What is
Vermicomposting?
Vermicomposting is the breaking down of organic material through the use of
worms, bacteria, and fungi. In nature, organic matter is decomposed
through these organisms. By managing vermicomposting you are essentially
speeding up mother nature's process of breaking down organic matter. The
end product of vermicomposting is a substance called vermicompost or "worm
castings". This is a nutrient rich organic substance that can be
added to soil to increase it's organic matter content and available nutrients.
A common way to use this process is to build "worm bins"; basically
boxes that contain worms. Organic matter is added to the bin for the
worms to eat! An advantage of "worm bins" over traditional
composting, is that if they are inside during the winter, they allow this
process to work all year.
Using earthworms to convert organic wastes is an ecologically safe method that
leads to an environmentally safe product. Two types of earthworms are
recommended for this, they are: the Red Wiggler or manure worm (Eisensia
foetida), and the Red Worm, another manure worm (Lumbricus Rebellus).