Starting a Worm Bed: Step-by-Step Guide
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Prepare the Bedding:
- Mix 50/50 Black Kow brand compost or aged horse manure with a safe carbon source.
- Safe carbon sources include well-rinsed coco coir, mulched leaves, bagged pine shavings, and shredded plain (non-colored, non-glossy) cardboard.
- Add a handful of sand or chemical-free garden soil for grit.
- Ensure the mixture is damp like a wrung-out sponge.
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Cover the Surface:
- Use bubble wrap with the bubble side facing down to help with moisture retention and proper air circulation.
- Do not use any type of plastic sheet as it restricts oxygen, which is essential for worm survival.
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Introduce the Worms:
- Once the bedding mix and cover are set, introduce your worms.
- Keep the worm bin in an area that avoids extreme temperatures.
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Feeding the Worms:
- Feed the worms veggies once a week.
- For vermicomposting, regularly add veggie scraps to the carbon/compost mixture.
- Maintain a proper carbon/nitrogen ratio by adding a similar amount of safe carbon bedding with each veggie scrap addition.
- Avoid adding excessive nitrogen-rich material to prevent heating and acidifying the bin.
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Maintaining the Bedding:
- Periodically sprinkle dolomite garden lime to add grit and maintain proper pH.
- Lightly water the bedding surface with a pump sprayer to keep it damp but not muddy.
- If using Mazuri earthworm diet or alfalfa pellets, feed once a week.
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Harvesting Castings:
- Every 6 months, harvest most of the castings and start with fresh bedding.
- If your worm population is high, harvest castings every 3 months.
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Growing Worms for Bait:
- Feed red wigglers a high-protein diet like Mazuri earthworm diet or alfalfa pellets.
- Avoid high population density to maintain bait size worms.
- Regularly replace bedding to avoid stunted growth in castings-rich material.
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Population Control:
- Use surplus worms for fishing, give them away, or start new worm beds.
By following these steps, you will create and maintain a healthy worm bed for vermicomposting or bait production.