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how_the_worm_farm_works [2012-11-05 21:29] imogenhow_the_worm_farm_works [2012-11-06 17:56] (current) imogen
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   * Meat and dairy products   * Meat and dairy products
-  * Citrus fruits (too acidic) +  * Pineapple: contains an enzyme that can kill worms
-  * Pineapple: contains and enzyme that can kill worms +
-  * Onion, garlic, chilli (nothing that is hot or that stings)+
   * Fats and Oils   * Fats and Oils
   * Salted or pickled food   * Salted or pickled food
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   * Raw or hardwood sawdust   * Raw or hardwood sawdust
  
-Worms DO like:+\\ Worms will eat a BIT of (if mixed in well with other foods) 
 +  * Citrus fruits (too much = too acidic) 
 +  * Onion, garlic, chilli (they don't really like anything that is too hot or that stings) 
 + 
 + 
 +\\ Worms DO like:
  
   * Vegetable scraps   * Vegetable scraps
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   * Cotton Rags   * Cotton Rags
   * Cereals   * Cereals
-  * Grains (ground up first, not too much as grain attracts rodents) 
   * Tea bags & coffee grounds   * Tea bags & coffee grounds
-  * Mouldy bread+  * Grains (ground up first, not too much as grain attracts rodents) 
 +  * Mouldy bread (not too much as attracts rodents)
  
 Worms like their food in small pieces, so cut it up before you feed them. Blending food with a bit of water is also a great way to feed them (they appreciate any help in breaking the size down).  Worms like their food in small pieces, so cut it up before you feed them. Blending food with a bit of water is also a great way to feed them (they appreciate any help in breaking the size down). 
  
 DO NOT OVERFEED THE WORMS. Feeding them twice a week is sufficient. The food from their previous meal should be well on its way to being consumed/composted before you add the next meal. It's helpful to keep a plastic bin for worm food in or near the kitchen, rather then packing food scraps on the farm each day. They will just pile up and start to smell. DO NOT OVERFEED THE WORMS. Feeding them twice a week is sufficient. The food from their previous meal should be well on its way to being consumed/composted before you add the next meal. It's helpful to keep a plastic bin for worm food in or near the kitchen, rather then packing food scraps on the farm each day. They will just pile up and start to smell.
 +
 +How much you feed them depends on how much they seem to be eating. If you feed them a lot one day, they might take longer to eat it before the next meal. If you feed them less, then you can feed them again sooner. Observe and learn. You and the worms will work out what works best.
  
 WHENEVER YOU FEED THE WORMS ADD A BIT OF SHREDDED, SOAKED NEWSPAPER! This really helps keep the worm farm balanced and functioning.  WHENEVER YOU FEED THE WORMS ADD A BIT OF SHREDDED, SOAKED NEWSPAPER! This really helps keep the worm farm balanced and functioning. 
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 How do you know when it's ready again? The new lower level will probably take about 2-3 weeks to finish breaking down. Keep an eye on it. In that time the new top food level will fill up again. It's a combination of needing to switch the top level to the bottom because it's full, or the bottom level being ready to harvest. There are no rules, just a system of switching when you need to.  How do you know when it's ready again? The new lower level will probably take about 2-3 weeks to finish breaking down. Keep an eye on it. In that time the new top food level will fill up again. It's a combination of needing to switch the top level to the bottom because it's full, or the bottom level being ready to harvest. There are no rules, just a system of switching when you need to. 
  
 +[[How to harvest castings]]
 +
 +Back to [[Wormfarm]]
  
  • how_the_worm_farm_works.1352150978.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2012-11-05 21:29
  • by imogen