Vermicompost is another effective organic manure other than Panchagavya - an organic manure developed from Cow dung.Vermicompost is prepared by the actions of Earthworms.Earthworms are known as Friends of Farmer.Breakdown of Organic material happens due to actions of Earthworms and micro organisms which leads to a high fertile soil. This action happens in nature continuously and that is the way of nature to replenish the soil fertility.Repeating same cycle in our garden, we can develop an effective organic manure from Earthworms which is known as Vermicomposting.
Preparation
Select a container or basket in suitable size as per your compost requirement.The first thing you should concentrate is the preparation of Earthworm Bed.Create some small holes at the bottom of container/basket for aeration.Then fill a mixture of coconut fiber and newspaper strips up to some height.Moist it well.This will be your Earthworm bed.Place your earthworms on the top of the bed.Soon they will go inside the bed.Then add a layer of food waste and cover it with shredded newspaper.spray water upon it.You have successfully completed the preparation of your vermicompost container.Soon the earthworms start their job.They will start to eat the food wastes and leave composted soil.You can add new layers of organic wastes above the bed.Don't forget to add some layers of coconut fibers in between the waste layers.You can add other organic materials like cow dung,leaves etc to the vermicompost container.Avoid adding Non-veg items.Place the container in a well protected shaded area.
Taking compost out of container
You should be very careful not to damage earthworm bed while using the compost in the container.Take the compost out from top slowly.This will allow earthworms to go under the bed and remain safe there.
Applying Vermicompost.
You can either directly apply it to the soil or by adding it with water.If you directly apply it to the soil.then ensure that the soil is moisture and no other chemical fertilizer is added to it.Vermicompost contain lots of micro organisms.They will work very well in moisture condition.Addition of chemicals kill the micro organisms.
If you use vermicompost with water,you can either prepare vermiwash or Vermicompost tea.Vermiwash is prepared by allowing water to pass through the vermicompost container and collecting it.It should be diluted by adding ten times of pure water in it.This vermiwash is a very good foliar spray.Vermicompost tea is prepared from high quality worm casts.Cover some worm casts with a piece of cloth and put it in a bucket containing pure water.Add some yeast to the water to enhance the growth of micro organisms.Put the bucket in a shaded area for two days and squeeze the worm cast after two days. The resulting tea contain lots of micro organisms and nutrients which is best for plants.It cab be either sprayed on plants as foliar spray or directly applied to the soil.
In India,Government agencies are giving lots of subsidies for building Vermicompost pits and structures.If you are planning for developing a farm,then Vermicompost preparation is an essential part of it.
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