Vermiculture CFSA Conference 2016 Rhonda Sherman Horticultural Science

Vermiculture CFSA Conference 2016 Rhonda Sherman Horticultural Science Department

Vermiculture • Raising earthworms for resale • Focus: ideal conditions for worm growth, reproduction, and health • Usually purchase and haul feedstock or pay for feedstock to be delivered • Make money from sales of earthworms • Sometimes sell vermicompost • Some sell related products: shipping boxes, worm bins, harvesters, soil mixes, books, videos

Vermicomposting • Earthworms and microorganisms convert organic debris into vermicompost • Focus: processing waste (not increasing reproduction) • Earthworm size and reproductive rates often lower than in vermiculture systems • Large vermicomposting facility income – tipping fees for waste materials – vermicompost sales – sales of earthworms

Vermicomposting Definition Vermicomposting is a process that relies on earthworms and microorganisms to help stabilize active organic materials and convert them to a valuable soil amendment and source of plant nutrients.

Not! Vermicomposting is Not Composting Vermicompost is Not Compost Vermicompost Tea is Not liquid from worm bin

Vermicomposting is Not Composting • 30 days • 6 – 9 months • Ambient temperature • Pile must heat up • Passive aeration • Must aerate or turn pile – No turning!

Vermicompost is Not Compost • Has passed through worms • Microbes broke it down • Contains multitude of microbes due to stable ambient temp. • Microbe species and quantities changed by heat • Sells for $400 -$1800 cubic yard • Sells for $0 -$35 cubic yard

Vermicompost Tea…NOT! • LEACHATE: dark liquid that leaks out of bin • Passed through undigested, anaerobic areas of worm bin • May contain pathogens & anaerobic microbes harmful to people, animals, or plants • Could have sulfides, acids, or high salts • Not recommended for indoor or sensitive plants • Do not use on food crops

More “Nots” • “I use red worms not earthworms. ” • “We sell 100% pure castings. ” • “Some landfill diversion sites are using thousands of pounds of worms to convert tons of waste into vermicompost. ”

Earthworm Basics • Cold-blooded animal • Hermaphroditic • No lungs: breathes through skin • Dies if skin dries out • Light causes paralysis in ~1 hour

Aren’t All Earthworms Alike? • ~9, 000 species of earthworms • Half-inch to 22 feet long

Three Earthworm Ecological Groups Anecic Live in soil (vertical burrows) Eat soil & litter Endogeic Live in soil (horizontal burrows) Eat soil Epigeic Live in litter (no burrows) Eat litter

Use Eisenia fetida for Vermicomposting • Adapts well to living in a bin • Tolerates wide range of environmental conditions • Won’t invade the natural environment

They Make More Worms • • • Cocoon laid 2 days after copulation Incubation period 18 – 26 days ~3 hatchlings Sexually mature in 21 – 30 days Life expectancy 4. 5 – 5 years

Conditions for Vermicomposting • Temperature: 59 - 77 F (limits 32 – 95 F) • Moisture: 80% (limits 60 - 90%) • Oxygen requirement: Aerobic • p. H: 7 (limits >5 and <9) • Ammonia and Salt: Low

What Will Your Worms Eat? – Kitchen scraps, plate scrapings – Coffee grounds – Livestock manure – Agricultural crop residues – Leaves – Paper, cardboard – Organic byproducts from industries

Actually, They Eat… …microorganisms and tiny organic particles

Vermicomposting Process • Earthworms ingest microbes • Some are digested, others pass through gut unharmed • E. fetida has indigenous microflora in gut that contributes to microbial community in castings • Grinding action of gizzard promotes microbial activity in wastes as pass through gut • Mucus from intestinal tract covers castings – Provides carbon source for soil microbes – Leads to flush of microbial activity in fresh casts

Who is Vermicomposting? • • • Farms Households Prisons Hospitals Universities & colleges Office buildings Schools & daycare Military bases Entrepreneurs Community gardens

Vermicomposting Basics • Start with ~6 inches (15. 24 cm) bedding • Add composting earthworms • 1 -lb (. 45 kg) per sq ft (929 sq cm) • Apply 1 inch (2. 5 cm) layer of feedstock • Wait until feedstock is eaten before adding more • Cover food scraps with shredded paper, cardboard, cloth, plastic, tarp, etc.

How to Vermicompost • Build or buy a bin • Prepare bedding • Add earthworms • Bury food scraps • Harvest and use vermicompost

Space Needed • Collect/store feedstock • Worm bins up to 8 -ft (2. 44 -m) wide • Length: depends on your limits • Area to chop/grind food • Place to pre-compost?

Utility Needs • Water – Keep worm beds moist (see next) • Electricity – Fans and heating systems – Lights to discourage worms from leaving bins

Factors in Choosing Systems • • • Available on-site area Quantity of feedstocks Funding available Existing buildings Labor needs & availability Climate Predators State composting regulations Local zoning and health rules

Wooden or Plastic Bin with Lid

Bedding for Household Bins • Newspapers • Office paper • Dried leaves • Cardboard • Coir (coconut fiber) • Compost Bedding helps keep bin moist, dark, and discourages fruit flies

Pre-Moisten Bedding • Soak 10 minutes in water • Wring out like sponge • Fill bin half way • Add more as it disappears • Spritz with plant mister

Bedding for Larger Scale • • • Stable compost not high in soluble salts Aged horse manure Aged leaf mold or shredded brown leaves Shredded paper, cardboard Coconut coir

Add Eisenia fetida • Start with 1 pound (~1, 000) • 1 pound worms to 1 square foot surface of bin • Eat 25 -35% of body weight daily • Do not get from yard or bait shop – Would need 33 - 40 bait cups • Buy from a worm grower • Prices vary widely ($22 - $50 lb)

Gently Add Worms

Add Food Scraps to Small Bin • Use 3 -prong garden tool • Pull back bedding • Put in food • Cover w/ bedding • Do not bury food in vermicompost • Wait until food is gone before adding more Cover well to prevent fruit flies and odor

Feeding Worms: Larger Scale • Overfeeding is common problem • Add more after last feeding consumed • Nitrogen and mineral content (protein and food value) varies for different feedstocks – Fruit/veggies, manures, grains – VC will differ (effects on plant growth and use rates) • Do not cover top of bed with food; leave room on sides

Larger Scale Feedstock Issues • • Particle size Homogeneity Pathogens De-worming medicine Persistent herbicides Heating up Pre-composting

Pre-Composting • • Reduce volume Destroy pathogens Kill seeds If gets hot enough! Reduce heat in feedstock Courtesy: Patrick Mc. Nelly

Persistent Herbicide Effects on Plants • Stunted growth (main growth tip stops growing and lateral buds begin to grow) • Reduced fruit set • Cupping of leaves • Failure of secondary leaves to grow after seed leaves emerge • In legumes, compound leaves stay single Herbicide Carryover in Hay, Manure, Compost, and Grass Clippings: Caution to Hay Producers, Livestock Owners, Farmers and Home Gardeners (Jeanine Davis, Katie Jennings) http: //content. ces. nc su. edu/herbicidecarryover

Healthy Worm Bin Traits • • Bin smells earthy like forest Few earthworms are on sides, lid of bin Bedding is fluffy (has air spaces) Contents of bin damp not soggy Earthworms have moist, glistening skin Small quantities of other critters in bin Vermicompost accumulating on bottom

Be Safe! • Protect yourself and others • Pathogens (e. coli, salmonella, etc. ) • Wash hands after handling feedstocks, worms, products • Watch for snakes, things that bite or sting • Mold allergies • Products may contain pathogens, plant diseases, herbicide residues, etc.

Harvesting Vermicompost: Small Scale

Harvest Vermicompost Method #1: Light Separation

Harvesting Vermicompost Method #2: Sideways Separation

Harvesting Vermicompost Method #3: Vertical Separation

Harvesting Vermicompost: Larger Scale

Harvesting Vermicompost: Larger Scale Method #1 • Remove top 4 inches of worm bed – Use a pitchfork – Most worms will be in this layer • Set on top of new bed • Use shovel to remove VC from bed • Draw remaining worms out of VC by laying screen or mesh cloth on top with food on it

Harvesting Vermicompost Method #2: Sideways Separation • Start new bed next to working worm bed • Apply food to entice worms to move to new bed • Only feed new bed • After a few weeks, most of the worms should be in the new bed

Harvesting Vermicompost Method #3: Vertical Separation • Set tray on top of working worm bed • Tray has screen on bottom or holes that worms can move through • Only feed top tray, ignore bottom tray • Eventually most worms will move up into new tray

Harvesting Vermicompost Method #4: Continuous-flow System

Harvesting Vermicompost Method #5: Trommel Screen • Remove top 4 -6 inches of worm pile with pitchfork • Pitch into rotary trommel screener • Vermicompost comes out through 1/2 -inch or ¼ inch screen, worms come out of end • Use shovel for rest of pile

What Vermicompost Does For Soil • Improves soil structure • Increases moisture infiltration • Improves & stabilizes soil p. H • Increases moisture-holding capacity Courtesy of Tom Herlihy

VC Effects on Plant Growth, Disease & Pest Suppression • Increased rates of germination, growth, flowering and fruiting • Improved root development and stress tolerance • Decreased transplant shock • Increased plant vitality and flavor profile • Decreased attacks by plant pathogens, parasitic nematodes, and insect pests

Turnips Grown w/ 0%, 10%, 20% Swine Manure Vermicompost

Pythium Suppression Pythium symptom suppression in cucumber seedlings planted in a soil-less medium (MM 360) substituted with vermicompost, inoculated with Pythium (mean ± SE). SMM is sterilized MM 360, VC is vermicompost and SVC is sterilized vermicompost. Plants received all needed nutrients. Courtesy of Dr. Norman Arancon

Effects of Vermicomposts on Mealy Bug Infestations on Peppers Courtesy of Dr. Norman Arancon

Storing Vermicompost • Dark, warm place • Inside bag or bin with lid • Aerated yet retains moisture – Tiny pinprick holes

More Information • Worms Can Recycle Your Garbage • Raising Earthworms Successfully • Vermiculture Technology: Earthworms, Organic Wastes, and Environmental Management

NCSU Compost Learning Lab (CL 2)

NC State 18 th Vermiculture Conference - 2017 – Benefits & uses of vermicompost – Vermicomposting technologies – Vermicompost research studies – Marketing products – Testing vermicompost, soil and feedstocks – Brewing and using vermicompost tea https: //composting. ces. ncsu. edu/vermiculture-conference/

Slide Set Created By: Rhonda Sherman Horticultural Science Department North Carolina State University E-mail: sherman@ncsu. edu https: //composting. ces. ncsu. edu/ Copyright: All rights reserved