A Care Guide
- What is a Worm Farm?
A worm farm, also known as a vermicomposting system, is a simple and efficient way to recycle kitchen scraps and organic waste. By using worms, you can transform these materials into valuable worm castings (rich plant food) and worm tea (liquid fertilizer) that benefit your garden.
2. Setting Up Your Worm Farm
Follow these steps to set up your worm farm
Choose Your Container – Purchase a worm farm from your local hardware store or council office. You can also create your own using a container with a lid.
Create Bedding – Prepare the bedding by tearing up cardboard, strips of newspaper, straw, or leaves. This provides a comfortable environment for the worms.
Add Worms – Purchase compost worms (such as red wigglers or tiger worms) from a supplier. These worms are specifically suited for vermicomposting.
Start Slow – Initially, avoid overfeeding your worms. Gradually introduce food scraps to allow them to adjust.
Cover the Worm Bed – Place a cover (such as damp hessian or an old carpet) over the worm bed to keep it dark and moist.
Sprinkle Lime – Every couple of weeks, sprinkle some lime to prevent acidic conditions.
3. What Do Worms Eat?
Worms are voracious eaters, but it’s essential to feed them the right foods
Vegetable Scraps: Leftover vegetable scraps, fruit peelings, and coffee grounds.
Tea Leaves and Bags – These are excellent additions.
Newspapers and Egg Cartons – Tear them up and add them to the worm farm.
Crushed Egg Shells – These help balance the pH.
Remember to sprinkle a handful of soil from your garden each time you add food. The grit in the soil aids in breaking down fresh waste.
4. Maintaining A Healthy Wormfarm
Worm farming, also known as vermicomposting or vermiculture, involves using specific worm species (not garden earthworms) to transform food waste into nutrient-rich castings (vermicast). These castings resemble earth and contain no visible food scraps. They can be used as top dressing for plants or mixed with potting soil. Additionally, worm farming produces a nutrient-rich liquid that can be diluted and used as a liquid fertilizer for plants.
To succeed in worm farming
Position the worm farm in a shady spot, whether in the garden, on a balcony, or even in a garage.
Add bedding material, such as mature compost, coir, or composted horse/cow manure, to provide the worms with their initial food source.
Gradually introduce food scraps, covering them with damp newspaper or hessian. As the worm population grows, you can add more scraps.
Harvest castings by exposing the desired layer to sunlight, encouraging worms to move deeper into the farm.
Remember that worms love fruit (non-acidic), vegetables, damp paper, eggshells, and more. Avoid citrus, uncooked onion, garlic, and high-protein foods.
Why should you invest in worm farming?
Steady Supply of Compost
Worms convert organic matter into nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Recycling household waste in a worm farm prevents methane release in landfills.
Remember, worm farming is not only practical but also fun for the whole family. Get everyone involved in nurturing the environment and making your home more sustainable.
