Vermiculture:

Promote Global Worming!

 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
 Presentation Goals

To understand the importance of the earthworm;

To understand the basic biology of the
earthworm;
To become enthused about the prospects of
home vermicomposting.
Think about this:

How can I change from

waste-ful to being waste-free?
 Earthworm Taxonomic Details

Phylum Annelida (Latin for rings)

Class Chaetopoda
Order Oligochaeta
Five families
Most common to N. America = Lumbricidae
3000 species worldwide
 Common Species

Lumbricus terrestis Night crawler

Allolobophora caliginosa Grey worm
Allolobophora chlorotica Green worm
Lumbricus rubellus Red worm
Eisenia fetida Red Wiggler
 The Earthworm & History

Casts found in Nile River basin = FERTILITY

No earthworms native to Minnesota
Exotics destroying understory vegetation
Darwin, Oliver and Barrett
Sir Albert Howard
The Rodales
Doc Hopp
 Lifespan of the Earthworm

Lifespan
Conservative estimate: 4-8 years
Barrett estimates 15+
Mortality by accident
Primitive physiology is unchanged
Body composition:
70-95% water
Balance = protein, fat, minerals absorbed from soil
 Earthworm Biology 1001

Segmented body
somites
Somites equipped with
setae
Five hearts
Cold-blooded
Peristonium = mouth
Prostonium for prying
 Earthworm Biology 1001

Mucus is critical:
Holds in moisture
Aids in respiration
Protects body while burrowing
Sperm carrier during reproduction
 Reproductive System

Hermaphrodites, but not self-fertilizing

Mutual exchange of sperm
Ova are fertilized in cocoons
Clitellum: light-colored band - produces cocoons
Cocoons contain ~ 4 eggs
Eggs incubate 3 weeks
 Regeneration

Myth: Cut a worm in half and youll have two

worms
Worm needs at least 13 segments
Will re-grow body segments (equal number)
 Nervous System

Brain = a knot of nerves

Ganglion serve as impulse centers
Super sensitive to touch
Allows worm to select food, avoid predators and
objects, and reproduce;
Can feel birds footsteps
Eyes are sensitive to blue light and skin to
ultravoilet rays = burrowing action
 Digestive System

Eats weight in soil & OM daily

Processed in alimentary canal
Muscular mixing with enzymes releasing amino
acids, sugars, organic molecules;
Includes microorganisms
Molecules absorbed through intestinal membranes
Result: CASTINGS
The Internal Earthworm
 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
 Why?

Year-round compost & organic plant fertilizer

Reduce, reuse, recycle
Non-polluting
Profitable commercial business
Interesting for all ages
 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
 Comparison of Composting

Moisture
Compost bin = rain, hose, organic matter
Worm bin = foodstock
Microorganisms
Compost bin = bacteria + fungi + some worms
Worm bin = worm mass + bacteria + fungi, etc.
 Comparison of Composting

Time
Compost bin = few months; depends on weather
Worm bin = few months
How can I vermicompost?

E
Three s:

Education
Equipment
Environment
 1st E: Education
Books
Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof
The Earthworm Book: How to Raise and Use
Earthworms for Your Farm and Garden, by Jerry
Minnich
Extension office bulletins
Earthworm Biology and Production by the
University of California Cooperative Extension,
leaflet #2828
 1st E: Education
Resources on the Internet:
The Compost Resource Page
http://www.oldgrowth.org/compost
Worm Digest
http://www.wormdigest.org
Cityfarmer
http://www.cityfarmer.org
Worm Woman (Mary Appelhofs site)
http://www.wormwoman.com
 2nd E: Equipment
Suppliers:
The Happy D Worm Ranch
http://www.happydranch.com
Biological Home Grown Farm
http://www.worm-publications.com/biologicalhome.htm
The Worm Farm
http://www.empnet.com/worms/welcome.htm
 Worm Bins

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

Size
Track food waste for a week
Allow one square foot of surface per pound of waste
Example problem:
Five pounds of food waste per week will require 5 ft of
surface.
Bin should measure 1 x 2 x 3 (6 ft)
 Bin Construction

Wooden Bin Plastic Bin

Organic Lightweight
Breathes Holds moisture
Heavy Will not rot
Deteriorates faster Requires more holes for
Can be built as furniture aeration
No treated lumber or Inexpensive
fragrant woods (ie: cedar) Many bins available
 Commercial Bins

Can-O-Worms
Most popular
Enclosed tier system
Bottom catch tray &
spigot
Stackable mesh trays
Worms migrate vertically
Easy to harvest castings
$130.00 incl. shipping
 Commercial Bins

Worm-A-Way
Plastic
Ventilated
Several sizes
Lightweight
$90-$100 incl. Worms &
shipping
Commercial Bins

Worm-A-Roo
Double bin system
Plastic
Migration device
Lightweight
$140-$170 incl. Supplies,
worms, and shipping
 3rd E: Environment
A worm bin must be:
Convenient
Easily accessible
In a well-ventilated location
Covered and protected from wind, sun, and animals
 Bedding
Various materials:
Shredded newspaper
Sphagnum Peat Moss
Manure
Leaf litter
Coir (Coconut fiber)
Wood chips
Dampen bedding with tap water
Mix well
 Bedding

Possible additions to bedding

Calcium carbonate to control pH
Do NOT use slaked or hydrated lime
Rock dust for grit
Zeolite for grit; also balances pH, controls odors,
absorbs ammonia
 Bin Temperature

Recommended: 59-77 F
A cooler bin A warmer bin
Stays moist Dries out quickly
Worms appear more Worms appear more
active lethargic
Bedding is thicker Bedding appears to be
settled
May have more mites
Harder to maintain non-
Easier to maintain ambient temperature
consistent conditions Additional moisture
required
 Bin Care & Maintenance

Provide adequate bin and bedding mixture

Maintain moisture level
Maintain temperature 60-65 F
Provide air circulation in bin via adequate holes
Provides aeration
Controls odors by eliminating anaerobic conditions
 Foodstock

Variety
Bury foodstock under bedding
Dont overload system
Maintain aerobic conditions
C/N ratio
 Foodstock
DOs DONTs
Fruit & vegetable scraps
Banana peels
Non-Biodegradables
Grains & cereals, pasta Plastic
Tea bags & leaves Glass
Cooked eggs & shells Rubber
Coffee grounds & filters Pet feces (cats)
Onions & potatoes
Toxic materials
Pancakes
Ex: orange peels
Banana bread, cake
Leaves Plant cuttings treated with
herbicides or insecticides
Plant cuttings
 Foodstock

Meat & Dairy products

Worms will consume
Not a good idea for indoor system (odiferous)
May attract undesirables
Can grind up bones (high nitrogen)
High N!
 Other Organisms

Mites & flies

Predatory planarians
Centipedes & millipedes
Enchytraeids (white worms)
Springtails
Isopods (ie: sowbugs)
Bacteria, mold, fungi, etc.
 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
 Harvesting Vermicompost

Vermicompost supplies:
Nutrient-rich organic fertilizer
Humus is beneficial to plant growth
Humic acid
Binding site for plant nutrients
Increases soil texture and aggregation
Improves permeability
 Harvest Methods

Dump & Hand Sort Method

Lateral Method
Vertical Method
There is no such thing as waste, for one
organisms waste is anothers resource.

How can YOU be more waste-free?