Admin Table of Contents
How small can a worm farm be?
A bathtub worm farm has a capacity of around 200L, and as you’d expect, it occupies the same space as a bathtub, which is a fair bit of space! A wheelie-bin worm farm can have a capacity of 140L, 240L or 360L and occupies very little space on the ground.
How much space do earthworms need?
The worms and bedding should be contained in a small box or bin, approximately one foot high, 2 feet deep and 3 feet wide, so you’ll need that much space. Temperatures of about 60 to 80 degrees F. are ideal, but the worms will tolerate temperatures from 40 to 90 degrees F.
Can worms survive on just cardboard?
Corrugated cardboard can also serve as food for the worms. Mix it into their kitchen scraps occasionally. However, composting worms cannot live exclusively on cardboard.
Does a worm bin need a bottom?
Setting up your worm composting bin Simply drill a series of holes in the sides and bottom a few inches apart, not including the lid. Worms don’t need light, and even though there shouldn’t be much moisture coming out the bottom, the holes are there in case it needs to drain.
How do you start a worm box?
Six Easy Steps to Setting Up a Worm Bin
- Acquire a bin.
- Prepare the bedding.
- Add the worms.
- Bury food scraps under bedding.
- Place a full sheet of dry newspaper on top of the bedding.
- Cover and choose a spot for the bin.
Can you have too many worms in your worm farm?
There is no specific number of worms that are considered too many in compost. When worms multiply to a specific density according to your bin’s size, their reproduction rate reduces. The result is a maintained population level that does not exceed a manageable worm bin population.
How many worms do I need to start a worm bin?
For beginners we recommend starting with 1 pound of worms for every 4 square feet of your worm bin’s top surface area. Experienced vermicomposters can start with more worms and we recommend 1 pound of worms for every 1 square foot of you worm composter’s top surface area.
How deep should my worm bed be?
The container depth should be between eight and twelve inches. Bins need to be shallow because the worms feed in the top layers of the bedding. A bin that is too deep is not as efficient and could potentially become an odor problem. Worm boxes can be purchased or made.
Do worms like to eat cardboard?
Most importantly, the worms seem to thrive by brown cardboard and seem to love eating it! Don’t forget to shred, or cut up your brown cardboard to make it easier for the worms to digest and more suitable for bedding.
How big of a worm bin do I Need?
The Worm Factory and Worm Factory 360 both are recommended to start with 1 lb of Red Wigglers. So the example above of a bin 18 inches by 24 inches, the ideal number of worms is 3lbs and you would need 5.25 lbs to 7.35 lbs of food a week.
How often should you bury a worm box?
About twice a week, the contents may be buried in the worm bedding, rotating around the box utilizing a different area each time. Be sure to cover all of the worm food with bedding. If your bedding dries out a sheet of black plastic can be laid over the surface to retain moisture.
Where to keep a worm bin in the winter?
Within one month worms will populate the new bedding, finished compost may be harvested and the rest of the bin can be rebedded. During the winter, worm bins should be kept in a cool indoor space such as a basement or warm garage to avoid freezing. A properly maintained worm bin is odorless.
What should the temperature be for a worm bin?
The worms need adequate temperature, moisture and ventilation. The optimum temperature Is from 55-77 degrees. Remember, an active worm bin must be kept in a heated garage or basement during the winter to prevent freezing. The worm population increases (or decreases) according to how well they are fed.