The Gentleman's guide to vermiculture

WHAT IS VERMICULTURE?

Worms have been around for a really, really, really long time. There is a belief that they have stunted evolution as they have attained evolutionary perfection for the task that they perform.
They help to improve water and airflow into the soil and break down organic matter in the ground. Behind them, they leave a trail of superfood that plants can use to grow. Their poop is commonly referred to as worm castings and is a very valuable type of fertilizer.
Vermiculture or vermicomposting is the use of worms to create compost. The worms will consume any organic matter in their way, including decomposing vegetable or food waste and bedding materials. The end result is then known as worm castings, worm humus or worm manure. I think poop works fine. Although, as a gentleman vermiculturist, worm castings are more acceptable.
The worm castings contain water-soluble nutrients and is an excellent, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner.
Vermicomposting is simple, effective, convenient, and noiseless. It also saves water, energy, landfills, and helps rebuild the soil. The worms ability to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich material reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Eisenia fetida

Eisenia fetida, known under various common names such as redworm, brandling worm, panfish worm, trout worm, tiger worm, red wiggler worm, red Californian earthworm, etc., is a species of earthworm adapted to decaying organic material.
Scientific name: Eisenia foetida
Higher classification: Eisenia
Rank: Species

Ah, my beloved red wigglers. My children believe I love you more than them ...

How To Build A DIY Worm Casting Trommel

I have started to expand on this, making another worm compost sifter from a couple of bicycle wheel rims and some rudimentary carpentry skills. *** COMING SOON ***

Worm bedding. What's hot and what's not?

Bedding is so important for your worms. It's where they hang out when they're not eating. Or they're eating their bedding. It provides a safe place for them to hide if the conditions in your worm farm are less than favourable. So what do you put in the bin for your worms to live in? The following list is not exhaustive, but it's a good place to start. Regardless of what is used for bedding, it should always be prepared. Typically this means soaking it in water for (about) twenty-four hours before putting it on the farm and then leaving the bedding for a couple of days to settle down. If you can add a bit of bedding from another farm, it will kickstart the microbe population. Leaves collected and kept dry. For new worm beds, soak the leaves in non-chlorinated water for a few hours then pour off the excess water. Dried leaves are both eaten by the worms and decompose naturally. This also serves as a pest guard when adding food. And they add a fresh, forest flo...

Worm Tea or Not Worm Tea?

This is the big question that keeps coming up in forums, on Reddit and various Facebook groups. What do I do with the run-off from my worm bin? Isn't that the Worm Tea that we've all heard so much about? Do worms actually wee? Many people believe that the runoff is the worm tea that we've all heard about. This is incorrect and can be dangerous! To start with, worms have neither kidneys or a bladder, so it's not worm pee. The runoff in the reservoir is moisture that has collected and drained through the worm bin. Leachate is the result of the decomposition of the organic waste that's fed to your worms. It may contain phytotoxins (that can harm plants AND humans) and are created by bacteria that aid the decomposition process. This waste liquid is being released from the cell structure of the organic waste as it decomposes. Don't worry! Every worm bin has a mix of good and bad microbes and as long as the good outnumber the bad, everything is okay. ...

The Gentleman Vermiculturist

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