
separated from the castings.
Worms are easy to care for but they require
food, moisture, oxygen, and a dark place to live.
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