Composting Worms
Aug1
This article discusses types of worms used as composting worms. Probably the most common variety is that of Red Wigglers (Latin name Eisenia foetida). For it status as a species that thrives in rotting vegetation, compost and manure, it is an epigeic worm. It prefers conditions where other worms cannot survive. It belongs to the lumbicidae family.
Lumbricus rubellus is also well known as a species of composting worm – and like Eisenia foetida it prefers conditions where other worms are unable to survive. Other worms on the market include Lumbricus hortensis, Lumbicus terristris, Eudrilus engeniae, Eisenia andrei, and Perionyx excavatus.
Earthworms in general belong to a class of creatures called “annelids”, with the distinguishing trait of a cylindrical body, segmented both outside and inside. Of the approximately 4500 listed species of worms in the world, about 2500 are earthworm species.
Red worms are sexually mature at eight to ten weeks. They are a hermaphrodite species that mate at any time of year.
When worms do mate, the new worms are born from cocoons; the cocoons turn red when the new worms are about to emerge, and they are about the size of a grape seed. It takes about three weeks for a worm to develop within a cocoon once it is produced.
Although a cocoon can hold as many as ten eggs, in the most common scenario only three or four worms will be seen to emerge from one. West Country Worms is one company that sells composting worms.
Worm Compost
Aug0
Worm compost is perhaps better known as vermicast, worm castings, worm humus or worm manure; it is the output of earthworms’ feeding on dead cell matter. Worm compost, well-known as a widely used horticultural product, is usually obtained from organic waste like raw and cooked vegetables, fruit, teabags, eggshells, coffee grounds and small amounts of cardboard.
However, meat, fish and dairy products should not form part of a body material that is to be made into worm compost.
In its status as a widely used horticultural product, there are many benefits attributed to worm compost: such as how it improves soil conditions and enriches it with micro-organisms by adding enzymes such as phosphatase and cellulose. (Water holding capacity is improved as well.)
This has its benefits for plants – technically, germination, plant growth and crop yield are enhanced; and it enables root growth and structure.
From an economic perspective, it means a lower waste flow to landfill sites and it creates low-skill, practical jobs in local areas. And it’s good for the environment in that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
There are a number of vermicomposting bins on sale, which can be made of old plastic containers, wood, Styrofoam or metal containers. However, there are types of wood which are avoided in worm bin construction: some cedars, Yellow cedar and redwood contain resinous oils that may harm worms – although Western Red Cedar has been seen to have excellent longevity in composting conditions.
Worm compost is recommended as fertilizer material.
Organic Gardening Compost
Aug0
Organic Gardening is one of the most environment friendly and healthy ways of gardening. It is beneficial to both your garden’s soil structure and plants.
Organic gardening compost is the integral part of organic gardening and is comprised of twigs, leaves, rotten fruit, manure and other natural wastes which after decay resulted into much needed nutrients for plants that can’t be even provided by best sandy loam soil.
Organic gardening compost is really vital for offsetting the soil by improving the soil structure, its ventilation and the ground water retention capacity. There should be a compost pit for preparing organic compost and you should be prepared with all garden tools to start digging. The size of the hold is matter of concern as it should be large enough to contain natural waste.
Organic gardening compost can also be prepared above the ground but it is avoided most of the times due to presence of microorganisms, insects and the smell which are hazardous for health.
When it comes to turn over the compost or carry the material to plants, composting equipments like a shovel or a pitchfork could prove to be handy. You need to ensure, while deciding about the location of compost pit, that you pay attention to the creatures like earthworms dwelling in soil which break down the organic matters and thus discharges the nutrients needed by the plants.
You may add coffee or tea grounds, eggshells, and cow’s manure to organic gardening compost in order to make ideal ground for gardening. You should keep your compost pile always away from bones, animal fat and trimmings infected with plant diseases as they may pollute the final compost product and may prove to be unfavorable for gardening.
Worm Composting
Aug0
Worm composting is the process of administering worms to dead cell matter for composting it. Worm composting works much more quickly than traditional composting, and it is often referred to vermicomposting.
The earthworm species most used in the process (composting worms) are mostly Red Wigglers (Eisenia foetida), but European nightcrawlers (Eisenia hortensis) may also be used, as well as more acid-tolerant worms called dendrobaenas or dendras.
Worm composting is a common activity in locations over the world, although it is particularly large-scale in Canada, Italy, Japan and the US. Worm composting has its uses in farming and landscaping, such as in the manufacture of compost tea.
There are two systems of larger-scale worm composting, the first type using a windrow, which is just a body of bedding materials for the earthworms to live in; and there is always an abundance of organic matter for them to feed on, which is continually added to.
The second system is the raised bed flow-through system, which locates an inch of worm food across the top of the bed while an inch of castings is harvested from below when a breaker bar is pulled across the large mesh screen which constitutes the base of the bed.
Worm composting operatives may wish to note that the most kinds of worm composting worms – Eisenia foetida, Eisenia andrei and Lumbricus rubellus – feed most rapidly at temperatures of 59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (15-25 degrees Celsius). They can survive at 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
