Global Worming

Setting up a worm farm

Reduces waste going to landfill

In Australia well over half of the waste that is buried in landfills is organic. It is becoming increasingly expensive to dispose of waste in this way.

 

Reduces methane production

As organic waste breaks down in anaerobic conditions (like in landfill) it produces methane, a gas that is over 20 times more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide. Vermicomposting is an aerobic process.

 

Results in a highly sought after organic fertiliser

When organic waste is buried, the nutrients are not being recycled into an organic fertiliser. This is bizarre given the reliance of Australian farmers on chemical fertilisers (largely a by-product of the petro-chemical industry) and the very low carbon stores in Australian soils.

 

 

Four fundamentals for a worm farm?

Temperature

Ideally between 18-24 degrees. Excessive heat will kill worms and cold conditions will slow them down.

It is best to keep you farm in the shade.

 

Moisture

A worm farm must always be moist (but not saturated). A worm farm needs good drainage. It will be necessary to water the farm every now and then in warm weather.

 

Light

Worms will always quickly burrow away from sunlight as light will quickly kill a worm. It is necessary to keep worms in dark conditions – a worm farm needs a lid or thick cover of mulch.

 

Bedding

Bedding is the ‘home base’ for the worm population and where they usually breed. A worm farm should have at least 150mm of bedding. The most suitable materials to use as bedding are high in carbon and water retentive. Suitable materials include

-          newspaper and cardboard (avoid glossy paper)

-          lucerne and pea hay (straw ca be used but takes longer to break down)

-          peat block – can be purchased from nurseries, the local hardware and variety discount stores for a few dollars. Simply soak in a bucket of water

-          aged cow, horse or sheep manure

-          aged lawn clippings and leaves from deciduous trees

-          compost

 

 

 

Worm farm options

Plastic and wooden worm farms are available in the market usually for around $70-$100. They generally work well and are well designed.

 

Compost bins with lids can make great worms and are usually much cheaper. 

 

You could also build your own worm farm using a plastic garbage bin or Styrofoam box. A Styrofoam box is a great free option – they can be found at the local green grocer or supermarket. Make sure the box has a lid (broccoli Styrofoam boxes are ideal).

 

 

Building your own farm

To build a worm farm it needs

-          drainage holes

-          air holes in the lid

 

 

Tips for feeding your worms

Do not heap scraps – it is best to thinly spread your food scraps out over the farm

Feed worms 1-2 times per week

Cover with a piece of shade cloth, hessian bag or jute matting

Worms like a variety in food and mix in some shredded newspaper

Not too much acidic food (including onions and citrus)

Avoid meat in small worm farms as can attract more pests