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Composting the Vermi Way - Vermicompost

If you've been using compost for your garden for a while, and just aren't getting soil that is as rich as you'd like it to be, you may want to try creating vermicompost. This material can enrich the soil tremendously, and it is just as cost effective and eco-friendly.

Vermicompost is also called worm compost or worm castings. It is the end product of organic matter decomposition that is done by certain species of earthworm. The compost is also a great soil conditioner, so you can add it to the soil you are already using for your plants.

Red Wigglers are the worms most often used to create vermicompost, and the worms can be found throughout North America, as well as parts of Europe. They are comfortable living in compost materials, such as rotting vegetables, manure piles, and compost that has already been created. You can find these worms at fishing shops, since they are often used as bait, or you can order them from certain suppliers. The worms move through the compost materials and help to process it, so over a short period of time, you can have quality soil, even if you live in an apartment or don't have much of a backyard.

The earthworms work with the bacteria in the compost to decompose the materials, and sometimes, insects in the soil will help in the process. In order to create the right vermicompost for your garden, you'll need to decide on the composting system you want to use.

A continuous vertical flow involves stacking trays vertically, filling the bottom tray first. Special bedding is placed on top of the tray, and organic matter is added to the tray above it. Then, the worms begin to compost the material--starting at the bottom tray and moving to the one above it. Once the worms have migrated up the chain of trays, the bottom tray can be taken out and used for vermicompost. This is usually the most efficient method of composting; other methods include continuous horizontal flow and non-continuous. Judging from the amount of space that you have in your home or yard and the size that you want your garden to be, you can select the right vermicompost structure for you.

Have a look at our overview to find the composter or method that suits your particular situation.

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