Vermicomposting

1. Vermicomposting Made Easy Brian Rosa,NC Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance Welcome to this session on Vermicomposting or worm composting. We will cover the characteristic and differences in the garden variety worms and the Red Wigglers Reproduction and life cycle Small medium and large scale worm bin/digesters, other type of worm operations and equipment. Talk about the uses of castings. And if time we will set up a small bin. Later we are going to introduce some worms into to curing pile at UNC Welcome to this session on Vermicomposting or worm composting. We will cover the characteristic and differences in the garden variety worms and the Red Wigglers Reproduction and life cycle Small medium and large scale worm bin/digesters, other type of worm operations and equipment. Talk about the uses of castings. And if time we will set up a small bin. Later we are going to introduce some worms into to curing pile at UNC

2. Vermicomposting Utilizing earth worms and microorganisms to convert organic waste into a nutrient-rich humus like material known as vermicompost (worm castings) Eisenia fetida, commonly called ‘Red Wiggler’, ‘Manure Worm’, ‘Tiger Worm’ The process of utilizing worms and microorganism to consume/convert organic waste into a nutrient-rich humus like material known as vermicompost. Actually it is worm castings or worm poop !The process of utilizing worms and microorganism to consume/convert organic waste into a nutrient-rich humus like material known as vermicompost. Actually it is worm castings or worm poop !

3. Vermicomposting Characteristics of garden variety worm. Knightcrawler or dew worm. ( Lumbricus terrestris). ~ Not a composter. ~ Garden variety worm are soil- dwelling species that tunnel & borrow. ~ Do not consume large volumes of organic material. ~ Will not reproduce well while being confined. ~ Live several feet below surface. ~ Feed on the surface at night. ~ Require cool (45 F) temperature. Characteristics of garden variety worm. Knightcrawler or dew worm. ( Lumbricus terrestris). ~Not a composter. ~ Garden variety worm are soil- dwelling species that tunnel & borrow. ~ Do not consume large volumes of organic material. ~ Will not reproduce well while being confined. ~ Live several feet below surface. ~ Feed on the surface at night. ~ Require cool (45 F) temperature. Characteristics of garden variety worm. Knightcrawler or dew worm. ( Lumbricus terrestris). ~Not a composter. ~ Garden variety worm are soil- dwelling species that tunnel & borrow. ~ Do not consume large volumes of organic material. ~ Will not reproduce well while being confined. ~ Live several feet below surface. ~ Feed on the surface at night. ~ Require cool (45 F) temperature.

4. VermicompostingCharacteristics of the Red Wiggler(Eisenia fetida) ~ Can consume half it’s weight of food per day ~ Requires 70% moisture – to breath ~ Temperature – 60 - 85 Degree F ~ Acidity – pH 6 – pH 8 ~ Aeration – Good ventilation and drainage ~ Bedding and Food ~ Surface area ~ Darkness ~ Can consume half it’s weight of food per day ~ Requires 70% moisture – to breath ~ Temperature – 60 - 85 Degree F ~ Acidity – pH 6 – pH 8 ~ Aeration – Good ventilation and drainage ~ Bedding and Food ~ Surface area ~ Darkness ~ Can consume half it’s weight of food per day ~ Requires 70% moisture – to breath ~ Temperature – 60 - 85 Degree F ~ Acidity – pH 6 – pH 8 ~ Aeration – Good ventilation and drainage ~ Bedding and Food ~ Surface area ~ Darkness

5. Vermi Reproduction