Published by City Farmer, Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture
Worm Words
Glossary For Teachers
From The Compost Module
Copyright (C) 1991
- Aeration
- getting oxygen into the compost by mixing or turning.
- Aerobic
- requires oxygen. Aerobic conditions in a compost bin are desirable. Aerobic
organisms use oxygen to carry out their life functions. Because oxygen is
present, the bin will not smell.
- Anaerobic
- does not require oxygen. Under anaerobic conditions, a compost bin will
smell. Anaerobic organisms can grow without the presence of oxygen.
- Bedding
- materials like newspaper and leaves used as an organic medium for worm
composting.
- Browns
- carbon rich compostable materials. Usually dry as well.
- Cocoon
- worm eggs or egg cases, they can carry from 2 to 20 worms.
- Compost
- the end result of the composting process or the process itself. Compost is a
dark, rich soil conditioner known as humus which has been created through the
biological reduction of organic material.
- Composter
- container, usually a bin or box used for composting.
- Compost Tea
- water in which finished compost has been 'steeped' to concoct a liquid
fertilizer for plants.
- Compostable Materials
- organic materials that will break down in a compost bin.
- (Compost) Critters
- micro and macroorganisms that live in the soil and help break down organic
matter.
- Composting
- the biochemical process which occurs when organic matter is broken down by
decomposer organisms into a nutrient rich soil conditioner called humus.
- Decay
- to rot, break down or decompose.
- Decomposition
- the process of breaking down organic matter into its basic elements
including nutrients needed for plant growth. Decomposition occurs in nature and
in controlled environments like compost bins.
- Ecosystem
- a mutually dependent system consisting of plant, animal life and inorganic
matter.
- Fertilizer
- a substance (natural or man-made) used to enrich the soil and to provide
food for plants.
- Food Scraps
- in the Compost Module, food scraps generally refer to uncooked fruit and
vegetable scraps or any compostable food materials.
- Greens
- nitrogen rich compost materials (usually wet).
- Heap
- an unenclosed compost pile.
- Humus
- finished compost, formed through the break down of plants and animal matter.
Humus retains and slowly releases nutrients to plants.
- Leachate
- liquid that has been generated by solid waste decomposition and which has
extracted, dissolved or suspended materials in it. The leachate from a compost
bin or worm bin is full of nutrients and is an excellent liquid fertilizer.
- Leaf Mold
- decomposed or mostly decomposed leaves.
- Macroorganisms
- organisms that are visible to the eye.
- Microorganisms
- organisms that cannot be seen without magnification.
- Mulch
- a layer of partially decomposed plant materials placed on top of garden beds
and around plants and shrubs.
- Organic Matter
- any organic material that is or once was living or was once produced by a
living organism.
- Overload
- to put too much food into a worm bin that can be processed aerobically.
- Red Worm
- a variety of earthworm suitable for vermicomposting. The Red Wiggler is a
red worm.
- Rodent Resistant
- compost bins designed or modified in such a way as to deter pests from
making a home in the bin.
- Screening
- to sift out uncomposted matter from humus to create a fine compost.
- Soil
- tiny rocks, sand, silt, clay plus decomposers plus organic matter.
- Soil Conditioner
- something that enriches the physical condition of soil and increases its
organic content.
- Vermicompost
- to carry out composting with worms or the end product from composting with
worms. Vermicompost contains worm castings, broken down organic matter, bedding,
worm cocoons, worms and other organisms.
- Vermicomposter
- a worm bin or person who composts with worms.
- Vermicomposting
- composting with worms.
- Vermiculture
- worm farming or raising earthworms.
- Worm Bin
- a container especially prepared for worms to live in and eat organic
garbage. A vermicomposting system.
- Worm Castings
- worm manure or worm 'poop'
- Wet Garbage
- usually refers to food scraps, grass clippings and garden waste; compostable, organic materials.
Composting With Red Wiggler Worms
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