Vermicomposting Basics

Vermiculture, or worm farming, is the use of worms to break down organic material. It’s a simple way of turning table scraps into compost. The end product is a nutrient-rich natural fertilizer called “worm castings.” A vermicompost bin can maintain the conditions necessary for hosting an environment for worm reproduction.

Backyard Vermiculture Benefits

Vermiculture can benefit your backyard garden in the following ways:

• It will enhance your existing composting operation.
• It will use worms to create a highyield nutrient-rich fertilizer.
• Worms, such as red wigglers and earthworms, will help break down organic material more rapidly.
• The end product will have a higher amount of humus than compost, and humus can improve aeration and water retention tremendously.

Vermicompost is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and contains both macronutrients and micronutrients that benefit plant health and stimulate plant growth. The compost contains worm castings; partially decomposed organic materials; and organic waste with fragments of plants, food,