organic matter such as leaves, straw and old newspapers
Step1
Purchase about 100 Red Wigglers worms for breeder stock. These are top feeders and won't burrow in the soil like garden worms.
Step2
Find a watertight container - an old bathtub, a metal drum cut in half or a plastic storage container.
Step3
Fill the watertight container with soil (4 to 8 inches deep), depending on the container's size.
Step4
Mix in an inch or so of organic matter, such as leaves or rotten straw.
Step5
Mix 1 lb. cornmeal and 1/2 lb. vegetable shortening into the top 2 to 3 inches of soil.
Step6
Add worms.
Step7
Cover the tub with damp burlap or board planks.
Step8
Add another dose of the cornmeal/shortening mixture in one month and then every two weeks. Add about 1 qt. of water while feeding.
Step9
Keep the worm bed cool and moist in the summer; it's best to place it in the shade.
Tips & Warnings
A tub 2 feet in diameter and 10 inches deep will give you about 3000 to 5000 worms in a year. When you harvest for bait, be sure to leave some worms for breeding stock.
on 4/16/2007
You can feed them citrus scraps. Do so sparingly, and balance with a base, like egg shells or ash. No meats, but paper and veggie scraps are fine.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 4/16/2007 You can feed them citrus scraps. Do so sparingly, and balance with a base, like egg shells or ash. No meats, but paper and veggie scraps are fine.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 You can not feed onions or citrus scraps to the worms.