How to Breed Composting Worms
Worms are used to recycle organic wastes and other decayed food materials. The organisms feed on the waste materials and pass it to the soil again. Worm compost is a powerful fertilizer ideal for the growth of plants. Worm castings are rich in minerals and nutrients. Worms reproduce rapidly when provided with the optimal living conditions. By growing worms at the expense of our garbage, we are serving nature as well. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Worm bin
- Shredded paper
- Shredded cardboard
- Vegetable waste
- Organic material
- Red worms
Instructions
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1
Build a container to breed the worms. A wooden container is ideal. Wash the container and drill 1-inch holes into the box for drainage. Keep the bin in a cool, dark environment, preferably near the kitchen. Cover the container with a sheet in warm climates.
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2
Prepare bedding for the worms. Use shredded paper and wet cardboard to make the bedding. Add kitchen wastes (vegetables only, not meat) and other materials such as decayed plants, leaves, sawdust, soil and egg shells. Keep the bedding damp.
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3
Obtain red worms from a plant store. Red worms breed fast. Ideally, the quantity of worms should be about double the amount of waste disposed per day.
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Put the worms in the bedding and add more vegetable and organic scraps from time to time. Maintain moisture. Once the food materials have been diminished, you will see large quantities of compost.
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5
Stop adding food for the next two weeks. Withholding food encourages the worms to breed.
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Move all material to one side of the container. Add vegetables and organic scraps to the other side. Wait for the worms to move to the other side for food. Usually it will take a few weeks.
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7
Unload the compost onto a plastic sheet. Make several piles of compost on the sheet. Keep it in the open light. Wait for the worms to migrate to the bottom region of the piles. This will take a few minutes. Transfer the top layer to your garden.
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Take the bottom layer of worms and add them back to your compost bin. Add new food materials and repeat the process.
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Tips & Warnings
Use clear containers so you can see what is happening with your compost. Add a variety of food materials in small-sized scraps for fastest assimilation.
Do not expose worms to high temperatures. Do not feed dairy products, meat and oily foods. Wear gloves while handling the worms.
