A Quick And Easy Guide To Worm Farming

Worm farms are a simple and effective way to recycle organic waste and feed your garden.

Worms eat their way through food scraps and other organic materials, producing castings or worm poo which, once placed on to your soil, is quickly absorbed by hungry plants.

You can either start a worm farm with a worm kit from the hardware store or make your own using polystyrene boxes or other containers.

You will need at least two boxes – one with drainage holes and another without, placed underneath to collect the liquid that the worms produce.

A cover or lid is necessary to protect worms from light, predators and to keep the farm at a stable temperature and it’s important to position the worm farm in a shady, sheltered spot.

Damp conditions are advisable as worms like moisture but can drown if there is too much water.

Moisture should come from fruit and vegetable scraps but an occasional light spray with water is advisable if it starts to look dry.

When you first start your farm, it is important to lay down some bedding material such as shredded moist newspaper, followed by some partially broken down pea straw, compost, or even soil from the garden.

Once your farm is ready, it’s time to add the worms.

A minimum of 250 grams of compost worms (around 1,000) is recommended and the three main types of compost worms are Tiger, Indian Blue and Red Wriggler.

Regular amounts of organic matter can then be fed to your worms in the form of the following:

- Food scraps including all fruit and vegetable scraps and peelings except for onions and citrus.

- Coffee and tea grounds and/or bags.

- Vacuum dust and ash (small applications only).

- Hair

- Paper, and any unwaxed cardboard, but break it up first.

- Plant clippings and grass - although you should wet the grass as it can be very drying.

- Meat and dairy products attract vermin so are best avoided.

The smaller the material the better as worms don’t have teeth and they suck up their food.

Worm tea, that beautiful rich liquid worms produce, should be ready on a weekly basis so regularly check your bottom box to collect the liquid.

Dilute the liquid down to the colour of weak tea, and then apply to plants.

For more information on composting and worm farming, the Mackay Regional Council is hosting a free workshop on Saturday, November 26 from 9am to 11am at Mackay Community Gardens.

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