Worm Composting System

The method of preparing compost is also called vermicomposting. The compost obtained from worms, is rich in organic nutrients and is used both on a large scale in farming and on a small scale in home gardens. Worm composting is practiced on a large scale in countries like Italy, Canada, Japan, United States and the Philippines. Composting worms on a small scale is done using containers made of wood, rubber, metals or plastic.

Worm Composting System

It is good to have a worm compost bin at home for providing the plants with the necessary fertilizers. Composting worms is easy to do, and can be done through the following procedure.

Materials
The materials used for the preparation of worm compost are a suitable container, newspaper shreds or peat moss, organic material, uncomposted vegetables, water and earthworms. The earthworms selected for the worm compost should be in the proportion of 0.45 kg per square foot. The material used as a lid for the container should be a canvas tarp, a burlap sack or any other suitable item.

Preparation
The box selected for the worm composting system, should have 3 mm holes, starting 4 inches from its bottom. The holes cater to the ventilation needs of the system. The box should be bedded with newspaper shreds. The shreds provide ventilation and act as a fibrous material necessary for the worms to survive. On the top of the newspaper shreds, a little bit of water should be sprinkled and allowed to soak for a whole day. To obtain a loamier vermicompost, one can use Canadian peat moss instead of paper shreds.

Worm Species
Selection of earthworms is also an important task in the process of worm composting. The commonly used species are the Eisenia foetida and the Eisenia hortensis. The Eisenia foetida, commonly known as 'Red Wiggler', is a 4 inch long earthworm that has a red body and a yellow tail. Eisenia hortensis is the scientific name of the earthworm called 'European Nightcrawlers'. The advantage of using the European Nightcrawlers, is that they eat a lot and thus, produce fertilizers in the same proportion. However, the lower rate of reproduction is a factor that limits their use. The earthworms that need to be used should be purchased from an earthworm vendor. Just digging up the backyard soil won't give us an access to quality earthworms.

Maintenance
An important thing to be remembered in the maintenance of the compost bins is to keep them in an elevated position. The worms should be fed properly and on a regular basis in order to keep them healthy. Enough moisture, if maintained in the bin, leads to the healthy growth of worms. Vegetable scraps should be added to the bin every week to nourish them. The earthworm food that is added to the bin, should be in small proportions but on a regular basis. Excessive feeding leads to the fattening of the worms, while a balanced diet helps in the increase in production.

Harvesting
The harvesting of compost is done with the help of gloves. The mixture containing earthworms and compost should be taken out of the container and spread on a piece of paper. The paper should be kept in bright light. It makes the worms migrate towards the moist portion of the heap. The dried out compost should be separated from the earthworms as they move towards the moist area.

The procedure for the preparation of compost is thus, simple to understand and easy to follow. Following the above process and guidelines helps us obtain a compost manure that is rich in nutrients.