Worms, Worms & More Worms Part 2 of Mini-Worm Farming🐛

This is a continuation of "My Journey into Mini-Worm Farming." In the first part I told a story from my childhood memories about my Uncle Zeke the "worm farmer" being my inspiration for this endeavor.

In this part I discuss the simplest way to get started with raising worms, like I said before it's not fancy or complicated. Its not as big of a operation as Uncle Zeke's worm farm, but it works. I suppose one could get complex with it, but why is the question.

First Things First
First rule of thumb is to start small, you don't need a lot of stuff or money to get started. If you plan on separating the worm castings from the worms that's a bit more complicated. I have no such lofty goals so I'm not going to discuss the topic other then in passing.

Decide where you are going to procure the worms and do some research on which worms do well in the area you live. You can order them easily online and they survive shipping quite well. I have Italian worms. Red wrigglers, European and even plain ol Earthworms you dug up in the yard. Red wrigglers are very popular amongst homesteaders.

Tip: Be sure you consider where you are going to place the worms carefully and have the container with bedding completed prior to your worms arrival. They hate the heat, direct sunlight and rain. They will bake or drown if you leave them out in the open!

What you need to begin
A container for the worms, I use a large blue crate with a lid that attaches securely. Don't forget to punch holes in the top (don't overdo it), but not to large or they might escape. Putting holes in the bottom is asking for trouble-ants and worm escapes!
The worms you purchased or dug up in the yard
Dirt (regular dirt, not potting soil)
Compost (cool not hot)
Leaf debri

Bedding Preparation
I do my initial worm bedding in layers. In your large container or tub put the dirt in first, it should be free of sticks and other hard debris like rocks. This layer should be the largest portion- use your own judgement about the amount.

Compost or leaf matter mixed with "cool" not hot manure. Cool in this case means not fresh! Never use fresh manure and absolutely never ever dog or cat poo! Chicken or horse manure works best, aged cow patties are not optimal. Layer the composted material next in a lessor amount then the dirt. Place your leaf matter on top of that layer along with a little dirt or sand (do not use sterilized construction sand). If you don't have sand don't worry with it. I live in a area that has sandy soil.

Your container should be half full with bedding, I don't fill it to the top. I add more as needed as the worms mature and have baby worms. Once you are ready dump the worms and the dirt they came in into your container. They will quickly burrow down to the bottom.

Tip: Add used coffee grounds from your morning coffee to the worm bed for the first 3 months, not daily but once a week. This is the secret ingredient.

Feeding the Worms
I do not feed daily or weekly, every other week or monthly works well for me.

Tip: Keep them moist not wet. Never just pour water on them, instead used moistened bleach free coffee filters or ink free paper products. Just lay them on top of the bedding.

No meats, garlic, potatoes, onions or nasty stuff like dead things! Cabbage, lettuce, egg shells, veggie scraps are good for the worms.

Pieces of torn moistened cardboard without inks and do not use cardboard boxes that were used to transport toxic products-like pesticides etc.

Manure from horses or chickens that is no longer hot from 4 months on should be added. Coffee grounds after the 3rd month is no longer required, just take my word on this one.

Important!!!
Don't let the dirt get too moist or turn muddy. The bedding should be rich with a little moisture- never dry or wet.
Do not let it rain into the container where the worms are housed, they do drown. I know this from experience!
Adding moist papers or coffee filters helps when bedding seems a little dry
Worms do not do well in heat, place them where it will be cool not in the sunlight. Mine are under a shaded porch pushed up close to the house which is not ideal but I live in the deep south. Basements, storm cellars and other unground spaces are ideal.

My compost pile, the chickens love to hunt for bugs on the pile

Turning and Maintaining
I like to stir them up monthly by gently pulling the dirt up from the bottom to the top of the bedding, yes you will have worms in your hand(s). The bottom is rich and likely more moist then the middle. This is the good stuff, sometimes there is "worm tea" down in the corners. While turning the worms don't squeeze them just leave your palms open and keep doing this until you have turned the dirt sufficiently. The worms will start burrowing back down to the bottom immediately. Put some leaf matter on the top and feed them. Moisten with wet paper laid on top if necessary.

When to Separate
You will know when there are too many worms they will have be crawling up the sides and congregating at the top of container. Try not to let it get to this point by noticing how many worms you have when you turn them.

I have and do lots of tiny baby worms, it might be wise to start a second container to house the growing worm farm. Just remove some of the worms, you don't have to be particular, just enough ease the overcrowding and allow future growth. Have as many containers of worms as you desire.

See the baby worm

When you feel you have enough worms going and growing take some out throw then in your garden. Conditioning your garden soil with your worms is best done in raised beds or container gardening. The worms will of course go where they want in an open plot type garden, it is their fate. If the soil is good they will likely stick around.

It sounds like a lot, but worms are pretty self sufficient after the initial setup phase. Just feed them, turn them, don't let them dry out, and check for overcrowding. Definitely easier then raising children or chickens for that matter.

Good luck in your worm farming endeavor.🐓