Editing Permaculture (section)

=== Compost production ===

[[File:Worm.bin.jpg|thumb|Healthy population of [[red wiggler]]s in a vermicomposting bin]]

[[Vermicompost]]ing is a common practice in permaculture. The practice involves using [[earthworm]]s, such as [[red wiggler]]s, to break down [[Green waste|green]] and [[brown waste]]. The worms produce worm castings, which can be used to [[Organic fertilizer|organically fertilize]] the garden. Worms are also introduced to garden beds, helping to [[Soil aeration|aerate the soil]] and improve [[Permeability of soils|water retention]]. Worms may multiply quickly if provided conditions are ideal.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Beyers |first1=R |last2=MacLean |first2=S |title=Developing an educational curriculum for organic farming and permaculture in theDistrict of Santa Fe |url=https://www.mcgill.ca/pfss/files/pfss/developing_an_educational_curriculum_for.pdf |journal=La Foundación Héctor Gallego |pages=16 |quote=All the permaculture farms we visited had large, fully-functioning vermicompost which produced fertilizer that was naturally rich in nutrients and acid that was used as a substance for fumigation instead of synthetic based substances.}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Reza |first=Shamim |date=24 March 2016 |title=Vermicomposting – A Great Way to Turn the Burdens into Resources |url=https://www.permaculturenews.org/2016/03/24/vermicomposting-a-great-way-to-turn-the-burdens-into-resources/ |publisher=Permaculture Research Institute}}</ref> For example, a permaculture farm in [[Cuba]] began with 9 [[tiger worm]]s in 2001 and 15 years later had a population of over 500,000.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=de la Vega |first=Anna |date=2016 |title=Vermicomposting: The Future of Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Waste Management |url=https://www.pcc.edu/sustainability/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/10/DeLaVega_VermicompostChurchillReport2016Final.pdf |journal=Winston Churchill Report |pages=29–31}}</ref> The worm castings are particularly useful as part of a seed starting mix and regular fertilizer. Worm castings are reportedly more successful than conventional compost for seed starting.<ref name=":12" />

[[Sewage]] or [[Blackwater (waste)|blackwater]] contains [[human waste|human or animal waste]]. It can be [[compost]]ed, producing [[biogas]] and manure. Human waste can be sourced from a [[composting toilet]], [[outhouse]] or dry bog (rather than a plumbed toilet).<ref name="Tilley Ulrich 2014">{{cite book |last1=Tilley |first1=E. |last2=Ulrich |first2=L. |last3=Lüthi |first3=C. |last4=Reymond |first4=Ph. |last5=Zurbrügg |first5=C. |title=Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies |edition=2nd Revised  |year=2014 |publisher=Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) |location=Duebendorf, Switzerland |isbn=978-3-906484-57-0 |page=10 |url=http://www.eawag.ch/en/department/sandec/publications/compendium/}}</ref> <!-- This can be surrounded by trees, which in turn can be [[Coppicing|coppiced]] for wood fuel.-->