The value of vermicast cannot be over estimated in the home garden. It is full of available nutrients ready for the plants to feed on. It has been estimated that one teaspoon full of vermicast has up to four billion bacteria whose life cycles interweave with the countless protozoa, fungi, worms and many other creatures. These all form the web of soil life that is the basis of plant vitality. Also there are 5 – 10 times more available plant nutrients in vermicast than there is in compost or soil.
Another important point is that vermicast is pathogen free so it is an excellent addition in potting media for growing seedlings.
The types of worms used for compost worm farms are of a specific type. These are the tiger worm (eisenia fetida), red worm (lumbicus rubellus), and the red tiger worm (eisenia andrei), and the African night crawler. The reason for this is that earth worms can’t easily be held in captivity and tend to go deeper down into the soil. The compost worms are by nature surface dwellers. They do need particular attention to thrive and multiply.
Compost worms need a confined container that will retain its moisture. It needs to be sited in such a way that is out of direct sunlight in a shaded spot. The moisture needs to be kept up to it for them to do well and the conditions should also be suitable for them.
