Preparation of vermicomposting: complete guide of vermicompost

Vermicomposting is a popular method of composting, especially in this era when organic farming and natural farming are booming. In this article, we discuss a detailed analysis of vermicomposting.


What is Vermicompost?


vermicompost is a physically, chemically and biologically degraded organic material produced by earthmorms which consists mainly of digested soil and organic matter. It is rich in all major and micronutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, zine and calcium in simple forms so that the plant root systems can readily absorb them. To the advantage of the common man to understand the practical utility of material in the field of agriculture, it is given the name ‘Vermicompost’.
Earthworms maintained as cultures on organic waste feed on the substrate. The bed material, therefore, undergoes physical and chemical breakdown in the earthworm gut by the action of the digestive enzymes and the residing microbes. The undigested matter is excreted out through the anus as mucus coated granules. The feeding and excretion is a continued process.
Earthworms used in culture tanks consume three to five times their body weight of material every day. About 5 to 10 % is absorbed into their system for their growth and development and the rest is excreted. The accumulated, excreta of the earthworms has become a value based product in agriculture.

Rate of vermiComposting


Earthworms like Eudrilus eugeniae. Eisenia fetida and Perionyx excavatus introduced into 8 x 4 x 3 ft. pits filled with 800 to 1000 kg of organic waste will convert much of the added material to compost in 60 to 70 days time. The biomass or total weight of the earthworm population required for this process is about 8 to 10 kg of earthworms.
The weight of the finally recovered compost will be 400 to 500 kg by the end of second month. Depending on the number of pits and the number/weight of earthworms and availability of waste in the surroundings, vermicompost can be produced to an extent of 3 – 10 tonnes per month on farm land.
In other places such as parks, kitchen gardens, etc., as the waste collection is done in tanks, it is advisable to place PVC pipes (2.5 cm diameter) with a series of holes at 30 cm apart into the collected waste. This helps to aerate the waste and remove the bad smell. After filling the tank with waste, 1 5 to 1.5 cm thick soil paste has to be applied over the waste leaving holes to provide aeration.
After two to three weeks of collection, earthworms have to be introduced. This care and attention is essential from hygienic and aesthetic point of view. The quantity of vermicompost produced depends on the nature of the waste product used, species of earthworm and the environmental factors during the process of composting.

Precautions to be taken while preparing vermicomposting

  2. The tank/plastic tub should be thoroughly cleaned with fresh water before use.
  3. Grease should be applied all around the tank to prevent the attack of crawling insects on earthworms.
  4. Proper moisture should be maintained in the bedding waste material during composting.
  5. Waste material should be placed layer by layer as described in the following procedure.
  6. Water should be sprinkled once or twice a day on the gunny cloth till approx. 25-30% moisture is attained.
  7. When compost is ready for composting, sprinkling of water should be stopped.

Materials Required for vermicomposting

  • Tank made of cement, plastic or wood
  • Grease
  • Wastę oil
  • Agricultural waste/Kitchen garden waste
  • Gardening shovel
  • Mason’s sieve with pore size 3mm
  • Soil
  • Cowdung
  • Earthworms
  • Gunny cloth

Preparation of vermicomposting

  • Construct a cement tank or use a plastic tub. A wooden tank may be constructed using slender poles of Eucalyptus or Bamboo. Tie the poles in horizontal and vertical rows in the form of a tank.
  • Keep the tank above the ground level so as to prevent infestation of predators.
  • To prevent entry of ants, a layer of grease or oil can be applied all around the tank. A channel filled with waste oil can also be put around “the tank for preventing entry of ants. Place a 2-3” thick layer of soil on the surface of the tank.
  • Fill the tank with waste materials such as leaves, coir from coconut trees, saw dust, rice husk, sugarcane trash, wheat straw, etc. over the top layer with loose dry litter or straw to prevent loss of moisture. The straw can be used as a bedding material in successive rounds of composting.
  • Place a layer of kitchen waste and 1/2 -1 kg 7-8 days old cowdung. Release about 150-200 earthworms on the piled up waste material. Cover the material with a moist gunny cloth and leave it for 2-3 months.
  • Successive vermicompost can be harvested after every 4 to 6 weeks. Push aside the compost in the tank and collect decomposed compost with any gardening spatula, shovel or hand.
  • Separate unfed material, cocoons and worms