How To Keep Worms

Worm composting is using worms to transform table scraps and kitchen leavings to a valuable soil amendment called vericompost or castings or vericast.

Some folks keep chickens while there are others who prefer livestock but if you want to help the soil by restoring it's nutrients then you should definitely build a worm farm, as opposed of buying one. The nice thing about making a worm farm is that it does not cost cost very much. The only things you'll really need are three to four stackable bins or plastic bins, wood or some other light and water resistant material, some worms, and some insect screen for the bottom, ripped up newsprint, yard earth or potting compost, water and good scraps.

Once you've collected these materials it's time for you to build the new worm farm by first putting some holes on the lid and some on the bottom too. The number of holes in the lid will depend on the size of the box or bin but just remember that the holes should be evenly spaced to allow oxygen to enter and excess water, as well as worm waste, to drain out. The insect screen should be securely placed at the bottom so the worms do not fall out.

Now that you've finished on the outside you now prepare the interior by putting in some shredded newspaper. It is best to put three quarters of it in and dampen it with water before you put in the garden soil or potting mix in the grit this is just to make sure that the worms eat the scraps you give them. When everything is prepared this is the time to show the worms to their new abode. Some people might put in 1000 of these little creatures and as long as they're happy they will reproduce and you'll probably lose all count of how many are in there.

But what about the other bins? Well, the last step is to place the extras containers atop the first one. 

If you know what worms like to eat a few examples are coffee grounds or tea leaves, crushed egg shells, fruit peel, hair clippings, spoiled cookies and cakes, wood dust, plate scrapings, soaked cardboard, vacuum dust and vegetable waste. So in other words, worms love leftovers but don’t put too much since you CAN overfeed them. the best way to determine how many is sufficient would be to only give them a little bit at first and then observe how long it takes form them to eat it before putting in another one. Given the large area, it would also be thoughtful to put their food in different spots each time.

Watch your worms regularly so you can be sure that the newspaper does not dry out and if it needs changed make sure you replace it.

As with all things in nature, poop will appear at the bottom of the box however this particular waste product is also called vermicast and this is what helps plants grow. The only way to get to itwithout letting the worms out is to open the container and just set it under direct sunlight for a bit. worms hate sunlight so they'll look for cover and you'll have an easy time to grab the vermicast and shut the lid

Your worm farm is a helpful tool growing flowers, fruits or even veggies and all it takes is some willpower to get the assistance of these small beasts.