WORM-A-RAMA
WORM BIN INSTRUCTIONS
1.) Assemble Worm Bin:
NOTE: TILT WORM BIN TOWARDS VALVE FOR BETTER DRAINAGE
A) Install drain valve parallel to the bottom of the
unit. Push in and turn valve clockwise approximately 3 turns after
it starts threading. DO NOT over tighten. Tapered thread with
Teflon tape will seal. Before moving unit, turn entire valve sideways
after installation to prevent breakage. Keep valve opened to facilitate
drainage. Manure tea will come out of the valve and should be
used as a liquid fertilizer. Best if used immediately. The manure
tea will make your potted plants leap out of their pots.
B) The next step requires some resourcefulness. Fill
the worm bin up to 3" deep with some type of refuse. Example:
composted leaves, grass clippings, vegetable scraps or manure;
cow, sheep, horse or rabbit. The yard refuse needs to be composted
so it is an appealing food for the worms. Raw yard refuse is not
recommended for a NEW worm farm. The Red Wigglers have to be pampered
at first, especially in a container. In an outdoor operation(where
raised beds are used), the farmer can have a higher degree of
error. If we overfeed or overwater our outdoor worm operation,
the worms can escape from a temporary life threatening situation.
But in a container, the worms cannot escape and therefore may
become victims of the improper care and feeding of the farmer.
Many observations should be made at this point. Moisture
content of worm bedding or food, temperature, type of food. How
green or hot, population of worms. These observations are very
important. This could mean the difference between the life and
death of your farm.
FEEDING TIME! The manure should be straw based, not
wood. Straw is best for vermiculture(the total environment that
the worms live in). The straw or peat moss needs to be soaked
overnight so it can be consumed by the worms. This is also true
for paper products such as cardboard. The Red Wigglers will eat
paper products but the paper has to be soaked in water first.
Preparing the food for the Red Wiggler is very easy here in the
Northwest, just leave the worm food out in the rain for a few
days before giving it to the worms. After soaking the straw in
water, wring out the excess moisture. This is only necessary for
the container type worm bin. In an outdoor operation, the excess
moisture will not be a problem. Earthworms cannot consume DRY
food! Chicken manure(a HOT manure) is also a good worm feed but
one must exercise caution with HOT manures. Make sure the manure
is composted so it doesn't reheat. Be sure not to over do it.
Easy does it on the amount of food. The food needs to be moist
so the Red Wigglers can get into it. If the worm bin receives
too much water it will be evident through the clear plastic worm
bin. Too much feed will suffocate the worms and too much water
will drown them. Remember, containerized cultivation is completely
reliant on the farmer. When it rains, the earthworms come up for
air. They breathe through their skin. The Red Wiggler composting
earthworm tends to live and colonize just under the surface of
the soil. In this case, manure, food scraps and yard refuse. The
Red Wiggler is a manure worm that is found naturally at dairy's
and stables. The presence of these creatures is a natural phenomenon.
Farmers that deal with manure and leave it in one place long enough,
will testify to this fact! Red Wigglers need manure to stay healthy.
After the Red Wigglers have made themselves at home, cafeteria
food scraps may be introduced to the worm bed. Whenever we feed
our Red Wigglers food scraps, simply sprinkle a thin layer of
leaves, lawn cuttings or straw or peat moss over the top. Moisten
the worm bed moderately and this will keep the worms working.
Remember, the Earthworms are photosensitive so they only work
in the dark. Also, don't forget that whatever we feed our Red
Wigglers, it has to be moist. Unlike a compost pile, vermiculture
should never be stirred or disturbed, if possible. That's the
worms work!
The location of the worm bin should be someplace close
to the kitchen. Food scraps will be administered regularly. The
bin should be kept warm for top performance and high yield. But
keep in mind that the worms are photosensitive. Darkness is the
best for worms. Example: Under the sink, or on the porch on the
way to the compost pile and/or the outdoor worm bin. NOTE: Place
one piece of 2x4 wood under the bin, opposite the valve to tilt
the entire unit towards the valve. This will help circulate warm
air and increase temperature and productivity.
HARVEST TIME
When the Worm bin gets close to the full mark, it's
time to harvest the earthworm castings. Use some bait to catch
the bait. Mix up a tasty treat for your new friends. Combine some
coffee grounds with some fruit slurry in a blender. Water the
mixture down so you have enough to sprinkle on the worm beds.
Red Wigglers are very attracted to acidic situations. These include:
Manures, cannery waste, or silage; and food scraps from the cafeteria.
By this time the Red Wigglers should be overcrowded. The Red Wigglers
will surface into the food in a few days. Now it's time to separate
the red worms from the castings. The definitive line between the
vermicompost and the castings should be obvious. That's why we
don't stir up the worm bed; harvesting is made easier by leaving
them be! Keep in mind under optimum conditions Red Wigglers multiply
exponentially every 7 days at 70 degrees F. The Red Wigglers can
reach over a million in population in a little over a months time.
This is , of course, under optimum conditions with copious amounts
of manure.
Worm castings are a bio-organic fertilizer which is
presented as a light crumbly odorless product. It is very rich
in enzymes and microorganisms(approx. 2 billion bacteria per gram).
It is a plant food that is directly assimilated, rich and balanced,
reconstituting and anti-parasitic. The castings stimulate rapid
germination and minimize shock during transplanting. Earthworm
castings contain humic acid which promotes rapid root development.
Great for cuttings, seedlings, germinations and transplants.
KEEP ON WORMING!!
Questions or comments? Call Chris Boissevain at Three
Trees Farm (541)942-9033
FOOTNOTE: When ordering Red Worms, Three pounds
are recommended for fast results.
© 1996-2007 Three Trees Farm ©