The tiny worm farmer will need to buy a few essential items to start. A shovel, some manure, and an airtight container are just the beginning. For larger farms, there is more equipment that needs to be considered.
Some of this equipment includes a tractor for moving earth, windbreaks or shade cloths for protection from wind and sun, water tanks or sprinklers with timers, large plastic bins for storing harvested worms in wet paper sacks after they have been rinsed with damp soil from the worm-farming bedding material pile.
Worm farming equipment is the tool used by worm farmers. The farm can be small or large, and the type of worm farmer will determine what kind of equipment they need to buy. However, for a minor operation, there are some basics needed for success: an airtight container (these with lids work well), manure, and soil. These three items have been found to produce excellent harvests in test trials conducted by University of Minnesota researchers in different states throughout North America.
Thicker plastic that has holes punched into it works best as long as you also provide insulation underneath on cold nights when temperatures drop below freezing) so worms don't freeze solid in their bedding material). You'll also want a shovel! Worms often escape through tiny gaps in the bottom of containers and can be hard to find on dirt floors if you haven't covered them with a layer of soil or leaves.
Why do people choose to get into worm farming? What are the benefits?
There's a lot of reasons why worm farming is so popular, but here are some top ones:
It creates less waste than traditional livestock production.
It produces healthier food for humans and animals alike because worms process organic material into soil that can be used to grow crops.It reduces the need for artificial fertilizers.
The worms can help with climate change by producing more organic matter to sequester carbon than livestock production.
Worm farming may sound a little gross at first, but it's not all that different from what we humans do every day! So what are the steps involved in worm farming?
If you want to start your worm farm and don't know where or how to begin, read on:
- Decide if you're going to keep them outdoors or inside (indoors has the advantage of being able to use less bedding material). If indoors, ensure good ventilation, so the worms don't die from carbon dioxide poisoning.
- Select a worm bedding material that will suit your needs: peat, shredded paper or leaves, aged manure (if you have animals), coconut coir.
- Consider how much space is available for the worms and what type of environment they'll be living in. Worms are most happy at temperatures ranging from 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so consider an indoor worm farm if this isn't possible outdoors.
- Lay down some tiles underneath the trough lid when keeping them outside to help prevent moisture problems such as mold growth on top of the soil or bacteria buildup on moist surfaces near food sources like meat scraps). If indoors, place a tray under where it's easy to clean up any spills.
- Worms are available for sale in small plastic pots, or you can order them online from worm farms that raise the worms specifically for human consumption.
The tools for worm farming are inexpensive and straightforward. All you need is a bin that has at least one side open to prevent suffocation, as well as some bedding material such as shredded paper or hay. Of course, you will also want to buy your worms from the same place where you ordered your worm farm (or they can be purchased online).
- A top layer of dirt for food
- Some egg cartons per person who wants to grow their worm composting in order create an easy way to separate the worms when it's time for harvest
- One bag of redworms every two months to sustain growth rates so that there is always enough available food
- An indoor space if possible because this protects them during cold temperatures like winter
- Many people choose to use a small worm farm so they can observe the worms and make sure that everything is running smoothly
- Worms need food, bedding material, water (moisture), and air. Any one of these things missing will kill them quickly
Small worm farms are great for experimenting with different composting techniques or if you want some fresh earthworms as bait for fishing. If you already have dirt at your disposal, it's possible to start farming right away without buying anything! You'll also need plenty of egg cartons since this creates an easy way to separate the worms from their waste when harvesting time comes around. There are many places online where redworms can be purchased in bulk.
You'll also need to have a worm bin. This is where all the composting happens, and it's usually made out of wood, plastic, or metal. Do worm farmers use any special equipment for more giant farms? For small-scale operations, they just might be using their own home!
Worm farming can be done at home in your backyard on a large scale, too, but there are some safety concerns you should keep in mind when selecting what type of worm farm to buy.
For example, live in an area with many wild animals such as deer, raccoons, bears, or coyotes. It may not be safe enough for outdoor worm farming because these creatures will gladly eat up anything edible, including worms if given a chance. You could also potentially have many other wild animals such as birds, skunks, or possums coming near your worm farm at night time.
Worm farming equipment is cheap and very affordable, So there isn't that much involved in what is needed to get your first worm farm off the ground!
Do you wish your plants would grow bigger? Was your garden less than it should've been last year?
If you're tired of growing puny vegetables and fruits, it's time for an upgrade...Simple Grow Worm Castings!
What are worm castings? Another term for worm manure. Why would you want to use it in your garden, raised beds, and house plants? Because it makes them grow bigger, faster and healthier...with no chemicals!
How do worm castings do this? It's like giving your plants a powerful multivitamin with everything they need to grow. Trace minerals, nutrients, and most importantly...worm castings are chock full of beneficial microbes. Why does that make a difference?
In recent years, we've learned the importance of gut bacteria for humans and know that it impacts so many different parts of our health. The same thing applies with worms. Gut bacteria from the worm's digestive tract gets into the soil from the worm castings and promotes plant health. Plants have a symbiotic relationship with the microbes from the worm's digestive tract. Plants respond to it and grow really big...really fast!
If you've never tried worm castings before, you owe it to yourself to give them a try. Instead of using traditional chemical fertilizers from the big box store, why not try fresh, certified organic worm castings this year? You'll be able to grow bigger, healthier plants that you actually can feel good about eating.
Take advantage of our special bundle sale on 25lb bags today!