Vermiculture Made Easy_ Vermiculture and Vermicomposting in the Philippines
Vermiculture: Promote Global Worming
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Transcript of Vermiculture: Promote Global Worming
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Vermiculture:Promote Global Worming!
Written and designed By Julie Weisenhorn, Teaching Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota. December 2000
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Darwin Earthworms
“The plow is one of the most ancient and most valuable of Man’s 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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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.
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Think about this:
How can I change from “waste-ful” to being “waste-free”?
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Earthworm Taxonomic Details
Phylum Annelida (Latin for “rings”)Class ChaetopodaOrder OligochaetaFive familiesMost common to N. America = Lumbricidae3000 species worldwide
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Common Species
Lumbricus terrestis – Night crawlerAllolobophora caliginosa – Grey wormAllolobophora chlorotica – Green wormLumbricus rubellus – Red wormEisenia fetida – Red Wiggler
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The Earthworm & History
Casts found in Nile River basin = FERTILITYNo earthworms native to Minnesota– Exotics destroying understory vegetation
Darwin, Oliver and BarrettSir Albert HowardThe RodalesDoc Hopp
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Lifespan of the Earthworm
Lifespan– Conservative estimate: 4-8 years– Barrett estimates 15+– Mortality by accident
Primitive physiology is unchangedBody composition:– 70-95% water– Balance = protein, fat, minerals absorbed from soil
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Earthworm Biology 1001
Segmented body “somites” – Somites equipped with
setaeFive “hearts”Cold-bloodedPeristonium = mouth– Prostonium for prying
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Earthworm Biology 1001
Mucus is critical:– Holds in moisture– Aids in respiration– Protects body while burrowing– Sperm carrier during reproduction
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Reproductive System
Hermaphrodites, but not self-fertilizingMutual exchange of spermOva are fertilized in cocoons– Clitellum: light-colored band - produces cocoons– Cocoons contain ~ 4 eggs– Eggs incubate 3 weeks
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Regeneration
Myth: Cut a worm in half and you’ll have two worms Worm needs at least 13 segmentsWill re-grow body segments (equal number)
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Nervous System
Brain = a knot of nervesGanglion serve as impulse centersSuper sensitive to touch– Allows worm to select food, avoid predators and
objects, and reproduce;– Can feel bird’s footsteps
Eyes are sensitive to blue light and skin to ultravoilet rays = burrowing action
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Digestive System
Eats weight in soil & OM dailyProcessed in alimentary canal– Muscular mixing with enzymes releasing amino
acids, sugars, organic molecules;– Includes microorganisms– Molecules absorbed through intestinal membranes
Result: CASTINGS
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The Internal Earthworm
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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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Why?
Year-round compost & organic plant fertilizerReduce, reuse, recycleNon-pollutingProfitable commercial businessInteresting for all ages
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Comparison of Composting
Organic MatterTemperature– 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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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.
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Comparison of Composting
Time– Compost bin = few months; depends on weather– Worm bin = few months
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How can I vermicompost?
Three E’s:
Education
Equipment
Environment
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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
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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 Appelhof’s 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.htm– The Worm Farm
• http://www.empnet.com/worms/welcome.htm
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Worm Bins
SizeConstruction– Plastic vs. Wood construction– Commercial
• Can-O-Worms™• Worm-A-Way®• Worm-A-Roo™
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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 ft² of surface.
• Bin should measure 1’ x 2’ x 3’ (6 ft²)
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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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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
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Commercial Bins
Worm-A-Way®– Plastic– Ventilated– Several sizes– Lightweight– $90-$100 incl. Worms &
shipping
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Commercial Bins
Worm-A-Roo™– Double bin system– Plastic– “Migration device”– Lightweight– $140-$170 incl. Supplies,
worms, and shipping
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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– Manure– Leaf litter– Coir (Coconut fiber)– Wood chips
Dampen bedding with tap waterMix well
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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
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Bin Temperature
Recommended: 59-77° FA cooler bin …– Stays moist– Worms appear more
active– Bedding is thicker– May have more mites– Easier to maintain
consistent conditions
A warmer bin– Dries out quickly– Worms appear more
lethargic– Bedding appears to be
settled– Harder to maintain non-
ambient temperature– Additional moisture
required
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Bin Care & Maintenance
Provide adequate bin and bedding mixtureMaintain moisture levelMaintain temperature 60-65° FProvide air circulation in bin via adequate holes– Provides aeration– Controls odors by eliminating anaerobic conditions
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Foodstock
VarietyBury foodstock under bedding Don’t overload systemMaintain aerobic conditionsC/N ratio
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Foodstock
DO’s– 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
DON’Ts– Non-Biodegradables
• Plastic• Glass• Rubber
– Pet feces (cats)– Toxic materials
• Ex: orange peels• Plant cuttings treated with
herbicides or insecticides
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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!
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Other Organisms
Mites & fliesPredatory planariansCentipedes & millipedesEnchytraeids (white worms)SpringtailsIsopods (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 worm’s 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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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
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Harvest Methods
Dump & Hand Sort MethodLateral MethodVertical Method
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There is no such thing as waste, for one organism’s waste is another’s resource.
How can YOU be more waste-free?