Explain the process of vermicomposting

Vermicomposting is a method of making compost from kitchen wastes by using redworms. Vermicompost is high quality manure which can be prepared by digging a pit in the ground or by using a wooden box or a metal bin.

The kitchen garbage containing fruit and vegetable peels, left-over cooked food, tea-leaves, etc. are the organic wastes used in vermicomposting.

Formation of vermicompost:

1. Dig a pit about 30 centimeters deep in the ground at a place which is neither too hot nor too cold.
2. The kitchen garbage is spread over the chicken mesh or sand layer. Other waste materials such as green leaves, dried stalks, husk, pieces of paper, newspaper and cardboard are added.
3. Sprinkle some water in the pit to make the layer of garbage wet. The layer of garbage should be kept loose so that it has sufficient air and moisture.
4. Redworms are put into the pit or box.
5. Cover the pit loosely with a gunny bag or an old sheet of cloth or a layer of grass.
6. Redworms eat the rotting garbage as food. They do not have teeth body have a special structure called gizzard which helps in grinding the food. Powdered egg shells are usually mixed with the kitchen waste in the pit. The excretions of redworms keep on collecting in the pit which make up vermicompost.
7. Put some fresh kitchen waste in one corner of the pit so that all the redworms shift towards the corner of the pit. Remove the vermicompost from the vacated part of the pit and dry it in sunshine for few hours.