How to Care for Earthworms
Earthworms are an essential part of our plant and fertilization system. They aerate and fertilize soil to help plants grow and thrive. Earthworms can also be used in compost bins to help create compost for fertilizer. With proper care, you can maintain your own earthworm colony to use in your gardens, as well as to develop your own compost, saving you money and making better use of your own renewable resources.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Covered bin with drainage holes or compost pile
- Newspaper or peat moss soil
- Water
- Food scraps, grass, and leaves
Instructions
-
-
1
Create the habitat for your earthworms by filling your bin with shredded newspaper or peat moss. Add enough water to moisten the soil without oversaturating it.
-
2
Add your earthworms to the bin. Cover the bin, or place it in a dark room.
-
-
3
Feed the earthworms approximately one pound of scraps for every pound of worms every two days. You can feed them many of the scraps from your kitchen, including fruit, cornmeal, orange vegetables and coffee grounds. Do not feed your earthworms meat, citrus fruits, or anything with a high acid content. Foods high in sodium should also be avoided.
-
4
Water the soil regularly to maintain a damp consistency. Do not overwater the soil, but use care not to let it dry out.
-
5
Change the bedding in your earthworm bin every three months. If your worms are in a compost pile, replace approximately half of the content twice a year.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Keep your earthworm habitat at a consistent temperature between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for them to thrive.
Avoid citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic and onions when feeding your earthworms. Do not feed your earthworms anything with a high salt content or high vinegar content, as they can be toxic in large amounts.
