HELLOWRITE SHORT NOTE ON VERMICOMPOSTING2000 TO 5000 WORDS

Compost is a rich source of nutrients for plants. Did you know that it is easy to make compost?

We know that waste materials that are obtained from plants and animals, when mixed with soil is converted into a useful substance called manure or compost. Compost is a rich source of nutrients for the plants.

Vermicomposting is a method of preparing compost during which earthworms are mixed with soil in a pit, along with waste materials that are obtained from plants and animals.

Things to do during composting

• The soil should be moist and wet (but not too wet)

• Waste materials should be from plant and animal sources only, i.e. they should be organic

• The contents in the pit should be mixed frequently in order to provide sufficient air and moisture

• Composting can be carried out in a wooden box, barrel, tank, etc depending on the quantity of compost and availability of space.

• Composting should be done in the shade

• After the earthworms are introduced into the pit, the composting material should be covered to provide protection from sunlight, heavy rains, and animals. Gunny bags, newspapers, cloth or a layer of grass can be used for this purpose.

Things not to do during composting

• Excess water should not be sprinkled

• Composting region should not be under direct sunlight

• Waste containing salt, pickles, oil, milk preparations, vinegar, meat etc are not to be used during composting

After three or four weeks, the soil turns dark, moist, and loose. This is compost and is now ready to be used.

More about Earthworms

Eating habits: Earthworms or red worms do not have any teeth. They grind their food with the help of a special structure called a gizzard. When powdered egg shells or sea shells are added to the composting mixture, it helps in the process of grinding of food by the gizzard.