The concept behind worm farms is not to culture nor breed worms. Rather, farmers are looking for the byproduct that these worms produce when they are fed on organic matters such as kitchen and garden spoils.
Vermicomposting is the technical term used in worm farms in facilitating decomposition. When the process is complete, vermicompost or vermicast is produced, which is a prized possession among farmers as it is considered an organic fertilizer or soil amendment.
4 components needed in getting started with worm farms.These are the materials needed, the worms, the beddings, and the food for the worms.
Generally, containers made of wood or plastic are ideal as worm bins, as long as they have a strong cover or lid to keep the inside dark and moist. A minimum size of worm bin can be 12 inches deep, 18 inches long and 9 inches wide. The larger the bin, the more worm manure can be produced. Also, worms prefer a dark area. Thus, if the container has light color, it can be wrapped with colored newsprint or be placed inside a cabinet or opaque container to shut out the light.
Worms hate vibrations; they are disturbed with any unnecessary movements of the bin. They are likely to evacuate the area and move to another.
There are different types of worms used in worm composting. But the best one is the red worms as they are cut out for composting.
For bedding materials, moistened and shredded newspaper is ideal, especially the black and white pages such as the classified ads and stock market reports.
Then, garden soils are needed as well as the crushed egg shells. Make it certain that the bedding is moistened because moisture helps them breathe. However, avoid soaking the bedding with water as it will drown them definitely.
Kitchen scraps such as from non-acidic fruits and vegetables, bread, pasta, and oatmeal are what composed their foods. They are at their best condition when the pH level is between 7 and 8.
Adding more cooked and crushed egg shells can balance the effects of citrus foods and coffee to the food materials.
Food products from poultry and dairy should not be included; and so must salty foods like potato chips, fish, and meat as these foods produce foul odor and attract insects.
The lid of the worm bin must be partially open to allow air to circulate and the worms to breathe. Turning the bedding with a trowel also help improve air circulation in the worm farm.
Throughout the composting, worms reproduce often. When cocoons are seen on the bedding, the calcium essential in reproducing can be supplied by crushed egg shells.Red-worm cocoons are yellowish brown, and shaped like a tear-drop.
So, to prepare the bin, the damped shredded newspaper is placed on the bottom of the bin, followed by garden soil, and egg shells. Corrugated cardboard also makes excellent worm bedding.
Add the red worms. At first, they will investigate the new home. Try leaving the lid off to provide some light for the worms. Then add foods before the worm farm is moved to a dark place.
The truth about worm farming for profitWorm farming can make you money but it is not as simple as many lead you to believe. As with any business, hard work and persistence is a necessary ingredient in order for you to succeed.
More worms equal more money, Right?
Yes and no.
You see, to make significant money from fishing worms, compost tea, or vermicompost you need plenty of space to house the worm bins and equipment. Even if your home is large and backyard spacious, its probably not enough to earn you a respectable income. Sure, you can make a few bucks this way, but to earn a significant amount of money a large lot is best.
If your home is all you have to work with, go for it and reinvest profits back into growing your operation.
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