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What is a Worm Farm?
A worm farm is a self contained composting system that retains most nutrients for reuse. The worm's digestive system imparts a stable crumb structure to the worm compost, which is a nutrient/rich humus material, consisting of partially decomposed organic waste, bedding material and worm castings (manure). If properly maintained, it is an odourless system. |
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How Do You Get a Worm Farm?
You can buy a commercially made worm bin from the Environment Centre on Ward St (phone 839 4452), or make your own free outdoor bin from recycled materials. Commercially made worm bins may be preferable if you don't have much room, and if you get one with a tap you can collect the 'vermi-liquid' for use a fertiliser. |
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Where Do You Get Worms From?
You will need to get worms either from someone you know who has an established worm farm or ask at the Environment Centre. The species of worm most suited for worm composting is the Tiger Worm Eisenia fetida.
The worm population will build slowly, the more worms you have the more they can be fed without the bin going smelly. Adding waste once or twice a week and mixing in to what's already in the bin along with a little lime is the most efficient way to maintain a healthy bin.
- Worms usually live underground in a cool, dark, moist environment. To keep the worm farm dark, make sure it stays covered.
- Worms like moisture and should not be allowed to dry out. Once the farm is settled in, you should not need to add extra water. If you add too much water or allow rainwater to get in, the worms may drown and the organic matter may rot.
- Allow the worms to settle in when you first make the farm and add food as the worms grow and multiply. Make sure that the worms have enough food but don't overfeed them - uneaten food will simply rot, resulting in unhappy worms and a smelly bin.
- Once the worms are settled in and growing, give them a good supply of suitable food.
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What Do Worms Eat?
Worms are voracious eaters. They don't have teeth, so they like their food scraps small:
- Vegetable peels and fruit peels (except acidic fruits)
- Waste from vegetable juicers
- Soaked and ripped pizza boxes
- Coffee grounds
- Teabags
- Paper
- Tissues
- Dirt
- Leaves
- Hair
- Cardboard fast food packaging
- Egg shells
- Potato peelings
- Apple cores
- Lime (mix in a tablespoon full every couple of weeks)
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Worms don't eat:
- Onion and garlic
- Spicy foods
- Meat and dairy products
- Citrus or acidic fruit should be given in small quantities only (e.g. lemons, oranges and kiwifruit)
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How Much Do Worms Eat?
This depends on how many worms you have. In ideal conditions, worms can eat up to half their own body weight every day and can double their population every few months.
If you start your worm farms with 450gms (about 1000) of mature worms (identify mature worms by a distinct ring shaped swelling around their body) they will consume up to ½ a pound/225gms of food waste per day. The baby worms won't eat much and will take about 3 months to mature.
It doesn't matter if you are unable to obtain this number of worms initially - just reduce the quantity of food. If you provide ideal conditions, the worm population will steadily increase, doubling their numbers every 40 or so days.
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How Can I Help The Worms Eat More?
- Mash, blend, or food process scraps
- Maintain temperature to around 24 degrees Celsius
- Avoid acidic foods
- Mix in a little soil and lime
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What Do Worm Farms Produce?
Worm farms produce three products, all of which are useful. These are:
- Worm casts or faeces, which are high in nutrients. These can be mixed with potting mix, garden soil or used as mulch
- 'Vermi-liquid', which is the liquid that drains through into the collection bin. This is very high in nutrients and can be used as a liquid fertiliser once it has been diluted with 10 equal parts of water.Diluted vermi-liquid can be used on office plants and in the garden
- More worms. Over time your worms will breed and outgrow the space available. You can then remove some worms and give them to others to start their own worm farms
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What If I Want To Make My Own Worm Farm At Home?
This worm farm is made from recycled material. To learn how to easily make one at home click here.
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Contact
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Water and Waste Services
Level 6, Council Offices
Garden Place
Hamilton City Council
Private Bag 3010
Hamilton 3240
Phone: 838 6999
Fax: 838 6988
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