
08 Sep Worm Farms
Most Worm Farms lack the essential oxygen element necessary for healthy biology in which micro bacteria and worms thrive. It is essential to create an environment of natural or as close to as possible natural organic materials within a worm farm. Worms are the ‘physical’ second stage phase and function best after the initial ‘chemical‘ phase i.e. when billions of microorganisms have decomposed the organic waste.
Oxygen Food Moisture
Oxygen or air flowing through a worm farm sets up an aerobic environment to support food waste breaking down. Even when a ‘flow through’ worm farm is full to capacity air is drawn through by the action of decomposing material. This action or microorganism activity causes heat within the upper layer and the difference in pressure pulls the air in.
Food – In nature compost worms consume dead organic waste on the surface of the ground under the cover and protection from UV light. It is easy to replicate these conditions by covering your food waste with materials such as cardboard, newspaper etc. Light affects their nervous system and an uncovered worm farm delays the consumption of food.
Moisture – Worms depend on moisture to carry sperm across their outer skin to the opposing worms female sex organ. They can loose up to 60% of urine daily and oddly enough obtain oxygen from water.
Temperature
Compost worms thrive in a temperature range of 60 to 80 degrees farenheight or 16 to 26C. An ideal range is closer to the warmer side. Hard wired propagating mats can achieve a regulated heat however a cheaper alternative is to introduce fresh mowed grass clippings or fresh animal manures. Note: Fresh grass/manures become very hot quickly and by placing a mini windrow rather than covering the whole surface will enable the worms to migrate too the warmth or retreat from it if necessary.
In natural habitat, composting worms don’t live in coir fibre or peat that is void of micro nutrients, they don’t live in plastic containers nor do they defy gravity to leap up to another medium. They thrive in Compost which is rich in micronutrients populated by infanant numbers of bacteria, micorizal funghi, nematodes, protozoa, actinomycetes, beetle mites, roundworms, centipedes to name a few which all play a part in turning organic material into a food source.
This oxygen or ‘aerobic’ element is a feature of the wormz farm, it occurs naturally as a ‘flow through’ system’ and functions to supply a constant source of air vital to a healthy biology of composting worms.
Claerwen Jones
Posted at 12:21h, 14 SeptemberFood, moisture and oxygen are vital for healthy, happy worms and it is great how the Wormz Farm can easily provide all three factors. Plus it looks very attractive. I also really like the window box planter accessories. Congratulations Tony!
ashywormz
Posted at 12:32h, 14 SeptemberThank you Claerwen. Don’t forget to add a small amount of vermicast to your flowers/vegies in the planters.
Jack Reacher
Posted at 12:23h, 14 SeptemberThanks very much Tony for the worm farm and worms. The farm is working beautifully in turning my waste into fntastic vermicompost for my garden. I appreciate all the extra information you gave me. Cheers
ashywormz
Posted at 12:29h, 14 SeptemberThanks Jack. Information is easy to give.
Liz
Posted at 14:36h, 14 SeptemberThanks Tony for this information. It’s really helpful!
ashywormz
Posted at 22:23h, 14 SeptemberGlad you likes it.
Helen Hudson
Posted at 23:23h, 14 SeptemberThanks Tony,
Very informative! I’m new at composting and enjoying watching my new worm farm develop. Keep up the good work!
ashywormz
Posted at 23:27h, 14 SeptemberThanks Helen
Pheebee Smith
Posted at 23:30h, 14 SeptemberHi Tony
I’m very passionate about composting and look forward to getting one of your worm farms.. I’ll let you know how I go!
ashywormz
Posted at 23:32h, 14 SeptemberThank you Pheebee. If we all composted we would reduce green house gases.
Rodrigo Vidal
Posted at 09:30h, 15 SeptemberHi Tony, great information. Can’t wait to get ours.
ashywormz
Posted at 19:37h, 15 SeptemberThanks Roy
Dan Darcy
Posted at 09:33h, 15 SeptemberGreat info here, thanks Tony! Plenty here to think about when creating a happy home for your wormz…..look forward to your next post!
ashywormz
Posted at 19:37h, 15 SeptemberThanks Dan
Lauren Murphy
Posted at 05:11h, 18 SeptemberThanks Tony, a great read. It all makes sense now, my worms need more oxygen!
ashywormz
Posted at 01:51h, 20 SeptemberThank you Lauren I am glad you enjoyed reading it.
Leon
Posted at 04:17h, 21 SeptemberThank you Tony for the information and I look forward to future posts.
Leon
Posted at 04:19h, 21 SeptemberThanks Tony for the information. I have one of your farms and was wondering why it works so well.
ashywormz
Posted at 12:42h, 21 SeptemberThank you Leon. Not only is the oxygen flow-through part of the reason but being able to access the vermicompost cleanly and easily without disturbing the worm activity above is a key benefit of this farm.
Marshall J Barker
Posted at 01:17h, 02 OctoberHi Tony,
I really like your site. It clearly lists the products that you have available and reading the posts in the forum helps me to better understand how the process works. Good work.
ashywormz
Posted at 11:11h, 02 OctoberThank you Marshall
Rod Gill
Posted at 08:01h, 03 OctoberHi Tony,
Thanks for the helpful information on your site.
I now know the requirements for sustaining and increasing the worm population in a Worm Farm.
ashywormz
Posted at 08:53h, 03 OctoberThanks Rod. I am glad you know. It would be great if more people knew.
Just composting an average families food waste from the kitchen is the equivalent to running up to 2 cars Carbon Neutral in One year!
Myra reynolds
Posted at 10:13h, 03 OctoberHi Tony – Interesting info on worms especially about the oxygen no wonder my worms are doing so well. Thanks.
ashywormz
Posted at 10:31h, 03 OctoberThanks Myra. From memory I think you have had one of my Worm farms for two or three years? I am glad you continue to get good results.
Mitch
Posted at 03:59h, 17 OctoberHi Tony,
Thanks for all the help and information you gave me when I came to pick up my worms. You told me everything I need to know to keep my worms happy and thriving, and gave me some premium quality compost to get them started. I look forward to starting my worm farming journey. Cheers
ashywormz
Posted at 11:30h, 17 OctoberThank you Mitch, keep in touch.
Mark
Posted at 09:58h, 04 NovemberThese look like a great product, I can’t wait to get my hands on one. Thanks Tony for all of the infomation. My garden will never look the same.
ashywormz
Posted at 07:52h, 05 NovemberThanks Mark
Brian
Posted at 02:52h, 14 JanuaryGreat article Tony. It’s a good introduction into the basic fundamentals of worm farms. Time to expand my worm population! Cheers
ashywormz
Posted at 03:40h, 15 JanuaryThanks Brian
Kate Morton
Posted at 07:47h, 05 FebruaryDear Tony, My Worm Farm (we call it the worm castle) has transformed the soil in my garden. I’m now starting to supply my neighbours with the castings! Thank you so much.
ashywormz
Posted at 00:31h, 07 FebruaryThank you Katinka. The worm farm surprisingly produces a lot of castings!
ashywormz
Posted at 08:39h, 13 MayThank you for the response Kate.
Mark kelleher
Posted at 07:04h, 10 JuneInteresting article
Jacqui Horan
Posted at 05:26h, 24 OctoberThanks Tony,
Your customer service was great.
My kids and I are excited about our new pets.
Jacqui from Sandringham
Tony McCarthy
Posted at 10:18h, 24 OctoberThanks Jacqui
Gennaro Cozzi
Posted at 07:35h, 13 FebruaryThank you Tony, I really appreciated your expertise in the field. Under your supervision I am seeing my little worms farm taking shape; it is great! It is like to build up a family because as I am going to perceive it in depth, to get results you need to love it. Thank you again for your patience.
Best regards
Gennaro
Tony McCarthy
Posted at 02:12h, 14 FebruaryThank You Gennaro its a pleasure