What is Vermiculture?

Vermiculture is the process of garden composting using worms. The worms consume decaying organic materials and then flush them out of their systems, referred to as ‘worm manure’ or ‘castings.’ The worm castings are rich in nutrients, making the compost an all-natural fertiliser and excellent soil conditioner. The worms’ underground burrows also create soil channels, making the soil more porous and allowing water to move deeper in the soil column.

The Mighty Tiger Worm

• The scientific name is Eisenia foetida, also known as Redworm, Red Wiggler, Brandlings or Manure Worm
• The Tiger worm is an Epigeic worm, i.e. they live on the surface of the soil
• Closely related to the common earthworm but are much more aggressive
• Tiger Worms thrive in rotting vegetation, compost and manure
• Are usually found feasting on heaps  of animal manure, rotting leaf mounds and other organic  materials that are on top of the soil
• Tiger Worms possess all the characteristics needed for composting and have proven to be the most effective in the composting process
• The gut of the worm is teeming with bacteria and enzymes with which it digests its food
• Are capable of producing casings that are 100% natural
• Are able to dig deep into the soil (up to inches to be exact) allowing a more loosened and aerated soil
• Consume half or even as much as their body mass daily, its weight being from 0.5 to 1 gram
• When the food supply stops, the worm colony will reduce to eggs in the soil, which can remain fertile for years waiting for the food to come back.