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A couple of worm farm questions

16 years ago

Hi Everyone,

I bought a worm farm a few months ago, in the first few weeks I noticed I was getting quite alot of worm wee however now there is not much at all. I'm assuming it is probably evaporating due to the high temps we have here in Mannum South Australia but am curious as to whether it could be something else. It also seems to be taking a long time for the second layer to become filled with castings, I started off with 2000 worms and the instructions stated that within 3 months the 2nd layer should be about full but it probably isn't even half. i'm probably just being impatient. Is there anything other than wormed dog poo that could kill the worms, as i have no real way of telling if my worms are multiplying, i have seen small eggs and small worms but to look at I cannot see an increase in numbers. Also are their more favourable foods for worms? mine seem to really love watermelon, but apples they take for ages to get through. i've also been using soaked paper to cover them with but am constantly having to put water over it to keep it moist, would a hessian bag be better and if so, where can i get one from. also is putting in excess food bad, in the end the worms will still eat it won't they? sorry for the big essay but my kids and i are obsessed with our worm farm.

regards Luke

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Comments (4)

tuppitoo
16 years ago
Hello Luke,
your experiences are the same as all worm farm owners that I have spoken to.It takes me nearly a year to get any where near a full tray of castings,so I just use chopped up vegies and fruit.soak 2 or 3 sheets of news paper and abt 1 ltre water over the top.I wouldnt use any sort of droppings and Ive stopped using eggshells.I forget abt the top tray and if I need castins I just take it from the 2nd tray after leaving it open for a while -the worms go away from the sun.Play the amt of water you need by ear and your weather conditions. This is my experience but may not suit all.
good luck chas
jo_rebath_cc
12 years ago
I became excited about starting my worm farm and was concerned about purchasing them online.Besides, I was anxious to get started.
So, I stopped at the bait store and purchased about 100 "Giant Red Worms." Pretty pricey and not sure if they're alright for a worm farm. I've since ordered 1000 Red Wigglers online.
My question: Is it alright to mix the two different types of worms or should I make a seperate worm farm?
Also: My worm farm bin is a 38 quart black plastic box. How many worms are best to start with?
Thanks for your help! Jo
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RosyHips
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Bait worms are different worms that I've read don't work for vermicomposting. It would seem they could coexist, but not sure.

To expedite casting, make your food into easier to consume bits. Freeze them to pop the cell walls first (thaw to room temp before offering). Cut into the smallest pieces possible. Instead, I actually blend mine into a slurry, no freezing. I can get a half tray of castings in about 3 weeks. I started with 1 pound of worms a little over a year ago and now have 4 full trays of worms.
grstamping
5 years ago
Luke, not sure you still have the worm farm, but I will respond for others out there. I had mine for nearly a year. Got my composting worms from a competent worm farmer and she answers my questions when something pops up.

I freeze all my worm food before I serve it. It breaks down the cells and make it nice and mushy for them when it thaws out. The worms eat through it much faster. If the apple core is not starting to rot, the worm will wait for the decomposition to start.

If you get different types of worms, read about them and their favourite habitat. Some worms are for fishing and will not survive in a bin. Outdoors worms don't feed on the surface and are not good for the bin either. I got 1/2 a pound of European night crawler. They are not big, but they are awesome. They make babies and eat a lot. They are small to medium in size. Very easy to care for because when I started I knew very little about vermicompost.

Good Luck,

Gale

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