Vermiculture

Vermiculture

A Dark and Creepy Business Coming to Light!

Background

• Composting method throughout the year• Production of organic fertilizer• Aid to aerate garden soil• Production of fish bait

Compost

• Special worms– Redworms (Lumbricus rubellus)– Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida)– Red Tiger (Eisenia andrei)– Nightcrawlers (Lumbricus terrestris) • Also great fish bait

Worm Bins

• Types– Commercial—often multi-layered– Commercial—automated– Homemade bins• Coolers• Styrofoam chests• Old refrigerators• Plastic storage bins

Worms

• How many will fit your needs• What type(s) will thrive?– Temperature fluctuations during year– Depth of bin and beddingFeeding: compost or worm food?Ratio of compost to number of worms needed

Problems

• Improper bedding• Unpalpable food • Unsuitable temperatures• Flies and other nasty visitors• Worm deaths• Odor

Commercial Home Ventures

• Sell worms themselves– Composters and bait

• Sell castings• Sell worm tea• Partner with businesses to recycle• Vermicomposter Consultant• Partner with landscapers

Worms in Art, Music, Poetry and Cultural Practices

• Walt Whitman “This Compost”• Pink Floyd “Waiting for the Worms”• Cathedral “Enter the Worms”• Theatre of Ice “Gone with the Worms”• Use of worms as watercolor paintbrushes• Worm Grunting

Worm Recipes

• Important and cheap source of protein• Worm’n’Apple Cake• Vermicelli with Earthworm Meatballs• Chinese Worm Skillet Dish• Earthworm Scramble• Caramel Earthworm Brownies• Earthworm Meatloaf

Vermiculture Websites

• Unco Industries: www.vermiculture.com• Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm: www.unclejim.com• Google search on “vermicultue”

Burlap and Desiccated Leaves

Styrofoam and Plastic Worm Bins

Kitchen Scrap Collection

Success!

Worms in garden