Thursday May 17 , 2012
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Red Worms, Worms, Worm Composting, Composters & VermiCulture
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 A lot of worm enthusiasts might ask how to vermicompost with nightcrawler worms? Well, there are actually two common types of nightcrawler worms, the European nightcrawlers and the African nightcrawlers. To know more about these two, let’s read on further below.

 

What is Vermicomposting?


Well, vermicomposting is actually a natural form of recycling organic wastes. You simply use worms to make this process run its course. These worms then turn these organic scraps into a rich black soil material, which you can later on use to supplement your plants and soil (amongst other benefits).

The European Nightcrawler


As previously mentioned, there are types of nightcrawler worms, and the European kind would be one of them. Now this nightcrawler type can still be used for composting. But it has been observed that gardeners prefer using red worms, over the Europeans worms, especially when it concerns vermicomposting. Although it can still be used for composting. They can still make for good composting worms by helping aerate and fertilize the soil. Other than that, they also help make burrows of tunnels, to allow air and water to flow into the system. They are also the best worms to make as fish bait. But other than that, they are also good as live worm food for a variety of birds, reptiles and amphibians.

African Nightcrawler


altAmongst other nightcrawler types, the African nightcrawler is also a common one when it comes to composting. African nightcrawlers, also known as Eudrilus Eugeniae, is a very common commercial worm. It can be used as bait for fish, and also for composting. These African worms can be found in composting bins and worm farms; and can also produce its own batch of rich worm castings, just like Red Wiggler worms. It is through vermicomposting that worm composts are created. The worm composting process basically helps in the breaking down of decomposing organic materials (a blend of kitchen scraps and garden wastes). And just like the European worms, they too can produce an organic and nutrient-rich compost.
When raising nightcrawlers, you should know of their other contributions in the garden. You can simply rely on them to do the following things:

  • They help in the breaking down of organic wastes into a very valuable (black soil) compost, which can be used as an organic fertilizer for your plants and soil
  • They help improve the soil’s structure, as well as enhance the growth of plants
  • They help aerate the soil, which allows enough air and water to flow into the system (of your lawn or garden)
  • They also help a lot in the vermicomposting process by playing a big part in the recycling process


So, the next time you hear the question, how to vermicompost with nightcrawler worms? You should be able to supplement the answers soon after. And if you want to know more about the types of nightcrawlers, you may simply read on our previous article about it.

Uncle Jim’s recommends the European Nightcrawlers


You definitely won’t go wrong with our European Nightcrawlers! These Super Red Worms are easy to raise; and are heat and cold resistant. Other than that, they breed really fast; and are also great for using as fish bait. So buy your own batch with us today!
To know more about the product, check the European Nightcrawlers here.  

 


altThe best earthworm species for worm composting (also known as vermicomposting) are red wiggler worms. When compared to ordinary organic composting, worm composting is better because the worms used in this type of process gets to produce more. Its by-products are nutrient-filled; and is basically a hassle-free and an eco-friendly way for recycling organic wastes. Either way, you can compost with these fascinating red worms indoors or outdoors (paves the way for a year round of composting).

And just like any living thing that seeks a comfortable place to live in, Red Wiggler worms are also in need of the same thing. So before placing your compost pals in your composting bin, you should be able to prepare their bedding first. A worm bedding is usually a pile of organic materials that the worms stay and thrive in. So start by gathering materials, and then mixing all these together. These organic materials can be in the form of dried leaves, some pre-soaked and shredded newspaper or cardboard, some shredded straw, some dried clippings of grass, and some days old animal manure (don’t use pet manure for this). Your worms will also eat the materials inside the bin. So what you can further do is to put in a few more organic wastes like fruit and vegetable peels, some broken egg shells, and coffee grounds. Also, put in two handfuls of soil or sand. These materials will help provide that much needed grit for the worms to be able to digest properly. Take note that red wrigglers have no teeth, so imagine how they eat. Take into consideration the size of the organic materials that you’ll be putting inside the worm bin, as preparing these into smaller pieces will be a lot helpful to them (so that they may eat these materials with ease).

Your worm pals also like being in moist and dark surroundings, so putting them in these kinds of conditions will help them a lot. They would be able to thrive better in these conditions given that their bodies are made up of 75 to 90 percent water. Their bodies should always be kept moist to enable them to breathe better. And to be able to shun them away from all the bright lights, and to also keep the moisture inside the worm composting bin, you should be able to cover it with a lid that has a tight-lock feature to it.

Red Wigglers (also known as Eisenia foetida, tiger worms and manure worms) are also able to grow in number fast. The more worms there are in your bin, the more worm composts you’ll get soon after. Procreation works best for these worms if they are given enough food supply, and an ample amount of space to move around and breed. So, when they’re given the right amount of food and care, they’ll also be able to produce for you a quality-made, and odorless natural fertilizer (also known as worm compost or worm castings). You can use this natural fertilizer as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. It’s cost-effective, and will surely help you save financially.

Basically, worm composting is a good way for disposing of organic scraps, especially those that are regularly accumulated in the kitchen. It also provides your red wiggler worms a healthy food supply. There are actually a lot of beneficial things that you can get from vermicomposting with red wrigglers. You can learn more about this from our article: Facts About Vermicomposting

Uncle Jim’s recommends the 2000 Red Wiggler worms - Free Shipping

Ever wondered about the amount of Red Wriggler worms to use when starting a worm composting project? Well, starting out with 2000 Red Wriggler worms is the best choice yet. We’ll surely guarantee that these compost wonders get to you live, and insect/mite free! To know more about the product, check the 2000 Red Wiggler worms - Free Shipping here.

 


Tagged in: Worm Composting , Red Worms

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