The SOIL FACTORY consists of three main modules: 1) The top module, through which the system is ventilated and supplied with raw material and bedding. It keeps out light and reduces odour inconveniences. A thermometer, a fly trap and a container for bedding is mounted on the inside. 2) The middle module, consisting of three tanks containing the worms, the raw material and the resulting product. 3) The bottom module, which collects excess fluid.
The composting process is initiated by putting approximately 1000 worms and some organic material into the upper tank of the middle module. When this tank is full, it is exchanged with the next empty tank in the column. The three tanks are all perforated in the bottom to allow excess water to pass through to the bottom module. This is done in such a way that the worms will also be able to move upwards in the system.
As the worms process the material, they will move to the top layers where there is access to fresh raw material. When the tanks are full, they should be allowed to rest for some time in order to complete microbial and worm processing and to allow the worm cocoons, which are placed in the deep layers, to be hatched.
After approximately 6 months, the material in the lowest tank is transformed into a black, soft substance mostly consisting of worm castings, a large part of which is humus.
Some of the material will be the product of bacterial consumption, and there will also be occasional residues, which have not been degraded. This substance can then be mixed with sand, peat, gravel etc. for ventilation and volume and in order to lower the concentration of nutrients. One has now produced good nutritious soil. The drained water in the bottom module is also highly nutritious for plants. |
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Soil Factory
