Vermicomposting
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Vermicomposting Presentation by MacKenzie Nold and Jessica Connell from Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful
What is Vermicomposting? • Vermicomposting? • The use of earthworms to aerate soil and convert organic matter into compost. • What is Compost?
Composting • Decomposition of plants and other once-living material. • Nature’s Recycling process
What about the Worms? • What do we already know about worms? • Where do they live? • What do they eat? • What do they have to do with composting?
Let’s see if you’re right…The Truth about Red Worms • Red Worms live in the soil. • Red Worms are decomposers that break down organic material into rich soil that is full of nutrients. • What do they eat? Organic Material? • Potato peelings, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, celery, apple peelings, banana peels, orange rinds, grapefruit, cornmeal, oatmeal, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds with the filter, tea bags…
Worms and Composting • Worms help to deliver Nutrients and Vitamins to the soil by eating organic material and breaking it down into rich Compost. • Worms Aerate the soil as they make their way through the land. • Aerate = Worms tunnel through the soil which allows air to circulate through the soil. • Why is it important for air to circulate through the soil? • DECOMPOSTITION requires AIR! • Breaking things down!
Let’s take a closer look at how Worms tunnel through soil… • Take a look at the Worm-Tunnel Jar! • What do you see? • Why is this good for the soil?
Parts of a Worm • Worms are broken up into Segments. • Adult worms have 120-170 segments. • Worms have Setae on each segment. • Setae are tiny hairs that allow the worm to feel and move through the soil. • WORM PARTS ACTIVITY and WORKSHEET
Fun Worm Facts • Worms have No Arms, Legs, or Eyes. • There are over 2,700 kinds of Earthworms. • In One Acre of Land, there can be over 1 million Earthworms! • The largest earthworm ever found was in South Africa and measured 22 feet from its nose to the tip of its tail. • Worms are Cold-blooded animals. • Worms can grow a new tail, but not grow a new head if they are cut off. • If a worm’s skin dries out, it will die.
Making your own Vermicomposter • What do you need? • Two Plastic Bins • One Lid for the Bins • Soil • A few dozen Red Worms to begin with • Left over food for your worms! • Fruit, veggies, coffee grounds • Newspaper • Water to spray in the Vermicomposter to keep it moist, but NOT WET. • A tool to poke holes into the Lid.
Things to Remember! • What types of food should you NOT put in your vermicomposter? • Meat, Bones, Fatty Food Wastes, Chemically treated Woods and Plants, Human or Pet Waste… • Keep the Soil MOIST but NOT WET. • Feed your worms in certain sections. • Change sections each week to get the worms to move throughout the ENTIRE bin. • Worms are not gross or dangerous, they help to create the soil that is great for our gardens and crops!