The vermicomposting process uses nothing but specific kinds of earthworms.
These can either be red wigglers or nightcrawlers.
Worms that are used for composting eat off of organic wastes, which they in turn, transform into vermicompost.
Now, vermicompost is what we refer to as castings from worms (also known as worm manure and worm humus).
Now how does this natural process work? Well, nightcrawler worms and red wiggler worms are capable of breaking down organic materials into a rich and valuable source of compost.
So if you start feeding them with enough amounts of scraps from your kitchen or garden, then you can very well expect a nutrient-rich outcome after their digestion.
Any organic food that these worms take-in are also broken down with the help of good bacteria and other microorganisms; those of which are also present in the system.
Now every worm composting structure needs a worm composter.
Worm composters can be in the form of recycled plastic containers, trash bins, or old wooden barrels.
Bins that are to be used for housing these worms should also have a lid.
Take note that worms like to be kept in the dark (they are very sensitive to light, amongst other things), so make sure to provide them with that much needed cover.
Other than that, worm composters should also have ventilation and drainage holes.
Worms need oxygen too, so the air should be able to go in and out of the bin.
Drainage holes on the other hand should be able to draw off excess water from the bin.
This will also help in keeping the worms from drowning.
Also keep in mind that any type of vermicomposting bin won't be complete without its fill of bedding materials.
A worms bedding is usually composed of your browns and greens (a mixture of carbon and nitrogen).
You can arrange the bedding with old newspaper shreds, some dried leaves, and some soil.
Also spray or sprinkle in some water to help moisten the bedding.
Worms have very sensitive skin.
Their bodies should always be kept moist skin they breathe through it.
So if you leave the bedding too dry or too wet, then you're going to have to expect the worse.
Now, organic scraps from your kitchen or garden can also be used to feed your red worms or nightcrawler worms.
Such materials are crushed egg shells, used tea bag filters, coffee grounds, vegetable and fruit peels, strips or shreds of presoaked newspaper or cardboard, grass clippings, dried leaves, fallen plants, and/or days old animal manure (can only be from plant-eating animals).
After setting-up your worm food, start putting in your worms.
Have a check list with you and see whether you've completed the vermicomposting process.
Always make sure that you already have a worm composter that's been drilled with holes, a nice and moist bedding, some organic worm food, and of course, your compost earthworms.
When the set-up's done, along with a good maintenance of the whole system, you'll be able to reap a lot of good worm compost in no time!
These can either be red wigglers or nightcrawlers.
Worms that are used for composting eat off of organic wastes, which they in turn, transform into vermicompost.
Now, vermicompost is what we refer to as castings from worms (also known as worm manure and worm humus).
Now how does this natural process work? Well, nightcrawler worms and red wiggler worms are capable of breaking down organic materials into a rich and valuable source of compost.
So if you start feeding them with enough amounts of scraps from your kitchen or garden, then you can very well expect a nutrient-rich outcome after their digestion.
Any organic food that these worms take-in are also broken down with the help of good bacteria and other microorganisms; those of which are also present in the system.
Now every worm composting structure needs a worm composter.
Worm composters can be in the form of recycled plastic containers, trash bins, or old wooden barrels.
Bins that are to be used for housing these worms should also have a lid.
Take note that worms like to be kept in the dark (they are very sensitive to light, amongst other things), so make sure to provide them with that much needed cover.
Other than that, worm composters should also have ventilation and drainage holes.
Worms need oxygen too, so the air should be able to go in and out of the bin.
Drainage holes on the other hand should be able to draw off excess water from the bin.
This will also help in keeping the worms from drowning.
Also keep in mind that any type of vermicomposting bin won't be complete without its fill of bedding materials.
A worms bedding is usually composed of your browns and greens (a mixture of carbon and nitrogen).
You can arrange the bedding with old newspaper shreds, some dried leaves, and some soil.
Also spray or sprinkle in some water to help moisten the bedding.
Worms have very sensitive skin.
Their bodies should always be kept moist skin they breathe through it.
So if you leave the bedding too dry or too wet, then you're going to have to expect the worse.
Now, organic scraps from your kitchen or garden can also be used to feed your red worms or nightcrawler worms.
Such materials are crushed egg shells, used tea bag filters, coffee grounds, vegetable and fruit peels, strips or shreds of presoaked newspaper or cardboard, grass clippings, dried leaves, fallen plants, and/or days old animal manure (can only be from plant-eating animals).
After setting-up your worm food, start putting in your worms.
Have a check list with you and see whether you've completed the vermicomposting process.
Always make sure that you already have a worm composter that's been drilled with holes, a nice and moist bedding, some organic worm food, and of course, your compost earthworms.
When the set-up's done, along with a good maintenance of the whole system, you'll be able to reap a lot of good worm compost in no time!
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