The operation of worm farming or vermi composting is the act of retrieving compost vermicast or worm products from organic matter being broken down by earthworms. Through worm farming, we can obtain the best fertilizer that can condition the soil in producing crops. The few requirements for worm farming are yard and kitchen wastes so vermicomposting makes good use of waste and generates black, earth smelling humus.
Earthworms are the main workforce for creating humus where they, along with bacteria are the main trigger of the process. Other species like insects, other worms and molds also have a critical role in the process of decomposition and the earthworms most commonly used in this process are the Red wigglers. This sort of worm can be found in different parts of Europe and South America, where they are commonly found in rotting vegetables, compost and of course piles of manure or animal wastes.
The kind of compost created by the vermi composting function has no smell, is very clean, and is also organic however it also contains loads of micro nutrients N, P, and K which are critical in plant growth. Aside from proving nutrients it also environmental friendly, since it helps in recycling energy and besides the fact that it's ecologically friendly, it contains no toxins and uses almost no energy for the process.
Since the wide introduction to use chemicals for pesticide people have been expressing their concern about the effects of that remains on the crops and produce. In a 2001 study, showed us that children who consumed organically grown produce have lower organophosphorus pesticide exposure than those children who ate regular food.
While the majority of studies conducted are limited to the levels of organophosphorus and not on its effects, people think those who have lower levels do not have as high a risk of neurological damage.
Food grown organically, therefore, can be said to have higher nutritional value than other food grown using modern conventional methods - it is just simple, healthy plants mean healthy people, and that is the end vermi composting trusts to achieve.
You are able to use humus from the worms as another layer of rich soilin potted plants but another way is by directly adding the humus into the soil directly as you re-pot. Another good thing about this variety of fertilizer is there's no reason to worry about going too heavy on the fertilizer or damaging the plant due to excessive exposure to chemicals.
Not only is worm farming something that you can do in your the backyard but it can also easily turn into a business and by using good business strategies you can quickly build a business selling worm castings. You can also investigate local nurseries that are in need of organic fertilizer and then you just need a bit of patience so you can teach people about the importance of organic farming and supplementary techniques of looking after the soil we have to use for farming.
Are you familiar with the fact that good old mother nature possesses it's own natural garbage disposal system? The system is so powerful that it turns garbage into useful nutrients the earth can reuse. This system is called worm farming - yes, the lowly, wiggly, squirmy, slimy worm consumes eats our trash and puts it back into the earth as dirt enriching goodness however, prior to starting a nifty worm farm business let's discuss a bit how worms help the earth.
With the millions of tons of garbage that people are always producing it's no wonder that our lowly worms are having trouble keeping up with us. Vermiculture is the actual term for raising worms and now many people practice vermiculture because it's a great way of turning everyday organic waste into usable compost This compost is used by gardeners as it creates noticeable results in plants and vegetables. A few gardeners who buy the worms themselves which is just another thing that can be used to start a business.
You can start your own business by growing worms right in your backyard because it's very convenient, cheap and importantly, takes very little time to maintain. With the right contacts, it's not impossible to make sizable profits selling worms and compost, and really now where the demand for organic food is growing. Here are the basics that you'll need
For your business to be successful you need to have the proper worms. Those who look after gardens and keen fishermen, who as well buy worms for angling, will purchase good worms for instance: tiger worms and red worms. You should try to get these types of worms, and they'll be readily available in any nursery.
Any good soil will work and you can dig up some from your backyard. You don't need to buy expensive soil from a local market to grow quality worms.
Worm farmers use vessels that include apple crates, plastic storage boxes, or glass jars, actually any container should work just fine if it is waterproof.
Having gotten the materials just line your container with paper, fill the container with soil, moisten the soil with fresh water, and then drop your worms in with some scraps of food. The only upkeep that you'll need to take care of is to keep the soil moist by spraying water, and remember to occasionally feed your worms.
Not only is owning and operating a worm business simple to maintain, it can also increase the efficiency in your household. Food wastes to feed your worms, and then the worms will make fertile compost that will fertilize your garden as well as vegetable patches however you can also sell your worms and compost to gardeners, or just hand them out to your neighbors and friends. If you are looking for a hobby or a side business to earn a few extra dollars, then building a worm farm is definitely worth considering. The low overhead costs, and the extremely low maintenance makes it an ideal business for folks who do not have sufficient time to sustain a more complex home business enterprise.
With the millions of tons of garbage that people are always producing it's no wonder that our lowly worms are having trouble keeping up with us. Vermiculture is the actual term for raising worms and now many people practice vermiculture because it's a great way of turning everyday organic waste into usable compost This compost is used by gardeners as it creates noticeable results in plants and vegetables. A few gardeners who buy the worms themselves which is just another thing that can be used to start a business.
You can start your own business by growing worms right in your backyard because it's very convenient, cheap and importantly, takes very little time to maintain. With the right contacts, it's not impossible to make sizable profits selling worms and compost, and really now where the demand for organic food is growing. Here are the basics that you'll need
Worm Farming Worms
For your business to be successful you need to have the proper worms. Those who look after gardens and keen fishermen, who as well buy worms for angling, will purchase good worms for instance: tiger worms and red worms. You should try to get these types of worms, and they'll be readily available in any nursery.
The Worm Farm Ground
Any good soil will work and you can dig up some from your backyard. You don't need to buy expensive soil from a local market to grow quality worms.
Worm Farming Containers
Worm farmers use vessels that include apple crates, plastic storage boxes, or glass jars, actually any container should work just fine if it is waterproof.
Having gotten the materials just line your container with paper, fill the container with soil, moisten the soil with fresh water, and then drop your worms in with some scraps of food. The only upkeep that you'll need to take care of is to keep the soil moist by spraying water, and remember to occasionally feed your worms.
Not only is owning and operating a worm business simple to maintain, it can also increase the efficiency in your household. Food wastes to feed your worms, and then the worms will make fertile compost that will fertilize your garden as well as vegetable patches however you can also sell your worms and compost to gardeners, or just hand them out to your neighbors and friends. If you are looking for a hobby or a side business to earn a few extra dollars, then building a worm farm is definitely worth considering. The low overhead costs, and the extremely low maintenance makes it an ideal business for folks who do not have sufficient time to sustain a more complex home business enterprise.
How to Go Green With a Worm Farm
Bump up your going green efforts to the next level with your very own worm farm. Worm farming is here to stay and is quickly catching on everywhere. You don't have to live out in the country to start a worm farm. The small size of worms make starting a worm farm possible in even the smallest yard.
By now you have probably noticed a "green" trend in the world. It seems that everywhere you turn there is a new environmentally friendly option from paper towels to makeup. It's a trend that is helping the world…fortunately.
So, what can you do to make the world a less wasteful place. One answer is to start a worm farm. Disgusting sounding? Perhaps. Environmentally friendly? Definitely. You see, worms are able to decompose food scraps, paper products, or other kitchen waste into a useful compost that can be used in gardens, flower beds, lawns, etc. What this means, is that instead of filling up your wastebasket and hence your local landfill with stinky waste, you can feed your worms and produce a highly desirable fertilizer that can be used in many ways.
The process that worms process food and other waste into a useful product is called vermicomposting. The resulting compost is known for its high nutrient contents and how well it helps plants grow in a natural (environmentally friendly) manner.
So, you might be asking yourself. Yeah, sounds great, but where do I keep my worms? That's the best part about it. You can actually have your very own worm farm inside your kitchen. There are specially made worm bins that keep the light levels, moisture, oxygen, and other factors that keep your worms healthy. These worm bins can go in place of your garbage can, under your kitchen sink, on the counter, or just about anywhere in a very non-intrusive fashion.
Or if you decide that you want to get a little more serious about worm farming, you can make your own large scale bins out of wood, plastic, or even metal. In fact, worms don't just help reduce the waste that your own household produces, but it can also be a profitable venture.
Because of the many benefits that worms produce, they are highly sought after. So, you could get into the business of selling your worms. Red wrigglers in particular sell very well, and they multiple quite rapidly all on their own! All you have to do is continually feed them your food scraps. In addition, you will have to make sure that the light levels, moisture, oxygen, and food beds are all properly maintained.
The by product (vermicompost) is also highly marketable. So, whether you decide that you would like to have your own small worm farm, or whether you want to produce worms and worm compost on a large scale, its up to you. Both have a very good market potential. And most importantly, you will have added a way in which you can keep your house a little "greener".
For more information on raising worms, visit My Worm Farms
Worm Farms: How to Make Your Home a Little Greener
By now you have probably noticed a "green" trend in the world. It seems that everywhere you turn there is a new environmentally friendly option from paper towels to makeup. It's a trend that is helping the world…fortunately.
So, what can you do to make the world a less wasteful place. One answer is to start a worm farm. Disgusting sounding? Perhaps. Environmentally friendly? Definitely. You see, worms are able to decompose food scraps, paper products, or other kitchen waste into a useful compost that can be used in gardens, flower beds, lawns, etc. What this means, is that instead of filling up your wastebasket and hence your local landfill with stinky waste, you can feed your worms and produce a highly desirable fertilizer that can be used in many ways.
The process that worms process food and other waste into a useful product is called vermicomposting. The resulting compost is known for its high nutrient contents and how well it helps plants grow in a natural (environmentally friendly) manner.
So, you might be asking yourself. Yeah, sounds great, but where do I keep my worms? That's the best part about it. You can actually have your very own worm farm inside your kitchen. There are specially made worm bins that keep the light levels, moisture, oxygen, and other factors that keep your worms healthy. These worm bins can go in place of your garbage can, under your kitchen sink, on the counter, or just about anywhere in a very non-intrusive fashion.
Or if you decide that you want to get a little more serious about worm farming, you can make your own large scale bins out of wood, plastic, or even metal. In fact, worms don't just help reduce the waste that your own household produces, but it can also be a profitable venture.
Because of the many benefits that worms produce, they are highly sought after. So, you could get into the business of selling your worms. Red wrigglers in particular sell very well, and they multiple quite rapidly all on their own! All you have to do is continually feed them your food scraps. In addition, you will have to make sure that the light levels, moisture, oxygen, and food beds are all properly maintained.
The by product (vermicompost) is also highly marketable. So, whether you decide that you would like to have your own small worm farm, or whether you want to produce worms and worm compost on a large scale, its up to you. Both have a very good market potential. And most importantly, you will have added a way in which you can keep your house a little "greener".
For more information on raising worms, visit My Worm Farms
Recycle Kitchen Scraps With Your Own Worm Farm
Kick up your recycling program with your very own worm farm. Stop throwing out you kitchen scraps, instead you could feed them to your very own worms who will in turn turn the scraps into wonderful compost for all your gardening needs. Kids and adults can participate in worm farming together. It can be a family hobby.
The very first benefit you'll receive from worm farming is a little thing called composting where you can convert food and many other wastes into something called compost. Through worm farming you let the worms to munch on waste and as it goes in it comes out. Worm poop is commonly known as castings and that is the goal of worm farming because what you do is collect the castings from your worm farm and use the soil like substance as plant fertilizer.
There are people who have marketed the worm castings because it's an excellent fertilizer Gardeners will be the first to tell you they their vegetables came out better because of the fertilizer they used which came from a worm farmer.
Even the worms are being sold in farms, pet shops, bait dealers, and even online so worm farming can be scaled down enough for ordinary people living in even a small house or apartment That's one of the beauties of worm farming, you won't need much if you want to start if you want to start your own farm.
For a home scale level of worm farming all you will need is a container that preferably is around several inches deep. you'll need to place some damp newspaper leaves or paper board for bedding before you put the worms in, adding in some soil or compost on it is definitely a good idea. The worms are very easy to feed because basically any food scraps would do,, nonetheless, steer clear of placing in meat, poultry, and citrus related fruits in the container. The meat would soon begin to smell which can be annoying especially if your worm farm is inside the house.
Feeding your worms kitchen waste among other things is an effective way of managing your trash because not only is this an effective means of garbage reduction you are also helping the environment. The worms will give you in return a rich hefty serving of castings which you can put on your plants so if you're going to have a worm farm, it would be better to start taking care of plants as well if you don't have any. The enriched soil will go to waste if you just throw it away.
The good thing of using the worm castings or vermicompost is that it leaves the soil intact unlike the chemical fertilizers that you can get on the market now Although the effects of chemical fertilizers aren't immediately noticeable, the longer term effects on the soil are horrifying whereas vermicompost improves the soil.
Building a worm farm is quite an interesting project that helps you turn food waste into rich organic fertilizers. You can start your project at home which with work that can morph into a larger undertaking that is able to provide either living worms and/or vermicompost to a waiting market place.
The very first benefit you'll receive from worm farming is a little thing called composting where you can convert food and many other wastes into something called compost. Through worm farming you let the worms to munch on waste and as it goes in it comes out. Worm poop is commonly known as castings and that is the goal of worm farming because what you do is collect the castings from your worm farm and use the soil like substance as plant fertilizer.
There are people who have marketed the worm castings because it's an excellent fertilizer Gardeners will be the first to tell you they their vegetables came out better because of the fertilizer they used which came from a worm farmer.
Even the worms are being sold in farms, pet shops, bait dealers, and even online so worm farming can be scaled down enough for ordinary people living in even a small house or apartment That's one of the beauties of worm farming, you won't need much if you want to start if you want to start your own farm.
For a home scale level of worm farming all you will need is a container that preferably is around several inches deep. you'll need to place some damp newspaper leaves or paper board for bedding before you put the worms in, adding in some soil or compost on it is definitely a good idea. The worms are very easy to feed because basically any food scraps would do,, nonetheless, steer clear of placing in meat, poultry, and citrus related fruits in the container. The meat would soon begin to smell which can be annoying especially if your worm farm is inside the house.
Feeding your worms kitchen waste among other things is an effective way of managing your trash because not only is this an effective means of garbage reduction you are also helping the environment. The worms will give you in return a rich hefty serving of castings which you can put on your plants so if you're going to have a worm farm, it would be better to start taking care of plants as well if you don't have any. The enriched soil will go to waste if you just throw it away.
The good thing of using the worm castings or vermicompost is that it leaves the soil intact unlike the chemical fertilizers that you can get on the market now Although the effects of chemical fertilizers aren't immediately noticeable, the longer term effects on the soil are horrifying whereas vermicompost improves the soil.
Building a worm farm is quite an interesting project that helps you turn food waste into rich organic fertilizers. You can start your project at home which with work that can morph into a larger undertaking that is able to provide either living worms and/or vermicompost to a waiting market place.
Ultimate Guide To Worm Farming
The ultimate guide to worm farming. Worm farming is a great cheap hobby for people of all ages. Not much space is needed either and best of all there isn't much cleaning up after the worms. Here's a great guide to worm farming:
Why Worm Farms?
Worms make great pets. They don't make a lot of noise, they never need to be walked, they eat our garbage, and they make valuable compost. Disposal of food waste and the production of fertilizer alone makes worm farms make sense. Whether you live in a big city or out in the country or somewhere in between, worm farming is easy and fun
Do You Have What it Takes?
It doesn't take much to start a worm farm. First, of course, you need somewhere to put the worms. It should be a bin with a few holes for ventilation. For most families, a bin that is 1 foot by 2 feet by 4 feet is big enough. For small apartments, a five gallon bucket will do. That's about a square foot of space in a worm bin per household member.
Second, start off with some bedding for your worms to make a home in. Shredded newspaper or cardboard, dampened, makes a great home. Mix it with a few handfuls of soil, a handful of sand, and leaves. Worm farms that are most successful will mimic what the surface of the earth looks like, with leaves on top for example.
Now the worms. Eisenia foetida is the Latin, scientific name for worms most often used for worm farms, while Red Wiggler is the name most people use. You should have about two pounds of worms, from hatchlings to full grown, to start your worm farm. They like cool, moist environments, and take about a month to get used to their new home.
Caring for Your Worm Farm
Once you've given your worms time to get settled, now it's time to feed them. Start using half the bin. Add a bit of food (they like vegetable and fruit trimmings, eggs shells crushed up, crushed oyster shells for calcium, or pretty much any food waste that's not meat) to one section at a time, and work it in just a little bit. Feed your worms every few days or so.
After about six months, you'll have compost in the half of the bin you've been feeding. Now it's time to swith to feeding the other half. After a few weeks of feeding the new half, most of the worms will be over on that side and you can harvest the compost from the first half of the bin. This is great for gardens, potted plants, or anything that grows in soil.
If you find fruit flies in your bin, it means the bin is too wet. Add some shredded, clean newspaper to help even out the moisture content. If it smells, that means there's too much food; just work the soil a bit for ventilation and stop feeding until the smell is gone.
There you have it! Worm farms are easy to set up and maintain, and can be a fun way to dispose of waste and create some really great fertilizer.
About the Author
Robert Usher owns and operates http://www.WORMS-FARM.COM Worm Farming Whether you want to educate the kids, make compost, or raise worms for bait check this out
Worm Farms: A Practical Guide
Why Worm Farms?
Worms make great pets. They don't make a lot of noise, they never need to be walked, they eat our garbage, and they make valuable compost. Disposal of food waste and the production of fertilizer alone makes worm farms make sense. Whether you live in a big city or out in the country or somewhere in between, worm farming is easy and fun
Do You Have What it Takes?
It doesn't take much to start a worm farm. First, of course, you need somewhere to put the worms. It should be a bin with a few holes for ventilation. For most families, a bin that is 1 foot by 2 feet by 4 feet is big enough. For small apartments, a five gallon bucket will do. That's about a square foot of space in a worm bin per household member.
Second, start off with some bedding for your worms to make a home in. Shredded newspaper or cardboard, dampened, makes a great home. Mix it with a few handfuls of soil, a handful of sand, and leaves. Worm farms that are most successful will mimic what the surface of the earth looks like, with leaves on top for example.
Now the worms. Eisenia foetida is the Latin, scientific name for worms most often used for worm farms, while Red Wiggler is the name most people use. You should have about two pounds of worms, from hatchlings to full grown, to start your worm farm. They like cool, moist environments, and take about a month to get used to their new home.
Caring for Your Worm Farm
Once you've given your worms time to get settled, now it's time to feed them. Start using half the bin. Add a bit of food (they like vegetable and fruit trimmings, eggs shells crushed up, crushed oyster shells for calcium, or pretty much any food waste that's not meat) to one section at a time, and work it in just a little bit. Feed your worms every few days or so.
After about six months, you'll have compost in the half of the bin you've been feeding. Now it's time to swith to feeding the other half. After a few weeks of feeding the new half, most of the worms will be over on that side and you can harvest the compost from the first half of the bin. This is great for gardens, potted plants, or anything that grows in soil.
If you find fruit flies in your bin, it means the bin is too wet. Add some shredded, clean newspaper to help even out the moisture content. If it smells, that means there's too much food; just work the soil a bit for ventilation and stop feeding until the smell is gone.
There you have it! Worm farms are easy to set up and maintain, and can be a fun way to dispose of waste and create some really great fertilizer.
About the Author
Robert Usher owns and operates http://www.WORMS-FARM.COM Worm Farming Whether you want to educate the kids, make compost, or raise worms for bait check this out
Easiest Way to Start a Worm Farm
If you have no idea how to start of worm farm this is the article you need to read! Worm farming doesn't take a lot of work and isn't time consuming but it can be a fun hobby and one that kids especially enjoy.
Worm farming requires very little supplies and most can be found in your household. You don't need a large yard either. I small yard will do.
Worm Farms are a way for the everyday household to be environmentally friendly. In this article, we are going to discuss what a worm farm is and the benefits of worm farming.
A worm farm is often used to decompose food scraps or other items and the resulting worm castings or Vermicompost is used to fertilize a garden, grass, or other area. This worm compost is extremely rich in nutrients and therefore valuable to anyone seeking an organic, 100% natural, alternative to commercial fertilizers. The most commom types of worms to use for a worm farm or worm composting are Red Wiggler Worms (Esienia foetida) or Red Earthworms (Lumbricus rubellas).
A worm farm can be produced in small scale or large scale. There are many commercial worm farms that sell both the worms and the Vermicompost (worm castings). This organic compost is highly sought after.
However, worm farms can be started in your own backyard, garage, or even the kitchen on a small scale! Worm farm bins (i.e. Vermiculture bins or composting bins) can certainly be purchased from other worm farms or commercial compost bin manufacturers. However, worms are very resilient and therefore a number of containers are suitable for starting a small scale worm farm; including, plastic bins, buckets, wooden crates, metal containers, and many other common items. For more details on suitable containers, visit our worm bin page.
Red Wiggler Worms and Red Earthworms can handle all sorts of common kitchen scraps, such as:
* Vegetable peels
* Leftovers
* Fruit (no the peels however)
* Moldy bread
* Coffee Grounds
* Coffee Filters
* Tea bags
Most households will be able to significantly reduce the amount of waste they are putting in the garbage can by feeding their worms! Therefore, you are doing your part to keep our landfills from growing out of control. The resulting organic compost from your worm poop can also help you harvest a fruitful garden, have a green lawn, or have healthy house plants, and much more.
Want to learn more about worm farms? Visit My Worm Farms
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Spencer_Ray
Worm farming requires very little supplies and most can be found in your household. You don't need a large yard either. I small yard will do.
Start a Worm Farm!
Worm Farms are a way for the everyday household to be environmentally friendly. In this article, we are going to discuss what a worm farm is and the benefits of worm farming.
A worm farm is often used to decompose food scraps or other items and the resulting worm castings or Vermicompost is used to fertilize a garden, grass, or other area. This worm compost is extremely rich in nutrients and therefore valuable to anyone seeking an organic, 100% natural, alternative to commercial fertilizers. The most commom types of worms to use for a worm farm or worm composting are Red Wiggler Worms (Esienia foetida) or Red Earthworms (Lumbricus rubellas).
A worm farm can be produced in small scale or large scale. There are many commercial worm farms that sell both the worms and the Vermicompost (worm castings). This organic compost is highly sought after.
However, worm farms can be started in your own backyard, garage, or even the kitchen on a small scale! Worm farm bins (i.e. Vermiculture bins or composting bins) can certainly be purchased from other worm farms or commercial compost bin manufacturers. However, worms are very resilient and therefore a number of containers are suitable for starting a small scale worm farm; including, plastic bins, buckets, wooden crates, metal containers, and many other common items. For more details on suitable containers, visit our worm bin page.
Red Wiggler Worms and Red Earthworms can handle all sorts of common kitchen scraps, such as:
* Vegetable peels
* Leftovers
* Fruit (no the peels however)
* Moldy bread
* Coffee Grounds
* Coffee Filters
* Tea bags
Most households will be able to significantly reduce the amount of waste they are putting in the garbage can by feeding their worms! Therefore, you are doing your part to keep our landfills from growing out of control. The resulting organic compost from your worm poop can also help you harvest a fruitful garden, have a green lawn, or have healthy house plants, and much more.
Want to learn more about worm farms? Visit My Worm Farms
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Spencer_Ray
Worm Farm Predators
Unfortunately worm farm predators are a real threat to the worm farmer, however, not all predators are that obvious. You built your worm farm so ignoring predators and letting the animals snack on or chemical harm your worms isn't going to fly.
Various birds love to eat worms, so do foxes, hedgehogs, leeches, toads, beetles, snakes, and a great many parasites, so that's the first worry when protecting your worms.
Another problem is in what you feed your worms, which may be the manure you probably get from livestock farms. The problem with that is is that those livestock take a lot of different medications and if you're not aware of what they are could affect your worms in a negative manner the medications may not always be completely digested and so the residue stacks up in the compost, which then goes to your worms.
To protect your worm bins you need to make sure they drain properly so that water is replaced. Stale water becomes contaminated over time, eventually causing harm to your worms so you also need to be careful about drainage material you use. There are those who opt to use shredded cardboard but some of the cardboard might have become contaminated by pesticides, which ultimately will affect your worms.
Yet another factor is what other predators consume the feeds you give to your worms since worms eat a lot and if the feed supply allotted to them is eaten by another predator then your worms won't be eating as they should be. Even supposing the predator isn't actually after the worms, the consequence is the same: your worm produce will rapidly decline. One specific problem here is the inevitable existence of raccoons on your farm because they tend to find their way into all kinds of containers, hidden or not and are able to open door latches.
Anyone who has birds on the farm with your worms there's no problem with the birds so long as you can keep them from finding interest in your worms. So you should find ways to keep the birds fed in areas away from your worms, to keep them from getting nosy and finally finding your worms and eating them.
The remaining type of predator neither consume worm feeds and it doesn't live on your farm. If your worm farm is found in or is even near a heavily populated area, this predator could be a human being, a thief or interlopers or nosy neighbors. So make sure your doors are not that easy to pick, and your fences are difficult to jump over so it's harder to steal worms from your farm.
Various birds love to eat worms, so do foxes, hedgehogs, leeches, toads, beetles, snakes, and a great many parasites, so that's the first worry when protecting your worms.
Another problem is in what you feed your worms, which may be the manure you probably get from livestock farms. The problem with that is is that those livestock take a lot of different medications and if you're not aware of what they are could affect your worms in a negative manner the medications may not always be completely digested and so the residue stacks up in the compost, which then goes to your worms.
To protect your worm bins you need to make sure they drain properly so that water is replaced. Stale water becomes contaminated over time, eventually causing harm to your worms so you also need to be careful about drainage material you use. There are those who opt to use shredded cardboard but some of the cardboard might have become contaminated by pesticides, which ultimately will affect your worms.
Yet another factor is what other predators consume the feeds you give to your worms since worms eat a lot and if the feed supply allotted to them is eaten by another predator then your worms won't be eating as they should be. Even supposing the predator isn't actually after the worms, the consequence is the same: your worm produce will rapidly decline. One specific problem here is the inevitable existence of raccoons on your farm because they tend to find their way into all kinds of containers, hidden or not and are able to open door latches.
Anyone who has birds on the farm with your worms there's no problem with the birds so long as you can keep them from finding interest in your worms. So you should find ways to keep the birds fed in areas away from your worms, to keep them from getting nosy and finally finding your worms and eating them.
The remaining type of predator neither consume worm feeds and it doesn't live on your farm. If your worm farm is found in or is even near a heavily populated area, this predator could be a human being, a thief or interlopers or nosy neighbors. So make sure your doors are not that easy to pick, and your fences are difficult to jump over so it's harder to steal worms from your farm.
4 Steps to Worm Farm Success
Here's four easy to follow steps for worm farming success! Worm farms are inexpensive to make and most supplies can already be found at your house.
4 Simple Steps to a Successful Worm Farm
The best location for your Worm Farm should be a well shaded section of your garden. Worms prefer a cold, moist area so open sunshine is a definite no.
Now you have your area set up, your worms will something to eat. Worms are the totally opposite to humans, they will eat most things that we throw away. Old vegetables, fruit peelings, bread, egg shells and general meal waste are great for worm food. The smaller you can make the food, the better. As you know, worms are small creatures so anything big will be difficult for them to digest. They also like soiled paper or cardboard such as torn egg cartons. Worms do not like fish or meat, cheese or butter, generally foods that are oily, very smelly or have strong odours.
You have two options when it comes to the actual worm farm; you can buy one or build one yourself. There are 3 levels to a worm farm, each with holes in the bottom to drain moisture and allow good air flow. Each level should be about 30cm deep, 60cm wide and 90cm long. A suitable covering for the top layer is required to keep out unwanted animals and to keep it dry. A drip tray is needed at the very bottom to catch all the water. A varied amount of compost mixed with wet paper and leaves gives a great bed for the worm farm. Add about 1000 worms once you are happy with the soiled area. Ordinary worms cannot be used, you will need to buy them from your local garden centre. Spread them evenly and allow them to burrow into the soil. Add your kitchen waste in small amounts, always keeping the cover on when finished. Don't overcrowd the worm farm with food, if they haven't eaten the previous waste, don't add more until it's gone.
After a few days, the worms will have made their way into the top layer leaving their castings in the lower layer. You can use this layer to fertilize your garden. When you remove the compost, simply replace it with fresh soil, cardboard and papers and allow the worms to mix it up again.
Written by Glen Buchanan, How to Make a Worm Farm. Discover how to create your own DIY Worm Farm with minimal effort and cost.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_Buchanan
4 Simple Steps to a Successful Worm Farm
The best location for your Worm Farm should be a well shaded section of your garden. Worms prefer a cold, moist area so open sunshine is a definite no.
Now you have your area set up, your worms will something to eat. Worms are the totally opposite to humans, they will eat most things that we throw away. Old vegetables, fruit peelings, bread, egg shells and general meal waste are great for worm food. The smaller you can make the food, the better. As you know, worms are small creatures so anything big will be difficult for them to digest. They also like soiled paper or cardboard such as torn egg cartons. Worms do not like fish or meat, cheese or butter, generally foods that are oily, very smelly or have strong odours.
You have two options when it comes to the actual worm farm; you can buy one or build one yourself. There are 3 levels to a worm farm, each with holes in the bottom to drain moisture and allow good air flow. Each level should be about 30cm deep, 60cm wide and 90cm long. A suitable covering for the top layer is required to keep out unwanted animals and to keep it dry. A drip tray is needed at the very bottom to catch all the water. A varied amount of compost mixed with wet paper and leaves gives a great bed for the worm farm. Add about 1000 worms once you are happy with the soiled area. Ordinary worms cannot be used, you will need to buy them from your local garden centre. Spread them evenly and allow them to burrow into the soil. Add your kitchen waste in small amounts, always keeping the cover on when finished. Don't overcrowd the worm farm with food, if they haven't eaten the previous waste, don't add more until it's gone.
After a few days, the worms will have made their way into the top layer leaving their castings in the lower layer. You can use this layer to fertilize your garden. When you remove the compost, simply replace it with fresh soil, cardboard and papers and allow the worms to mix it up again.
Written by Glen Buchanan, How to Make a Worm Farm. Discover how to create your own DIY Worm Farm with minimal effort and cost.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_Buchanan
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