Comments on: Hot Composting vs Vermicomposting

By: Compost Guy

Compost Guy — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 13:53:06 +0000

Hi Dave – Teaming with Microbes is a great book. In the case of vermicomposting it is definitely a combination of beneficial microbes and compounds produced via the process. There are likely some parallels with regular composting, but the end result (including biology and compounds) is quite distinct. In a sense it is like a “concentrated” compost – a small amount goes a long way. All of this is still a bit of a mystery (although quite a bit of research has been done over the years). Both are very beneficial…they are just different. 🙂

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 08:20:30 +0000

Ok…so, no one has addressed, or asked about the difference between the two for the real “magic” of compost. As Eric in post #2 states- compost is not nutrient rich…maybe he needs to read Teaming with microbes The soil food web! The “REAL” magic of compost is the biology that ends up in your compost that then goes into your soil!! NOT THE COMPOUNDS in the compost!
SO…my question is…does vermicomposting create the same or similar biology, types, and quantities of all the different microbes that composting does???

By: Faith Rhodes

Faith Rhodes — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:05:33 +0000

I’m only 11 years old but I have been gardening sinse I have been about….. 5 years old. And your website is amazing!! I’m gonna start going on this for your really cool tips.

By: eric

eric — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:58:09 +0000

you should mention that hot composting generates compost, not nutrient rich fertilizer. compost generally adds great texture to your garden, but not much NPK. vermicomposting generates nutrient rich fertilizer which is high in NPK.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:42:08 +0000

You state that:

Hot composting can be achieved when materials in the pile have a C:N of between 20:1 and 40:1, but ideally it should be between 25:1 and 30:1.

Okay, so how does one acheive this ratio?