Starting up a Wormery

[TF_Daz Newell]

Got myself a wormery so how do i get it up and running and how do i keep it in tip top running…basically what do i do please….
Cheers guys

[TF_redarmy]

ive had one about 4-5 years now thats solid with quality red worms only.i started off putting all veg peelings, old fruit, egg shells and egg boxes.the red worms found the wormery and bred so its self sustaining with no worms added at all.once its up and running if we have a long hot spell (not that likely in n west) dont let it dry out keep some moisture in there.the one i have is the purpose made black composters about 3ft high and 2ft wide

[TF_Daz Newell]

yeah ive bought one of them
i thought i wud av had tobuy sum dendras nsum mats

[TF_macca63]

I bought one cheap off eBay basically four stacking trays, a base complete with tap and a lid, looks a bit like a bee-hive.

I just followed the instructions put one of the mats supplied on the bottom then some compost, just added some left over worms from a tub and just keep topping up with spud peelings, tea leaves, apple cores, egg shells and other assorted veg. It didnt take long before there were baby worms appearing literally hundreds of the things now.

Just got to keep it out of the sun in summer [if we ever get one] and away from frost – either keep it in a shed or garage or wrap in bubble wrap if outside. I’m leaving mine under May at least before I start harvesting any worms.

[TF_Dishyfish]

I’ve recently started a wormery! And along with the tips the other posters have put up, I came across this. I hope it helps!!

Seeing as theres been so much interest in creating wormerys lately i thought id add a few tips ive found usefull in the few years ive had mine.

You can NOT over feed a wormery, go open a compost bin (which is full of pure worm food) what do you see? worms because contrary to popular belief if they dont feel like eating theyl simply bury into the broken down food till they do want to.

Worms dont like heavy organic waste i.e grass cuttings or bits of bush as they take forever to break down. If you want to use grass cuttings leave it in black bags for 3 weeks before you put it in and itl be on its way to edible for the worms.

Worms will surface when they dont like something about the wormery there in but normally its either lack of food or its about to rain.

3 or 4 inches of compost and manure mixed together at the bottom of your new wormery will give the worms a ready made home tillt hey get used to what going on asn start exploring.

If you dont want a wormery that smells like a compost heap, fill it to the top with damp peat and feed the worm on tea bags and a cup full of corn flour each day.

Heat is the main key to keeping your worms breeding well, get them in a garage if you can or a shed. Wrap the wormery in foil sided insulation like in your loft, then go round that with shrinkwrap to waterproof it. Theres no need for it in summer but in winter it can double your wormerys output.

If you have sufficient water drainage holes in the bottom you wont over water your worms nomatter what you do so give thema good spray every few days (very important if your using peat not compost).

Keep lobs in a seperate wormery and once a month pick off the smaller lobs that arent babys- not under 5 inches stretched and no opaque or white patches. Youl end up with only the biggest healthiest lobs left, after 6 months or so youl notice the average size of your worms will keep going up. Carry on doing this being as picky about the size as you like. Eventually youl end up with very few babies growing into small lobs and a lot of the finest hookbaits around. Selective breeding at its best lol

Hope some of these help and happy worming

[TF_Daz Newell]

Cheers guys thats a great help.
I bought the can o worms wormery that is multi tier…what do i put in each tier the same as stated

[TF_dendra]

Tour your local farms/children’s farms,stables, or council depots where swept leaves are deposited and try and get permission to dig the heaps. Redworms and Lobs on tap then.

[TF_AndycarpcatcherParticipant]

There has been some good info about what to put into your wormery already. As a note there are a few things that you want to avoid putting in. You should avoid anything in the onion family and anything with citrus.

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