Vermiculture   

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[edit] Introduction

Vermiculture, or worm farming, is the utilization of some species of earthworm such as Eisenia foetida (commonly known as red wiggler, brandling, or manure worm) and Lumbricus rubellus to make Vermicompost (aka Worm Compost, Vermicast, Worm Castings, Worm Poop, Worm Humus or Worm Manure), the nutrient-rich, natural fertilizer and soil conditioner, end-product of the breakdown of organic matter.

Unlike composting, worm farming can be carried out on the balcony of an apartment, if the bin is suitable and it is well maintained to avoid odors. Worm bins also:

  • can speed up the process by months[1]
  • are often much smaller than compost bins
  • can take pure kitchen waste, without needing garden waste or soil once the colony has been established
  • can handle paper (e.g. paper with food on it, which can't be put out with paper recycling)

[edit] How Worms Function in Our Ecosystem(s)

Common earthworms (nightcrawler types) might be the “most efficient biological agents to be found anywhere in the world. They specialise in removing dead organic material from the surface of the land, greatly enriching it in the process, and then…carry the improved reside deep underground, right down amongst the roots of plants, where it is most needed.” Other than increased fertility, these worms aerates the soil and improve water retention. 

Red worms are the smaller, more active, surface-dwelling (epigeic) earthworms( click, scroll down for a detailed explanation of varieties).

The symbiotic relationship between the worm and bacteria is similar to that that vermiculturists experience with their worms: the worms’ digestion is dependent on the bacteria that live off of, in and around them; their guts provide an ideal environment for the bacteria to do their work; in the end, both worm and bacteria receive subsistence from the digested paste. Then their waste becomes the farmer’s useful soil input. The breaking-down into ever simpler forms of elements and compounds make plant uptake easier and neutralize infected or toxic matter. Not only are worms castings some of the most nutrient rich compost in the world, the beneficial microbes within actually reduce pathogens in the soil. [1]

[edit] Reproduction

All earthworms have both male and female reproductive organs. These hermaphroditic digesters will mate at different times depending on their specific species and acclimation to their environment. [2] The quick reproductive rates of red worms make their employment especially appropriate in areas where many people grow their own food, since once worms have reproduced they can be gifted to neighbors (or your capacitance can increase, though you may need a bigger bin).

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Many composting worms will reach sexual maturity between two to two-and-a-half months. Watch for the development of the clitellum band (the light pink, sometime yellowish “collar”).
  • During copulation, the worms interweave in pairs or even groups. Sperm is released by all involved and affixes to the worms’ upper portion.
  • Soon after, the clitellum band excretes a mucous ring which eventually loosens and falls off, collecting sperm and eggs as it does.
  • This ring will fall off and form a ball-shaped cocoon. The outside hardens forming an egg casing about the size of a large grain of sand or a grape pip.
  • Approximately seven to fifteen baby worms will emerge from the casing in about seven weeks.[2]


[edit] Buy or make a bin

Your local council may provide affordable plastic worm farms or tell you where you can buy them. Cost is typically between $40 and $100, but may be less if buying from a local council. In some cases (e.g. in Nelson, New Zealand[1] and in Liverpool Council in Sydney[2]) a small rebate may be provided by the council.

If you'd like to make your own bin there are many designs that have already been implemented around the world. These can be adopted and altered to suit your own needs most appropriately:


[edit] Interwiki links

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://working-worms.com/content/view/38/60/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://working-worms.com/content/view/47/75/
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