Mary Appelhof,

Transcription

1 Mary Appelhof, WormWoman.com Recycling Plant Nutrients << Photosynthesis Red worms >>>>>>>> (Composting Worms) Soil Microorganisms >>> << Decomposing organic matter: Microorganisms Mycorrhizal Fungi 1

2 Our Objective: Worms & Castings valuable soil amendment Worm Castings - Humus Composting Worms Are a gardener s partner in soil building and amending. They produce humus. Humus is the end product of microbial decomposition of organic material. 2

3 Worms as Food Earth Worm Flour Fish Bait 3

4 Vermicomposting Vermiculture The selection, care, feeding and breeding of composting worms. Advantages of Vermiculture Appropriate year round: indoors or outdoors Adaptable for those with physical limitations. Inexpensive with little labor required. No turning, no odor, little water used. 4

5 Advantages Set up may be of any convenient size with inexpensive equipment. Quiet, peaceful, educational Produce a soil amendment and a cash crop. Recycling rather than landfilling. Where Locations that are dark, moist, undisturbed & aerated with moderate temperatures. Indoors or outdoors in ABQ area. In a bin or in the soil Bedding temperatures from above freezing : 50F 85F with a moisture level 50 60% as in coffee grounds. Which Worms Eisenia fetida, aka red wigglers Eisenia andrei, cousin of E.fetida Eisenia lumbricus, red worms 5

6 Which Worms The 3 commonly used composting worm species are: Epigeic: They prefer to be in leaf litter, compost and manure piles where there is nutrition and moisture. They are sold by the pound or count. Multiple on-line resources for purchase Composting Worms They are light red to maroon in color. Adults are 2 4 long. They are cold blooded & breathe thru a mucous layer on the skin. They have no teeth; they do not bite. What Worms In nature they are shallow earth, leaf litter, manure and compost pile dwellers. They ingest decomposing organic matter > humus. They are hermaphroditic & easy to domesticate. Mature worms, ready to breed have a clitellum below the head. 6

7 Mature composting worms clitellum Anatomy Grit for Crop & Gizzard Worm Cocoons 7

8 Mature Red Wigglers Composting Worms Like: Dark, moist (50-70%), aerated, quiet environment free of vibration. Temperature range for ideal performance about 50-85F in their bedding. Composting Worms Like To mate when environmental conditions are appropriate.: Enough food, appropriate moisture, population and bedding temperature about 65F. To crawl away if habitat is not acceptable.: too hot, to wet, too acid, low food supply, overpopulation or too much vibration. 8

9 Worm Environmental Stress Too wet > anaerobic conditions > acids > unhappy worms Composting Locations Outdoors - in the soil; on top of soil Indoors - many possibilities On Top of Soil Bales hold in moisture. Protect from cold & heat 9

10 Location in the Soil Locations: in the soil Bin in the Soil 10

11 Tijeras, NM Bernalillo County Extension Worm Bin Poorly managed bin! 11

12 Above ground outdoors Mulched Raised Beds Maintain moisture and provide nutrition. Outdoors 12

13 Outdoor Bins In-the-soil bins provide shelter in all seasons. The surrounding soil moderates bedding temperature. Avoid full Summer sun locations. Need a top cover to moderate evaporation and decease flying insects. Cover bedding with organic mulch. May be deep in the soil. Outdoor Bins Feeding similar to indoor, manures may be added. Worms may be added to raised garden beds, moisture is maintained with organic mulches. With appropriate care, worms can be aerating and amending garden soil, year round. Manufactured Bins Worm Farm Stacked perforated trays 13

14 The Worm-Inn Worm-Inn Flow through system Bins, Piles & Pits Worms may be added to a cold composting operation. Pit in the Soil Composting Bin 14

15 Large Scale Ops Small Bin Set Up Screen fabric > Bottom Upper Sides A few small holes (1/4 ) are enough. Cover side holes with screen material. Bin set up Bedding: 4-6 of shredded paper / leaves 50 % moist. Sprinkle with 2 cups native soil. 15

16 Bin Culture Before getting composting worms decide where and how you will keep them. An indoor starter, opaque container should be 2 x2 x12 deep. Size the bin to your family needs. Put some drain holes in bottom of selected bin. Underline the bin with cardboard. Bin Culture Prepare a bed on the inside bottom with 6 of shredded paper & leaves moisturized to 50%. Add about 2 cups of worms to the top of the bedding. They will go down in a few minutes. Then cover the bin. Allow worms to acclimate for 7-14 days before feeding. Bin Culture / Moisture Moisture in bin: 50-70% - similar to the moisture content of coffee grounds. Very moist; not dripping wet. Plastic bins may condense moisture on inside. Add dry materials to absorb moisture. 16

17 Bin Culture / Moisture Convenient Indoor Locations Away from direct sun Moderate temperatures Away from vibration Garage, under sink, in closet, etc. Indoor Bins 17

18 Vermiculture /-composting It s a science, it s an art. It s popular. There are many possibilities. Research, decide, practice. Feeding: Chop / cut all additions: fruit, vegetable scraps, coffee filters, tea bags, crushed egg shells, food leftovers, plant clippings, shredded paper/leaves. Avoid food pile up, as compacted wet matter may cause odors. Feeding Too much food? Dehydrate, freeze or put in compost bin. Add another bin. Add food to the top of bedding, then cover with layer of paper, shredded paper or leaves 18

19 Feeding Additions will begin to bacterially decompose & soften, so that worms can ingest them. They have no teeth. Anything that was once, alive will decompose. Worm Nutrition-Additions Fruit & veg. peels & pulp, coffee & filters, tea & bags Grains & Cereals, leftovers, crumbs, pasta, rice Occasionally add ¼ cup of sand / crushed egg shell Shredded paper, towels, napkins, tissue, cardboard, egg cartons Egg shell crushed Dried grass clippings, shredded dry leaves, saw dust Manures ( vegetarian ) for out door bins Avoid Meat & fish possible odors, pests, flying insects Dairy, mayonnaise, nut butters, Butter, margarine, mayo, oils, fats slow to decompose, odors Chemicals anything ending in cide 19

20 Avoid Adding Waxed and glossy colored paper Glass, metal, plastic Caution : citrus, raw onion, broccoli OK in outdoor bins. Manures: OK for outdoor bins. What you feed your worms is your choice. If they do not like something, they will avoid it. Observe & learn from your own experience. Make Added Material Small Chop, shred, rip, tear, grind, blenderize before adding. 20

21 Manures Some animals receive de worming medication (vermicides ). The medication may pass into the manure. Check with your source. This manure should be exposed to sun & air for 3 months before giving it to worms. Bin Environment: If bin becomes too wet: Uncover it, then cover with screen. Add dry shredded leaves / paper. Gently mix into bedding. If bin becomes too dry: Use a mist spray bottle to moisturize. Add moist scraps. Continue to feed till castings are 12 deep 21

22 Harvesting When castings are about 12 deep worms & castings should be harvested. Set aside a few hours for harvesting. Have a container ready for harvested worms and harvested castings. Slowly scoop out worms/ castings. Worm and Castings Harvest Useful Information under ideal conditions: A pound of composting worms (about 2 cups) can eat about ½ lb. of food in 24 hrs. ( approximation). Begin breeding at 4-6 weeks of age. Lay a cocoon every week. A cocoon contains 2-4 juveniles. Hatches within 3 months. They can duplicate their population every 90 days. They live about 2 years. 22

23 Worm Castings May be used in the same ways as finished compost: As a soil amendment for pots & garden beds To make a tea used for irrigation and / or foliar spray. Mostly humus Worm Castings NPK aproximation: Improve nutrient exchange in root zone. Beneficial microorganisms & nutrients Humus acts like a sponge in the soil. Scrub Hands Afterwards 23

24 Worms are Fine Pets No barking, meowing > Quiet, peaceful No dander, no fur, no hair, no claws No special food No bathing or brushing No shots Can be left alone while on vacation AND their poop is useful 24