Why Build Worm Farms?

• After worms digest compost, they produce waste products called castings. These "waste products" have a neutral Ph level, which means it is halfway between alkalinic and acidic; the same as water. Castings smell and feel like good topsoil and that is essentially what they are at the chemical level (only they have more nutrients). Another beneficial byproduct of worm farming is a brown odorless fluid called leachate that can be used in the fertilizing process and irrigation.
  
  

Building Worm Farms

• While worm farm containers can be purchased from retailers they can also be made at home in a relatively simple fashion. The main piece of equipment needed is a plastic storage bin, the size of which will depend on how large a farm you wish to operate. The bins should be filled with 25 percent topsoil and 25 percent composting materials. The most common type of worm used in worm farming is the red worm, a species known for having large appetites. Worms can be purchased at local stores or online and are often sold by the pound (there are roughly 1,000 worms in a pound).
  
  

Worm Diet

• In general, worms will eat any material that was once a living organism. This includes coffee grounds, paper, egg cartons, eggshells, pizza boxes, tea bags, leaves, fruits, vegetables, hair clippings, dust from the vacuum cleaner and manure. To be successful in worm farming, it is important not to overfeed the worms. You should never give them more food than they can consume in a period of 24 hours. Left-over food materials will turn sour and create acidity in the soil which can be lethal for the worms. Any uneaten materials should be removed from the farm.
  
  

Climate Control

• During cold weather, it is important to maintain a temperature of over 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the worms. The moisture content of the farm's bedding will also need to be checked. If it is too wet, the worms will get cold and may die. Conversely, in warmer conditions make sure the worms do not get too hot or dry. Worm farms should be kept in shaded areas and it may be necessary to add water if the bedding becomes too dry.
  
  

Other Tips

• To increase the consumption rate of the worms, food materials should be chopped, blended or mashed into smaller pieces. Pieces of lime, ashes or crushed eggshell or oyster shell can be added to help reduce acidity.