how do i keep my worm farm healthy

How do you sustain a worm farm?

Ensure your worm bin has good drainage.Keep your worm bin moist, but not wet.Don't overfeed your worms.Every time you feed your worms, add bedding.Ensure your worm bin has good airflow.Secure the airholes of your worm bin.Worms love coffee grounds.Add eggshells to your worm bin.More items...•

How often should I clean my worm farm?

3:069:13How often do you have to clean a Worm Farm? And more ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce every four months you might want to take the clean the whole worm farm.MoreOnce every four months you might want to take the clean the whole worm farm.

What should a healthy worm farm look like?

You will need to fill your worm farm about three quarters full with worm bedding for the worms to live in. Items such as potting mix, soil, hay, compost, dead leaves, pet bedding, coconut fiber or shredded cardboard or paper can be used as the bedding. The bedding needs to be porous and moist.

What is the best food for a worm farm?

The Best Worm Foods for Your SoilFruit peels (not citrus)Melon rinds.Carrots.Coffee grounds.Teabags (check if biodegradable)Bread.Cereal (unsweetened)Pasta (plain)More items...•

How do I know if my worm bin is healthy?

You can tell that your compost worms are happy and healthy by looking out for three signs:They reproduce. Worms can easily double their population every 90 days, given the right environment. ... They produce compost. Worms need to eat to produce worm castings. ... The compost does not stink.

Should I stir my worm bin?

So in order to keep a compost bin healthy, you need to mix and turn your compost to aerate it and allow oxygen to reach down the deep unreachable places. The aeration not only provides oxygen for the good bacteria, but it also kills off the anaerobic bacteria since they can't survive with oxygen.

What should you not put in a worm farm?

Items you cannot compost in a worm bin: Lemon, lime, orange or other citrus peels and juice (in excess this will make the soil too acidic) Onions and garlic (a good rule of thumb is if it makes you smell, it makes your worm bin smell) Meat, fats, grease, bones or oils (no butter, lard, stocks, soups, etc)

Do worms eat eggshells?

eggshells - worms simply can't eat them. They will still be there when you remove the worm castings, and you'll have eggshells in the garden. Eggshells are good for the garden, so if you crush them up, and put them in the worm farm, they'll end up adding calcium to your soil.

Do worms like banana peels?

Bananas are a great and inexpensive snack for both us and our worms. Those peels are desirable to compost worms no matter what shape they're in. They'll make short work of what otherwise would have taken up space in your trash.

What foods should you avoid feeding to your worms?

What To Not Feed WormsMeats, bones, fat and anything oily or greasy.Dairy products including butter, sour cream, milk, whole eggs (egg shells are ok) and cheese.Canned sauces, peanut butter and other processed food.Citrus foods like lemons, limes and oranges.Onions and garlic.Spicy foods such as hot peppers.More items...•

What are worms favorite food?

Composting worms will absolutely love eating any members of the cucurbitaceae plant family like pumpkins, squash, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, etc. These fruits break down very quickly, are high in sugar, and lack the sinewy nature of plants like broccoli, so worms are quick to swarm them in your worm bin.

What should you not feed earthworms?

Avoid feeding the worms large quantities of meat, citrus, onions and dairy foods. Some processed food also contains preservatives, which discourage the worms from eating it. These foods won't harm your worms, but they will avoid them and those scraps will break down and rot in the bin.

How often should you change worm bedding?

every 7 to 10 daysAfter worms are added, bedding should be kept moist but not soggy and the top 6 to 8 inches turned every 7 to 10 days to keep it loose. About every 6 to 9 months the old bedding should be replaced with properly prepared new bedding. To change bedding, remove the top 5 or 6 inches (where most of the worms are).

Is mold okay in my worm bin?

The molds that form on most vegetables are usually OK, but the molds on some fruit and bread can be problematic. If you're in doubt, try a small amount first and see if the worms are bothered by it. If not, then it's probably OK to use it, otherwise, you should put them into your backyard bin instead.

Should I flush my worm farm?

Flush the worm farm with at least five liters of water and make sure you leave it in a cool place under cover with the tap open and a container under it. Putting a soaked newspaper on top of your Tumbleweed Worm Blanket will help prevent their bedding from drying out.

How often do you water worm bins?

Rule #3: Target watering 1-2 times per week. Watering daily or multiple times per week is not normally required. In many cases you can water every week or so - it depends on temperature, humidity, and other factors so monitor the bin and if you see it getting dry give it a good misting or spray.

What maintenance do you need for a worm farm?

Obviously the main maintenance you need to keep up with for your worm farm, is to keep feeding your worms.

How do you know if you have a happy, healthy worm farm?

If you have little to no smell, have a large number of worms, your organic waste is being broken down efficiently, you’re getting good quality castings and the worm tea is the colour of strong tea with no smell then you’re probably doing everything right.

Why do worms escape worm farms?

Usually the only reason your worms will try to escape your worm farm, is because the conditions in the farm are less than ideal, and your worms are trying to make their way to somewhere that has better living conditions .

Why does my worm farm smell?

A healthy, happy and productive worm farm shouldn’t smell. If your worm farm has become anaerobic with rotting food or sour with high acidity levels, then you will get a smell from it. Depending on how bad it has got you may need to either add more fibrous material to balance out the acidity, or ‘refurbish’ your worm farm with new materials and then add your worms back in.

How to balance acidity in worm farm?

If you’ve fed your worms more acidic foods, like tomatoes, kiwifruit or even citrus that you put in before reading the tips on feeding your worms, you can balance the acidity of your worm farm out by adding in the following materials: Agricultural Lime granules. Egg shells.

What happens if worm farm is too dry?

On the other hand, if your farm is too dry, you may end up with ants in the farm.

How to keep ants out of worm farm?

Maintaining the right moisture levels will help to deter ants from making their permanent home in your worm farm. There are extra guests that are useful for your worm farm though, such as slaters and maggots, so don’t stress too much about getting rid of these cohabitants.

What to feed worms?

1. Feed your worms fruit and vegetable scraps. Worms will enjoy a variety of fruits and veggies, like bananas, pumpkin, apples, lettuces, eggplant, berries, squash, and greens. However, you should avoid feeding citrus fruits, including oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruits, to your worms.

What to feed worms before feeding them?

Just make sure the eggshells are free of fats, like cooking oil or butter, before feeding them to your worms. Include hair, dust, wood ash, and sawdust. Pet and human hair, in addition to dust, like that which collects in a vacuum cleaner, can also be added to the worm bin.

How to feed worms after their last meal?

Feed your worms once their last meal is nearly gone. There isn’t a set feeding schedule for worms, so you’ll need to pay attention to how much they eat and how quickly. Check the worm bin each day and figure out how many days it takes them to eat the food you provide. When nearly all of the food is gone, give your worms more food. However, if there is food remaining in the bin and the worms aren’t eating it, avoid adding more food until the previous scraps are gone.

What to put in worm bin?

Add eggshells and coffee grounds to the worm bin. Coffee grounds are a great addition to a worm bin as they are full of nitrogen and have a neutral pH. Egg shells are also quite beneficial as they provide calcium for your worms.

How to feed worms with burlap?

Once your food or scraps are ready to be added to the worm bin, remove the newspaper or burlap covering. Place the food on the feeding tray or in the bin, but avoid burying it in the worm castings. Try to place the food in a different area each time you feed your worms.

How to keep fruit flies out of food?

Cover the food with shredded newspaper. Shredded newspaper, or burlap, should cover the food at all times. It keeps the bin dark and moist, which discourages fruit flies. Always replace the covering after feeding your worms, and add new materials if the top layer starts to break down or become mushy.

What do worms eat?

Worms will eat many things, including fruits, vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds, leaves, grass clippings, paper, and cardboard ! However, there are also some foods you should avoid feeding your worms, like meat, grains, and dairy products.

What is Worm Farming?

Worm farming, or vermicomposting, is the process of raising worms to create a natural, nutrient-rich compost that can be used on your garden or plant at home. They can turn just about any sort of organic waste into the world’s most nutrient-rich fertilizer called worm castings (also referred to as worm poo).

Best Worms For Composting

There are at least seven species of earthworms that are suitable for worm farming. These are part of the epigean family of earthworms that are primarily found in the top layers of soil. Their role in nature is to recycle all of the organic matter that ends up on the forest floor, which makes them perfect for worm farming.

Helpful Tips for Starting a Worm Farm

Once you have everything you need to start worm farming, there are a few guidelines that will help ensure your worms stay healthy and reproduce.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Our worm farming for beginners guide to help get you started on your way to making your own high quality, organic fertilizer out of your old food scraps. You’ll be doing the planet a huge favor, all whilst reaping the benefits of having a garden full of strong, healthy plants and a lower carbon footprint.

What Red Wiggler Worms Need to Survive?

Red wigglers are surface feeders that spend most of their time hidden in the litter or under some other cover at the soil surface, nibbling away at the decaying matter.

What does it mean when worms leave a compost?

If you see that worms have left a specific item after a few days and have eaten the rest, it means that they are not fond of that particular food. You may want to avoid it next time.

How to Feed Nightcrawlers?

Earthworms are the best friend of gardeners and homesteaders who want nutrient-rich, aerated soil! Nightcrawlers love to dig deep in your garden – and they devour decaying leaves and organic matter – leaving behind worm castings which your garden soil loves! Nightcrawlers also act like miniature tillers – their underground garden tunnels make it easy for oxygen and moisture to access your garden’s soil. Talk about a helpful farmhand!

What are earthworms?

You have probably heard that earthworms (nightcrawlers) and red wiggler worms are soil magicians, able to enrich the soil and create extra quality compost, respectively.

Why do nightcrawlers leave leaves on the ground?

Leaving the autumn leaves on the ground will also help the nightcrawlers have a steady food supply during the cooler months.

What do red wigglers need?

In short, red wigglers need some shelter in the form of surface cover or mulch, food, and substrate – special bedding that is part shredded paper, part worm castings, or humus.

How much weight do wiggler worms eat?

The good news is that when wiggler worms like their food, they have helluva appetites, eating up to half their weight in a day!

How to keep worms in a worm bin?

Lift up the bedding and underlying material to bring air into the system. Keep your worm bin in an environment with a fairly constant temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold. Never keep your worm bin in an area that receives direct sun exposure, or in an area that will become colder than 5 degrees Celcius.

How to get worms to eat fruit and veggie waste?

Resist the urge to add water, even if the bin is looking dry. Instead, try running your fruit and veggie waste through a food processor, breaking it down and making it available more quickly to the worms and other micro-organisms. Remember, for best results, feed your worms according to All Things Organic's One Spot Rule.

What is ATO worm treat?

All Things Organic is developing a new product called Vermi-Booster/ATO Worm Treat, which is an additive food supplement for your worms and worm composting environment. We are in the process of field-testing this new product to ensure it yields maximum results. Stay tuned, and visit us often to learn more about this exciting new product, which will greatly improve productivity in your worm bin.

How to get oxygen into worm compost?

You should add lots of dry, shredded paper, lifting it into your worm compost to bring additional oxygen into your system. Lift up the dry shredded paper or bedding every few weeks and gently dig to the bottom of the tray, taking care not to disrupt the worms too much. If the material at the bottom of your tray or bin looks wet and smells a little, ...

What are white worms?

Potworms (Enchytraeidae) or white worms are white, threadlike worms which many people frequently mistake for baby redworms. Don't be fooled! Baby red wigglers are red and look exactly like their parents. Potworms thrive in moist areas, so the wetter your worm bin, the more white worms you will have.

What are the ingredients in worm compost?

Some worm composters add amendments to their bins, which contain lime, oyster shells, rock powder and egg shells . These amendments require additional knowledge and understanding of how additive ingredients mix into the worm bin environment; too much of one element can send your bin out of balance.

What is the only predator you're likely to see in your worm bin?

Generally reddish, they move fast and are the only worm predator you're ever likely to ever see in your bin. If you see one, remove it carefully by hand. Careful - they pinch! Bacteria are by far the most numerous organisms in your bin, along with molds and fungi.

How to keep worms long term?

Keeping Worms Long Term: Prepare Bedding. If you plan to keep your worms and raise more, put them in a prepared bed or compost heap as soon as possible. For beds, don't feed for for few days and keep a light over them to prevent crawling.

How to care for earthworms?

Caring for your earthworms 1 Inspect Your Worms:#N#As soon as you receive you worms, you should inspect them right away. (Please read our shipping information and delivery guarantee carefully.) 2 Protect Your Worms From the Elements:#N#Worms can live for several weeks in the breathable cups, but protection from heat and freezing temperatures, proper moisture, and adequate oxygen are essential for the life of your worms. 3 Transfer Your Worms A.S.A.P:#N#Worms shipped in breathable bags should be transferred into another container with adequate bedding or into your#N#compost bin as soon as possible. The bags are for shipping and very short term storage. The worms will dry out if left in#N#the bags they are shipped in. 4 Perfect Temperature For Your Worms: 50-70:#N# #N#Keep you worms out of the sun and heat; protect from freezing#N##N#.#N##N#They will survive temperatures 33 to 90, ideal being 50 -#N#70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if the bedding freezes or becomes too hot, your worms will die, become sick, or crawl.

What happens if worm bedding freezes?

However, if the bedding freezes or becomes too hot, your worms will die, become sick, or crawl. Worm Bedding: Moist But Not Wet: Your worms are shipped in moist peat moss inside special cups that have breathable air holes in the lid or in breathable. bags.

How to test for moisture in peat moss?

To test for correct moisture, squeeze a handful of peat moss (without worms!). You should hear a squishy sound. with only a drop or so of moisture squeezing out. If it is too dry, spray lightly with chlorine free water. Allow for fresh air.

How long can worms stay in a bag?

Worms shouldn't be left in the bags for more than 4-5 days (including the shipping time). You can spray the outside of the. bag to prevent drying out. Transfer to a suitable container and bedding for long term holding.

What temperature do worms need to survive?

Perfect Temperature For Your Worms: 50-70:  . Keep you worms out of the sun and heat; protect from freezing. . . . They will survive temperatures 33 to 90, ideal being 50 -. 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if the bedding freezes or becomes too hot, your worms will die, become sick, or crawl.

How long do earthworms live?

(Please read our shipping information and delivery guarantee carefully.) Worms can live for several weeks in the breathable cups, but protection from heat and freezing temperatures, proper moisture, ...

How to save worms?

If you notice that some your worms are dead, act quickly to save the remaining worms with these steps: 1 Move worms to a new, clean bin. Even if you don’t have another designated worm bin, clean and use whatever container you have on hand. In the future, keep another bin around in case of emergency. 2 Replace bedding with something neutral like shredded newspaper, clean leached peat, or something you know your worms have liked in the past. 3 Clean and check your old bin for any of the trouble signs below before returning your worms to the bin.

How to keep worms out of a worm bin?

For an outdoor worm bin, keep a lid or cover closed, especially during daylight hours. Fresh Air. Worms need some fresh air! Make sure your bin has good holes for drainage and aeration and that the contents of your bin are not so compacted that they restrict air flow. Food.

How to keep worms in a dark basement?

Too much light can be fatal. Keeping your worm bin in a dark basement or garage is ideal to maintain healthy light levels — or keep the bin lid on. For an outdoor worm bin, keep a lid or cover closed, especially during daylight hours. Fresh Air.

What to do if worms are dead?

What to Do: If you notice that some your worms are dead, act quickly to save the remaining worms with these steps: Move worms to a new, clean bin. Even if you don’t have another designated worm bin, clean and use whatever container you have on hand. In the future, keep another bin around in case of emergency.

What is the best water for worms?

Limestone is also a handy ingredient for balancing pH. Water. Be certain you are using dechlorinated water for your worm bin. City drinking water from your tap often contains chlorine, which can be harmful to your worms.

What to replace bedding with for worms?

Replace bedding with something neutral like shredded newspaper, clean leached peat, or something you know your worms have liked in the past.

How to keep worms from crowded?

Space. Worms like a nice full bin of bedding and food scraps, but even they can feel crowded. Make sure your bin isn’t overly full of food, bedding, or even worms. Harvest worms and move them to a new home when you too many new hatchlings to make sure they don’t feel crowded out.