Worms need a cool and moist area where they can retreat if their decomposing dinner should become too hot. There are some elaborate designs produced commercially, but for the small farm, it is wise to keep it simple. Larger worm bins may be constructed of concrete, wood or metal and can be several meters in length. Larger units will do well under the shade of trees. Small units will do well in or near the kitchen, and there will be no odor produced by a properly maintained bin. Wooden containers are absorbent and good insulators for the worms. Cover the bin to conserve moisture, provide darkness for the worms and protect them from predators and rain.
If possible, design a way to capture the runoff which can be used as liquid plant fertilizer. Especially if the bin is made of plastic or metal, it will need a system for moisture release or collection. Make sure there is good drainage in the container so the worms don’t drown. A bin with the surface area of 1 square meter requires 5 kg (11 lb) of waste per week to feed the worms.Ī bin about 30 cm (1ft) high by 60 cm (2 ft) wide by 1 m (3.3 ft) long, together with about 6000 worms will be able to process about 2.5-5 kg (6-11 lbs) of waste weekly.Ĭommercial (concrete) bins in Nicaragua. The container should be 20-30 cm (8-12 in) deep, and provide one square foot (~0.1 m2) of surface area for every 500 g (1 lb) of food waste produced and fed per week. You can use an old dresser drawer, tire, barrel, plastic tote or custom-made bin for your worms. To establish your worm farm, you will need the following resources:Ī standard household worm bin is a shallow box made from plastic or wood. In this publication we examine the use of worms for the production and application of organic matter for the small farm. Organic matter can be added to the soil from a number of sources (See ECHO Tech Notes, Compost and Mulch for Healthy Soil, Green Manure Cover Crops and Soil Fertility) It is essentially comprised of decomposed plant and animal wastes, and these wastes are ideal for feeding and maintaining the “living” or biological portion of the soil and giving it good “health.”
In the garden, healthy soil is essential for the production of healthy crops, and healthy soil requires a good quantity of organic matter. Worms are invaluable partners in building the soil in your garden, be it a kitchen or dooryard garden or a large market garden. Worm or vermiculture is a useful technique for recycling kitchen and livestock wastes into a rich organic fertilizer, for producing high-protein feed for poultry and initiating a lucrative business selling worms and worm castings for the small farm.
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