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There have
been numerous books written on the subject of composting using earthworms
(Vermiculture). There has been extensive scientific data collected,
cataloged and written about Vermicomposting, Earthworms and their roles in
our environment. I will NOT attempt here to re-write those books, nor
re-investigate their results. I believe their conclusions to be both
accurate and acceptable. What I will try to do is boil all of the
information down into small enlightening chunks, that are easier to
understand.
We offer
Free on line
Vermicomposting Lessons, that help set up your first vermi kit, has more
information on those covered briefly here.
1.
Breeding habits of the Red Wiggler earthworms. I have found that the time
will vary and is dependant upon several factors:
- Climatic
changes. The worms seem to prefer a temperature of about (70ish), without
to many drastic changes.
- I've
found that by severely stressing the earthworms (unintentionally on my
part!) that they will get into a "survival of the species" mode and will
multiply faster. The instance I'm referring to was a long, dry spell, when
the beds were allowed to dry out. (Friend didn't water them, as he said he
would) The beds were dry for several months, before I returned and started
watering them again, I was amazed at the fast return of the baby
earthworms, they were everywhere, far more then I ever would have expected
had the beds been taken care of properly.
- Since
the earthworms can and do both breed and produce egg capsules, with each
egg capsule containing between 6 and 10 babies, they can and do multiply
quite rapidly.
2. Feeding
habits of the red wiggler earthworms:
- I've
found that they will eat almost anything! Although there are things that
are better and worse for them. Anything that is organic, decomposing and
in small pieces seems to work. There are some things that others suggest
be avoided, due to numerous reasons.
-
Some of the things that I've feed mine are leaves, manure (horse, goat and
chicken), grass clippings, food scraps (no meat please!)
trash.
I try not to put anything into avsa that will attract any pests.
- I cover
the new feed under a layer of bedding and only feed on one end of the
unit, so the earthworms can crawl into and out of it.
- By using
some common sense and only feeding doubtful things to a few at a time,
alot of troubles can be avoided.
- I
especially watch for animal manure that has come from animals that have
been "treated" for something. Might contain poision that harms, kills the
earthworms or contaminates the vermicompost.
- Likewise
I watch grass clippings from lawns that have also been "treated" with any
of the "cides" (herbicide, insecticide, etc.). I just prefer to NOT take
the chance. I don't want those things in the finished vermicompost, nor do
I want it to affect my earthworms.
- Here
again there are numerous books, links etc., on the subject.
3. Pests
- Pests
are plentiful and can only be dealt with on a "first come, eradicate"
basis.
- I
control flying insects with the old fashioned fly strips, they are cheap,
and work without harmful sprays. By placing them above the units, they
catch the insects as they enter and leave.
- Crawling
insects can be easily controlled by placing the legs of the AVSA into a
Coffee cans filled one-fourth full, with mineral oil, liquid dish soap and
a little bleach. Few crawlers will venture across and make it.
- Mice,
Rats, and all the other creepy things can be controlled by cleaning up any
dropped feed and keeping the area under the AVSA unit clean.
-
4.
Advantages of Vermicomposting Versus Composting
- I
believe that the greatest benefit is knowing that if a poisonous substance
is added to a compost pile, it will remain poison that is added back into
the garden, back into the food, and back into you.
- With
vermicomposting a poison will kill the worms. End of chain.
-
5. Production of Castings (Vermicompost)
- Here
again, a lot has been written, I prefer to use the formula that the pounds
of feed, eaten by as many pounds of earthworms will produce one half the
poundage of castings. In other words. 2 lbs. of feed, eaten by 2 lbs of
earthworms will produce 1 lb of castings per 24 hours. This can and does
vary depending on the food, size of pieces, amount of decomposition and
even the temperature.
By allowing
the feed to heat-up and start decomposing, hastens the consumption by the
earthworms. But don't let it get too hot, wait until it starts cooling off,
before adding to the bedding.
I hope that
this has helped explain some of the basics, earthworms have been around for
a long time, and survived far more then an inexperienced beginner. Best
advise is Go for it, get some and get to know them...They are my best little
buddies, hope they become yours also... |
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