How to Have a Worm Farm
Whether you want to dispose of compost or raise worms for fishing or fertilizer, a worm farm is a great at-home project. Red wigglers are the most common type of worm in composting worm farms. Since worms reproduce quickly and require little care, making a worm farm provides an easy method of breaking down biodegradable organic waste. Additionally, the urine you collect from a worm farm bed is good fertilizer for several plants and you can use it in your garden. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Drill or cut holes in the bottom of a box, dresser, freezer or barrel that is at between 10 and 16 inches deep. The holes provide drainage and ventilation and should not be larger then 1/4-inch to keep out rodents.
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Set the bin in a location that is not in direct sunlight or prone to freezing. A covered shed works well, since you can place them outside during the warm months and bring them inside during cold months.
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Cover the bottom of the bed with shredded newspaper. Dampen the newspaper with a spray bottle. Add mulch, compost, leaves, straw or cardboard on top of the newspaper.
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Place between 1/2 and 1 lb. of worms on top of the worm bed. Generally, red worms, or compost worms, adapt well to a worm bed. You can buy them from an existing worm farm or bait shop in your area.
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Place a piece of carpet with the fibers turned down on top of the bedding. Wet the back side of the carpet often to keep the worms' bedding moist.
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Feed your worms by placing fruit and vegetable cuttings on top of the compost. Allow them to set for a couple of weeks. Keep feeding your worms scraps or compost.
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Tips & Warnings
Worms begin reproducing at 4 to 6 weeks old when the soil is at the proper pH and the temperature is favorable. They are small and white when they hatch. According to the Worm Farming Secrets website, your worm population can double in two to three months time. Create a farm as small or large as you would like by building additional worm beds and transferring the worms.
References
- Science Buddies: Get Rid of Those Leftovers: How Much Organic Waste Can Composting Worms Eat?
- University of Illinois Extension: Worm Composting
- Apartment Therapy: How to: Start a Worm Farm
- Worm Farming: How do Worms Reproduce and What is their Lifecycle?
- Worm Farming Secrets; Composting Worm Population Growth Rate; The Wormery; March 3, 2009
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
