Worm Care Advice

Starting a Worm Bed: Step-by-Step Guide

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.