Now that you have your worm bin set up here are some basics on how to care for your wiggly friends.
First off. We don’t have a specific recommendations on where to source your worms (we have heard red wigglers do well in bins) but we have saved some from fishing shops on occasion. 😉
Check out this youtube video from Riverside County Department of Waste Resources explaining worm care. It’s great!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB98F3q7dKk
🪱 Feeding Schedule:
- How Often: 1-2 times a week.
- Quantity: Worms can eat roughly half their weight in food every day. So, if you have 1 pound of worms, they can consume about 1/2 pound of scraps daily. Be careful not to add too much food as food will rot and stink as opposed to being quickly eaten. Keep the lid on at all times to prevent other pests from getting in.
- What to Feed: Veggies, fruit scraps (no citrus), coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells (crushed), grains, and bread.
- Avoid Feeding: Dairy, oils, meats, citrus, spicy foods, onions, garlic, and other pungent food likely to smell.
🌾 Bedding:
- How Often: Check the bin every couple of weeks. When the bedding starts to look like rich, dark compost, it's time to add more.
- Materials: Shredded newspaper, brown cardboard, decaying leaves, and cocopeat. Mix these up to create a fluffy layer for your worms.
💧 Watering Your Bin:
- How Often: The bedding should feel like a wrung-out sponge. If it starts to dry out, lightly sprinkle water over it.
- Collecting 'Worm Tea': With your unique two-bin system, excess moisture will drain into the bottom bin. This nutrient-rich liquid, often called 'worm tea', can be collected and diluted with water (usually a 1:10 ratio) to feed plants.
🌿General Care Tips:
- Bin Position: Place your worm bin in a location that remains relatively cool, such as a shaded part of your yard, garage, or basement.
- Temperature: Worms prefer temperatures between 55°F and 77°F. Anything too hot or too cold can stress them out.
- Fun Casting Harvest: When it's time to harvest the rich compost, get the kids involved! Spread out the compost and let them have a delightful time picking out the worms. Place these wriggly wonders in a holding bin filled with substrate. Once all worms are safely relocated, add fresh bedding to the original bin and return the worms to their revamped home.