Vermicomposting Chores

Avid gardeners know that religiously doing gardening chores ensure not only the survival but also the productivity of their plants

In the same manner, hobbyists who raise earthworms do chores to ensure the survival of earthworms. Here is the list of chores.

Pre-Composting Biodegradable Household Waste

Earthworms feed on decomposing materials that has already undergone a hot [thermophilic] stage and has cooled off.

The Filipino household generates various kinds of kitchen waste. Vegetable trimmings, stale bread and fruit peelings can be directly added into the worm bed but not all kitchen waste can be immediately fed to earthworms.

High-protein wastes like meat and fish, oily foods, citrus and onions need to be pre-composted first before adding into the worm bed.

Sorting / Harvesting Vermicompost 

Earthworms can't survive long in their castings. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly separate the earthworms from their castings.  This is usually done by allowing the materials to pass through a screen mesh.  Stop watering your worm bin one week before harvesting the worm casts for easier separation of worms and worm castings.

Watering Your Worm Bed

Earthworms need 70% - 90% moisture content in their bedding. Watering is essential to their survival and there is a correct way of watering.

Allow the water to percolate throughout the substrate. Observe the bottom of the substrate . The bottom should be moist only, not wet. If water flows out, then stop immediately. Excessive watering leaches out the nutrients.

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Protecting Worms from Predators, Pests and Extreme Weather Conditions

Rats and frogs are natural predators of earthworms. And so do birds. Keeping the worm bedding covered is usually sufficient to prevent predation.

Pests, like ants and mites, are harder to solve. Dealing with earthworm pests requires research and experimentation. Over time, the earthworm raiser gains experience to confidently deal with pests.

Scorching summers and flooding are fatal to earthworms making it necessary to take mitigating measures to minimize effects of extreme weather conditions.

I have listed the chores associated with home vermicomposting. It might seem daunting at first but the only laborious chore is the sorting/harvesting of worms.

Start raising earthworms as pets and help Mother Nature!