Earthworms are useful in organic waste recycling. If a large number of adult worms (200 to 300) are introduced into one square meter of a 20 cm-deep compost substrate, covered with fine material and optimum conditions provided, mature vermicompost can be produced within as little as 60 days. Vermicomposts have excellent chemical and physical properties that compare favorably to traditional composts. Furthermore, the diversity among epigeic earthworms enables them to be utilized across a wide range of environments and in processing many different organic materials. Earthworms transform wastes into valuable products and a clever resource manager can discover many advantages through this process. Vermicomposts are best applied to higher-value crops as a source of plant nutrients. The material is also excellent as a major ingredient of potting mixtures and to raise seedlings for transplanting. After vermicomposting, the worms may also be recovered for use as fishing bait or feed for poultry and fish.