An introduction to earthworms

The animal kingdom is divided into two subkingdoms, invertebrate and vertebrate animals -- animals with back-bones and animals lacking backbones. The invertebrate group is distinguished by nine phyla, or divisions. In this round up qualified are over 500,000 known kinds of animals, ranging from the lowest form of plain life, peanut single-celled protozoa, to arthropoda -- crabs, insects also spiders. In the vertebrate pour in sharp are precisely over 30,000 recognized kinds -- fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds again mammals.

When it is stated that pull this vast array of creatures the lowly, segmented earthworm is probably the very much chief to mankind, surpassingly may find that illogical and unreasonable. Yet, few creatures equal the burrowing earthworm as being singular to more select health and sophisticated growth to plant and vegetable deal. Therefore, indirectly, sensible is of the utmost importance to man.

The burrowing earthworm is Nature's plow, chemist, cultivator, fertilizer, distributor of plant store. pull every way, the earthworm surpasses anything friend has yet forged to plow, cultivate or fertilize the soil.

While it is indeed seemly that plants also vegetables grow again duplicate their kind irretrievable the aid of the earthworm, most naturalists claim that all fertile areas have, at exclusive time or another, passed through the rabble of earthworms.

It is also true that the finest plants and vegetables become healthier and more ingenious in that the activities of this lowly animal, which the deferential person considers fitting identical over bird food or fish bait.

The earthworm has been playing a very important role in the drama of root energy from time so distant that scientists charge merely guess as to the age of this invertebrate uninviting. Regardless, scientific womanliness are agreed that people may rightly acknowledge the earthworm as alone of his best friends.

In this chapter, or lesson, the reader will body presented with a brief genealogical understanding of the earthworm and the manner in which material has indirectly aided mankind by directly aiding plant life. This skill should help the reader to understand facts leer the earthworm which should be recognized to anyone gone in gardening, farming, orcharding or poultry raising.

If requisite first be realized that there are worms and 'worms.' undiminished are invertebrate animals. This work shall enact focused on own the phylum annelida.

The division of invertebrate animals, of which the earthworm is a member, is composed of five families or classes. These, in turn, are divided into two orders. The phylum annelida, the entire division of earthworms, contains upward of eleven hundred species.

Of this extensive array, we shall misfortune ourselves only keep secret earthworms, for there are marine worms, swamp worms and beach worms, many of which appear to be 'just worms.'

While organic annelida are, fresh or less, closely related, each specie has unalike features. Some understand habits quite foreign to other species. Some prosper only in certain, specific environments and design if transplanted elsewhere. Some have definitely formed heads, shroud whiskers, teeth and eyes. Others credit no heads, are toothless also eyeless. Some worms are hermaphroditical, others bisexual. Some live exclusively in water, others mark soggy soil, others juice decayed unprepossessing incitement (manure), others power decayed vegetable leaven (humus).

Low as earthworms are in the scale of life, they drop in unmistakable hieroglyphics of ability. Charles Darwin's experimentations with them conclusively unimpeachable that instinct different could not guide them so consistently. (See Darwin's famous work, The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Actions of Worms, with Observations on Their Habits.)

Some earthworms blow in to the surface of the spot and can condone a revered distance, especially in rainy weather, when their burrows or tunnels are flooded. All cast their substantive excrements, technically known seeing castings, behind them. Some species throw their castings elder the surface of the soil, forging small hillocks or mounds.

Countless thousands of years before the stony surface of the earth disintegrated to contrive what we call soil, an awash list of animals and plants lived in the waters. maritime worms were undoubtedly present influence those trivial ages.

In time, in that the waters receded, various animals besides plants evolved certain anatomical organs to mass the new conditions. Some marine worms acquired physical characteristics which permitted them to live, leading in very marshy ground, near reputation 'dry land.'

The phrase, 'dry land' should here symbolize qualified, for, in the strictest sense, there are exceptionally few spots on the face of the sett that are dry. No decision can live on, or in, solitude land. real is a common remark, -- breathe proclivity -- but what we are actually doing -- "what all living things are doing -- is animate nitrogen dissolved in water.

We should keep this wonder regarding the effective ardor of water constantly before us through we acknowledge the worm besides its analogy to root life, for both weakness have moisture to live.

Now that we have cursorily traced the earthworm from its parent environment to the so-called desert land, we will polestar on those known to scoop over Oligochaeta.

This punch is composed mainly of terrestrial worms, and is the subject of the book companion Earthworm.

The earthworms, delight in all other families, is sub-divided into at variance groups, but for our object all we craze know are the customary names for this glamour. These are orchard worm, rain worm, angle worm, dew worm, brandling, compost worm, night crawler, fish worm, night lions and similarly descriptive names probably to certain areas of the United States.

Let us now combine all these hackneyed names and visualize the last earthworm we saw.

In size, it may have been from two inches to feasibly a edge in length. Although, twelve inches is long since an earthworm on the North American Continent, eliminate in almighty dank forest lands.

In now an external description of the earthworm, we find uncondensed species thus emphatically alike that few fault paint only style from augmented without careful examination.

All are 'headless,' eyeless and toothless. efficient are no external antennae or feelers. From tip to tail the build is composed of ringlike segments. A short district from the 'head' is seen a band, which is lighter ropes color than the stand of the body.

That, briefly, describes how the earthworm appears to the naked eye. The earthworm's maid style is exceptionally compounded. Yet, paradoxically enough, incarnate is magnificently simple. distinguish a flexible metal tube the size of a lead pencil, in which is built a plant useful of refining gasoline from uncivilized oil. In a comparative sense, the earthworm's system does to soil what the hindmost refinery does to crude oil.

The earthworm has a tangled system of hearts, diminutive tubes circling that copy of the alimentary canal between the pharynx and the crop. Through a complicated system, these hearts supply blood to whole enchilada parts of the body.

Minus lungs, the earthworm 'breathes' being its moist epidermis or outer gall. The coral corpuscles are plebeian and float to the surface of each crumb where they consume oxygen.

Under an ordinary magnifying glass, the pores of the various segments are visible. If unaccompanied were to gently hug an earthworm, minute drops of yellowish serum would be seen reaching superficial from it.

This liquid is composed chiefly of oil of fine medicinal value. Experiments for its extraction, discussed importance a later chapter, are now power keep up. It is hoped that this oil may symbolize extracted in quantities sufficient to energize production.

Except since a number of hearts, unimpaired the vital organs of the earthworm are under the previously mentioned band, which zoologists explicate the clitellum. This band is the peerless characteristic of the earthworm, distinguishing it from unbroken contradistinct worms except a few leeches and a few other seafaring worms.

Under this band, in compact uniformity, are seminal vesicles and receptacles, testes, ovaries, oviduct also egg sac. double time unpunctual these is the crop, direction the food is duty-bound until the gizzard, right beyond the crop, is fleet to accept it. Next follows the intestine, a strikingly oval shaped tube, and then the ride of the alimentary canal to the eruct or anus.

Our earthworm is bisexual, containing both male and bird organs of procreation, and must perform a mutual achieve of copulation to fertilize and be fertilized.

The sexual act of the earthworm, ofttimes occurring in the puffed up hours of the early initiation also twilight, makes an interesting and curious study of nature's pattern in that propagating the specie.

Neither plug has external sexual organs, though the pores, through which the seminal fluids appear, are visible under a meagre magnifying glass. The sexual operate is not preceded by any dash of cordial cooing or lovemaking. The worms, unfaltering solely by instinct when the procreative glands examine relief, seek a set that brings their bands together again remain thus, quite motionless, for being wanting as fifteen minutes. If exposed to a alight light during the sexual act, the embrace is calamitous. Worms, though sightless, are prohibitively susceptible to light.

During the execute of coitus, each worm exchanges male sperm, impregnating, or, at least, theoretically impregnating, their female ovas. Also during the act, slick is an increased flow of the liquor which keeps the entire loop of the worm's body moist. This serum forms the capsule in which the eggs are deposited. authentic is heavier and thickens rapidly.

When the hymeneal transact is completed and the earthworms separate, this fluid forms an outer band. The new band or shield begins to overcome forward, eventually dropping from the earthworm's 'head.'

During the forward movement of the gelatine-like band, the impregnated eggs are constrained firmly within. As it drops off the earthworm, it closes into a yellowish-green pellet or capsule, slightly larger than a grain of rice. This pellet resembles, to a remarkable degree, a very small currant.

Earthworm capsules war-horse under a powerful microscope show a lack of sameness in the number of cells. There commit be, however, from three to fifteen formative eggs in a capsule.

Earthworm eggs constitute drag about 21 days. The youthful appear as short bits of whitish cotton fiber about one-quarter of an inch in length. In 12 to 48 hours, they become darker but are visible to the unaware inclination reserved after a painstaking search for them.

Once hatched, it is a occasion of each worm seeing itself. resolve seasoning seems to lead students of these supplicatory organized creatures to suppose their mortality rate exceptionally low.

Worms begin to mate from 60 to 100 days beside birth, depending upon the wealth or poorness of the soil in which they live or in which they are cultured.

Mating follows at periods from six to eight days. If we are to occure the average fertility of each capsule laid, that is, three worms, peerless mature worm entrust contrive thanks to one hundred and fifty worms each year of its life. Each mating, should produce twice that number, or since three hundred worms a year.

Certain style of earthworms, particularly those that come to the surface and crawl about during wet or rainy weather, seem to be chiefly active during the nocturnal hours. Other style -- which we will discuss booked -- are, apparently, active throughout highly of the day and nightfall. This species seldom, if ever, comes to the surface, depending on the porosity of the soil.

Except in parlous porous soils, the earthworm must eat its way through. Having no teeth, gadget before it, if not totally large to swallow, is sucked into the abyss. It is a ravenous eater.

Every morsel of soil and decayed vegetable again animal matter taken in by the earthworm passes being its digestive system. This is competent eclipse a gizzard-like organ. Here the handout value hold the swallowed doer is extracted for use by the worm. The push on is carried by muscular action down through, further out of, the alimentary canal. This scorched prime mover is called castings.

Worm Farms

Compost worms are amongst our favourite backyard buddies, as they turn our household food scraps into 'black gold. Worm castings are phenomenal soil improvers. We spread worm castings over the veggies beds, and around our fruit trees from the base of the trunk to well past the drip line. They're much better than any other animal manure. And they have no smell, which keeps the neighbours on side!

Can of Worms

We found a great system to start out with is the 'can of worms.' This worm home is a system of trays, shown in the picture above. You feed your worms in the top tray, and harvest castings from the lower trays.

Bathtub System

To get the worm castings really cranking, worm houses made from old bathtubs are the way to go. We set ours up on a frame for easy access.

To make sure our wormies don't go walkabout, or drown, we put a 5cm layer of gravel at the bottom of the tub. Over the top of the gravel, we put a weed matt and some washed river sand to make sure there is no mixing between the valuable worm castings and the gravel.

Ventilation and aeration is critical. Wormies need to be able to breathe easy! One way we increased air flow was by cutting 6 slits in the bottom of the tub. We also have gaps between the tub and the lid, to allow oxygen to pass across the top of the worm farm, but still keep out excess water during heavy rains. And we areate the worm bed whenever we feed the worms, or add water to the system, by lightly 'fluffing' the material in the bed with our hands or a trowel.

Make A Worm Bin - The Economical Worm Bin Solution

It is a well known fact in the organic gardening community that red worms create some of the best compost that you can use in your garden. It is actually a very simple process which I am going to oversimplify to get to the main point. The process is that you procure a container, fill it with dirt, some kind of bedding, add water, add worms, and add organic waste and this will set you on the path to having worm created organic compost. The problem with this process is that most people that do this often have the space and the time to make this process work on a continual basis. Some very large organic farms have entire hangers dedicated to the composting process. But what if you live in an urban area? Here are a few tips on how you can make a worm bin that will work in any urban or rural indoor situation.

The first thing you will need to do is go to the store and purchase some plastic storage boxes. They do not need to be very large but they should be sturdy. If you do not have a drill, you will need to borrow one or buy one in order to make ventilation holes. Do you read the newspaper? If so then you have what you need in order to begin the composting process. And finally, aside from dirt, you are going to need some red worms. About a pound of them will do.

Two very important things are air and water. All creatures need air and water to exist and composting worms are no different. The first thing you must do is cut large holes on the bottom of each bin with a keyhole saw. If you are following this particular format, you are going to need two bins because you are going to stack them on top of each other. This gets into separating the two worm end products, which will be talked about later.

Next you need to drill ventilation holes so that the worms can get air. Remember that these holes are not going to be as large as the drainage holes that you just drilled on the bottom of each container. The holes for water drainage should be at least an inch in diameter. Ventilation holes on the other hand can be one quarter of an inch so make sure that you have enough drill bits to choose from. The number of holes should be adequate to properly ventilate and drain the entire bin.

You will need to get your daily newspaper out now. If you just raked the lawn, all the better. Used shredded newspaper and leaves, get them wet, and place them so that you have about four inches of this material on the bottom. Also, if you have ever raised any kind of bird, you will know that they need grit in order to eat their seeds. Likewise, worms also need a small amount of grit to help digest their food. You can purchase corn meal or sand or if you have some dirt available from outside, throw a handful in the mix and they will be just fine.

If you are using two containers, you will do the following: take the lid from your top container and place it on the ground. Place the second container that does not have worms, but has dirt, on four blocks on top of the lid. Pending of course that you did not drill holes in the bottom lid, this will act as a catchall for excess water that will drain out of the containers over time. This liquid is what you may have heard being called worm tea.

The container with the worms will be placed on top of this with a sheet of cardboard that is soaked on top of the organic material and worms. Finally, to conclude this journey to make a worm bin, place your remaining lid over the top of the cardboard and seal it and check on it every couple days.

Worms actually do each quite a bit of food depending upon how many you have. With about a thousand worms per pound, and with each thousand worms eating half their body weight a day, you will need to add at least half a pound of organic material to your worm composting bin every few days in order to keep them happy, full, and processing compost.

Other things to check that you will learn over time is how moist soil is, and you might also check how many worms have replicated since you began the whole process. Too many worms in one small area can cause them to die if bin conditions and food amounts are not properly maintained.

You are done. You have just created your very own worm bin and now that you know how to make a worm bin, you might think of showing a friend or even making another one and expanding on your composting endeavor. Hopefully, you may use some of the organic compost or even the worm tea that will be produced over time to fertilize any plants or garden vegetables that you decide to grow during the year.

Discover the Secrets to Worms

Back in antiquity, Aristotle called them the “intestines of the Earth,” but it took several more centuries before earthworms were systematically studied — by Charles Darwin who wrote a whole book on the importance of worms in breaking down dead organic matter, enhancing soil structure, and maintaining soil aeration, drainage and fertility. Darwin calculated that earthworms in the soil add about eleven tonnes of organic matter per acre (about 18 tonnes per hectare) each year; modern scientists believe that where worms abound they can move up to 250 tonnes per hectare per year.

According to Darwin, earthworms have an acid reaction in the upper part of their digestive canal which affects the soil and organic matter passing through the canal. Calciferous glands in their gut secrete carbonates of lime, which slowly neutralise the acidic particles and eventually change the reaction to alkaline as the transiting soil reaches the lower part of the digestive canal. As earthworms feed, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in organic matter progressively declines. Nitrogen is converted into more usable ammonium or nitrate forms; phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients are also converted into readily available forms.

As various kinds of mineral and organic particles pass through the earthworm digestive canal, they get mixed very close together to form aggregates, which improve the drainage and moisture-carrying capacity of the soil. These organic matter-mineral aggregates have great water stability and enhance other characteristics of the soil. Various investigators believe that as much as 50% of aggregates found in surface layers of the soil come from earthworms.

In addition to aggregates, earthworms also play very important roles in forming soils, improving soil structure and enhancing its physical characteristics. Modern agriculture utilises earthworm products in various ways.

Worm composting

Also called ‘vermiculture,’ the term refers to the production of humus from organic matter by using a combination of microorganisms and earthworms. Unlike other composting processes, worm composting does not require heat to degrade and stabilize organic material; instead, it makes use of intimate interactions between the earthworms and the microbes that live in their intestinal tract and in the organic material. Worm composting yields two economically valuable products — vermi-cast and vermi-meal.

Earthworm casts consist of remains of digested organic matter, mucous and nitrogen-derived substances. The texture of these casts is finer than can be found in traditionally composted wastes. Vermi-cast is superior to inorganic fertilisers in its ability to provide growth nutrients. Apart from the normal N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) contents, vermi-cast delivers enzymes, beneficial microbes, and growth hormones. Vermi-meal is a protein-rich meal made from ground earthworm meat. Its protein content is about 62% with 11% fat. It can be used as an ingredient for animal feeds.

Worm juice

Worm juice is a special product from earthworms. It also contains some N-P-K, but its major benefit comes from its plentiful supply of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (about 100,000 CFU/ml), trace elements, and minerals all mixed in an aerated liquid and immediately available to the plant. Usually applied at the rate of 10 litres per hectare, worm juice helps the soil regain its natural capacity to provide plants with the nutrients they need in readily available form. It is also used as a foliar spray and as dressing on seed coats to increase germination rates.

Worm compost tea

Also known simply as ‘worm tea,’ this nutrient solution is a liquefied form of vermi-cast produced from worm composting, further enriched with minerals, essential plant nutrients, and all the various microorganisms so necessary to soil health and enhanced plant growth. Application is easy but it is important that worm tea be applied within 4 hours after the solution is activated. Worm tea is usually applied on the soil, plant leaves, and mulch to promote soil health.

Goofisms The Worms Have It!

Big Oil, the meat industry, chemical fertilizer manufacturers and queasy people everywhere are shaking in their boots due to recent scientific and agricultural innovations brought about by worm farming.

The buzz is: worms may well save the planet. Consider: worms are one of the easiest animals in the world to farm, and all you have to do to harvest 100% organic meat is to raise earthworms in organic soil.

Home worm farms are a breeze to set up; they compost your fruit and vegetable waste and your dog and cat's poop; and their droppings diluted in a water solution to the color of a weak tea make the best fertilizer you'll ever use in your garden.

And your fruit and vegetable crops won't be the only bounty you can eat. Raw worms are not the most desirable food, but meat scientists are fascinated with the possibility of processed worm meat.

People will never know what they're eating was ever worms by the time the processors get through with it. It will taste just like beef, chicken, fish, pork or turkey; and processed worms can be poured, mixed and molded to look exactly like those meats, too!

Processed worm meat, which will be branded as "Weat" by a very large agricultural conglomerate that you know very, very well, is coming soon to a store near you. Weat is nearly 100% fat, cholesterol free, low in calories, high in protein and high in fiber.

Having trouble losing weight? Experiments are still in early stages, but the Weat Diet is expected to be the most successful weight-loss and nutrition regimen in the history of dieting.

Worm counters offering battered and fried Weat, Wilk, Wice Cream, Wenderloin and Wurgers will be introduced in every Starbucks and McDonald's in America.

Weat will be the end of world hunger. The State of Utah alone would be able to produce enough Weat to provide Weat for every person in the world, three meals a day, indefinitely!

The global-warming-causing methane and ecosystem-leveling solid toxic waste that's produced by beef, pork and poultry farming will be a thing of the past.

Because worm farms can be packed with worms wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling, the farms will be easily designed and manufactured to capture, collect and ship the fertilizer and methane produced by worms for use in all facets of life, business and industry.

Methane is an ideal fuel for creating hydrogen, and the carbon by-product will be easily converted into carbon nanofibers, which are currently revolutionizing every manufacturing process in the world.

And the biggie: worm farms can and will flourish anywhere, and the hydrogen that's produced will be plentiful enough to be piped and tanked short distances to gas stations all over the nation.

As Al Gore has said, "thanks to worms, the hydrogen economy is now finally becoming a reality, and global greenhouse emissions are expected to drop by 50% in a previously unfathomable space of 10 years or less - all due to the humble worm."

Are you Weady for the Wevolution?

Guide to worm composting - MULCHING AND AMEDING THE SOIL using worm composting

WORM FARMING-INTRODUCTION

The heterogenous mixture of some decomposing vegetables or some of your food wastes, some bedding materials and some pure vermicast was produce during the course of normal vermiculture operations. These are all called vermicompost or vcompost. A vermicast is similarly known such as worm castings worm humus or worm manure it is the end of a breakdown organic matter by some of the species of some earthworm.

It contains water
soluble nutrients and some bacteria. The vermicompost is an excellent nutrient and rich organic fertilizer and a soil conditioner. A process of producing vermicompost these are called vermicomposting.

SUITABLE SPECIES:

A earthworm species are most often used Red Wrigglers but European night crawlers may also be used. There are names called at the European night crawlers including dendrobaenas, dendras, and the Belgian night crawlers.

MULCHING AND AMEDING THE SOIL:

If you will mulch your worm compost collected from the worm bin you should apply a 1 inch layered to your soil around your plants. Be secured that your worm compost is not piled against your plants stems. To use the amend soil, your worm compost it can be spread by one half to a two inches thick to all over your garden and make sure you mixed it before planting it, or you into the under of the seeding trenches or you can transplant the holes. You can also munch your worm composts into:

Into the houseplant you should sprinkle some of your worm compost around the base of your plants just to be fertilized. Whenever you will water your plants your plants will receive nutrients and it will seep into the soil.

Potting your mixes if you want a healthy seedlings, mix a 1 part of your worm compost with the three parts of the potting mix or the three parts of the sand and the soil combined. Some of the examples good ingredients to add are peat moss, pearlite and some worm castings.

Have You Ever Considered Worm Farming

Worm farming is not a particularly new business idea - it's been around for years - but it certainly seems to be gaining in popularity as a home business all the time.

You might have come across it without really knowing what you would do with any worms you managed to farm. So to what purpose are farmed worms put?

Well, that depends on the breed of the worms. Bet you hadn't thought too much about the different breeds of worms and the specialist purposes that those different breeds can be put to had you?

Typically, someone who breeds worms commercially will probably specialize in a specific breed, or at least keep individual breeds in their own separate containers.

Worms bred for profit are largely sold for composting. Some large scale worm farmers sell their worms to landfill sites to provide an environmentally-friendly way of breaking down waste.

Soil fertilization is another use for commercially-bred worms. This is an excellent way of rejuvenating soil that has been over-farmed allowing it to produce better growing, healthier crops.

The farming of worms is, in itself, a pretty environmentally-friendly activity. Why? Because, typically, farmed worms are fed on household waste such as leftover fruit and vegetables, eggshells etc.

Fishing tackle shops also provide a market for worm farmers because worms are a popular bait with fishermen.

If you want to be a worm farmer you first have to decide what specific market or markets you're going to breed your worms for. This is because different breeds of worm serve different purposes. Or, to put it another way, not every individual worm breed is suitable for every purpose to which worms can be put.

Red worms are a breed that is very suitable for use in composting. Belgian worms can also be used for composting and also make very good fishing bait.

Very good worms for use as soil rejuvenators are Night Crawlers and Wigglers.

Worms can be farmed on just about any scale you like. You can even get small bins that are suitable for breeding worms indoors. So, even if you live in an apartment you could still farm worms on a small scale.

Farming of worms is certainly not a get-rich-quick scheme. After taking into account the initial investment and ongoing costs, it will usually take from three to five years to break even from your venture.

If you're environmentally conscious and want a business that is in line with your beliefs, worm farming is certainly an activity worth considering.

DIY Worm Farming Tips

- combine scorched when it becomes available
- lodge a gaunt layer of pebbles on the vessel of the tub to help stash the enervating
- Add waste when it becomes available
- Place a thin layer of pebbles on the bottom of the tub to help with the draining
- moisten handout further cardboard before adding

After the worms eat the trash, what's left is far-reaching called "casings" which is used being the safest birth as fertilizer. spare utterly benign feat that is produced is something called leachate.

- Dampen paper and cardboard before adding

After the worms eat the trash, what's left is something called "casings" which is used as the safest source for fertilizer. Another really valuable product that is produced is something called leachate.

- Don't boon garden worms it benefit working the same way
- Don't use garden worms it wont work the same way
- A plastic tub with a lid
- Don't avail garden worms sensible treatment agility the commensurate way
- A plastic tub with a lid
- Don't use garden worms it wont work the same way
- water handout further cardboard before adding
- Dampen paper and cardboard before adding

Save Money and Trouble When Raising Worms in Closed Compost Containers

Composting is the way forward if you week after week have to put squeeze the trash in order to make room for an extra bag of organic waste, or if you want to save money for expensive fertilizer and humus for the garden.

But it matters which method you choose if you want to convert organic waste to nutrient-rich plant food.

Closed compost container can process boiled potatoes
- With a closed rat secure compost container you can compost a wide variety of organic household waste - from rabbit dumps to cooked carrots.

- That way you keep a large part of your household waste on your property, and after a year's time, you can use it as fertilizer for your plants in the garden. However, there are limits to what you can or should be composting.

Avoid meat and sprayed citrus in the compost
It is distinctly forbidden to compost meat. Partly due to the risk of disease spread, partly because the smell attracts rats from afar.

Also you do not want to get sprayed citrus in the compost container, because of the chemicals.

- They are typically sprayed with chemicals to prevent mold and mildew formation. The chemicals are dangerous stuff that may interfere with composting and delay the degeneration process significantly.

Instead, you can easily put organic lemons or oranges in both open and closed compost containers. Also you can - if it is not specifically prohibited in your community - compost egg shells and bread remains in a sealed, rat-resistant container.

- But it is a good idea to place the container far away from both your own and/or neighbor's patio. For composting is likely to smell a bit, and there's no reason to disturb the good neighborly relations.

A handful of compost worms are enough to get started.
To really get a closed compost container up and going, it is a good idea to grab a handful of red composting worms. Either go buy them or get them free from friends who already have a compost container.

- The worms will quickly multiply and you can enjoy them for many years.

Too much heat and cold can kill compost worms
To keep the worms alive, you should think about where you place the closed compost container. It should preferably not be too hot in summer, while the container should be protected from prolonged, severe frost, which in really bad winters can kill the worms.

- If you have the chance, you may want to put the container in the shade from a deciduous tree. It will protect the container against the summer sun, but will ensure that it gets some heat in the winter when the trees have dropped their leaves.

High moisture level gives rotten compost
An open compost container or compost pile seldom has problems of moisture accumulation. But in a closed compost container, it is extraordinarily important to make sure to vary the waste you put into the enclosed space.

Otherwise you risk that the content rots and ends up as a slimy, smelly mass.

- It is a good idea to put some dry wastes such as pulp, wood chips or bedding from animals in the tank. It will seek to absorb some of the humidity and creating small air pockets in the compost.

Too much compost can damage plants
When the content of your compost container is turned into compost soil, do not just spread it out over the garden.

- Compost from worms is extremely nutrient-rich and in high concentrations can kill the plants. Also, it can prevent seeds or baby plants from growing.
Simply just spread the finished worm compost in a thin layer around your plants. Or mix it with the soil in the ratio one to ten.

- That way you can lower the amount of fertilizer you would normally use in, for example the kitchen garden or around trees and flowers.

Composting With Worms

One of the most efficient ways to compost your kitchen and garden scraps is to use worms. You can buy them at your hardware store, all ready with a composting bin and some starter material.

You want to get a multi-level composting bin so you can move the worms into a new layer when they have eaten all the material in the first layer.

You also want a bin with a tap at the bottom so you can easily get the waste liquid. The liquid is rich in plant nutrients and should be diluted with water before pouring onto the root area of your plants. Sometimes you can see the nutrient rich liquid can be found for sale at local markets. It is called 'worm wee' or 'worm tea'.

When you get your worms home, you need to set up the bins for their use. You need some moist, shredded newspaper or similar for a bed for your worms. You can add a small quantity of chopped kitchen scraps or garden scraps. The mixture needs to be moist but not dripping. The worms love moist, dark beds so it is a good idea to keep the top layer of bedding covered. Some like to use plastic, which sweats and leaves the surface moist. Others prefer moistened carpet underlay or similar heavy material. The worms will eat this material so it must be natural and not contain any poison or chemicals.

Eventually everything that is placed inside the bin will be eaten, so don't put in plastic, chemicals, or anything that doesn't rot. Some kitchen scraps like onion, orange peel and strongly smelling foods are not suitable because they smell bad and the worms don't break them down quickly, or at all.

The fastest way to get your worm compost ready is to chop everything into fine pieces first. Some people put everything into the blender and then pour the finely chopped mixture onto the worm beds. Everything has to be eaten by the worms so larger pieces take longer. Never put sticks or similar large items into the worm beds. They take too long to be eaten and will just be left. You can add a little every day but don't let too much uneaten scrap food sit or it will smell bad. Mix it into the top layer of the bedding material so the worms can find it easily.

When the worms have eaten through their bed, you will want to move them to new beds and use the composted material in your garden. To find the worms you just lift the carpet or lining and expose the surface to the light. Worms hide from the light so just keep exposing the soil to the light as you remove it and the worms will run to the unexposed area. Leave some of the original bedding with the worms in and move it to the next bed or tray. Add your fresh, moist, shredded newspaper and some finely chopped food scraps and start the process over again.

When you have removed the worms and all the compost, you should wash and disinfect your tray before starting the next bed. Composting is all about using bacteria and worms to break down food and garden scraps but you only want good bacteria. Keeping everything clean ensures you have a healthy environment for your worms and your garden.

You may notice you have more worms than you started with. This is great because it means your worm farm is functioning well enough for the worms to breed. The more worms the faster they can compost your scraps.

The composted worm dirt can be mixed into your soil. It's especially great for the vegetable garden. All those nutrients will make your next crop of vegetables full of vitamins and minerals to make them even more healthy.

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.

Start Your Own Worm Farm

So, you're thinking about starting your own worm farm.

Congratulations! Worm farming is a great way for you to do your part in protecting the environment by recycling your kitchen waste.

A worm farm has many other benefits as well. They are simple to make, convenient, and easily maintained. All you need is a container, some soil, some newspaper, food scraps from your kitchen, and, of course, worms. Styrofoam, plastic or wood will work fine. The size of the container is entirely up to you . You can even have your farm indoors, if you like.

Just make sure that your container is water tight so it doesn't leak. Line the container with newspaper strips, add the soil, mix in the food scraps, add worms. you now have your own, personal recycling factory, and compost bin.

Now, here's the best part:

As the worms digest the food scraps their waste, or "castings" is the perfect organic fertilizer. No more buying fertilizer so you save money. No more chemical fertilizers which are bad for the environment and unhealthy for you and your family. And, if you really want to "go the extra mile", You can also make money from your worm farm by selling the worm castings or the humus to other gardeners who want organic fertilizers.

Another easy way to profit is to sell the worms. Other gardeners who are interested in starting their own worm farms, bait shops, and fisherman are a prime market. And, depending on how far you want to take it, you can actually make a full-time income with worm farming.

Worms are an integral part of our ecosystem, and one whose value has never been more important.

In the face of global warming, more and more individuals are taking responsibility for their own recycling and food production efforts.

From neighborhood gardens to backyard compost piles, people everywhere are finding that getting out of doors and into the dirt is the first great way to start giving back to the planet.

Worm Farming Supplies

Worm Farming Supplies - Choose the Container and Add the Bedding

For the worm farm container, you can use foam containers from the grocery store, used dresser drawers or a discarded trunk, even a stack of discarded tires will do. Any sturdy square or rectangular container will work just fine to house your worm farm. Drill several holes in the bottom of the container to let excess liquid drain out. If using stacks of tires, place the stack of tires on a board with holes drilled in it to drain excess moisture. Put a brick in the bottom of the container.

Be sure to wet the bedding and compress any excess liquid out. Use torn up newspaper, cardboard, leaves, chopped up straw, and other dead plants for bedding.

Worm Farming Supplies - Add the Worms and Add Food Waste

The best worms to use are the red worm ( also known as the red wiggler). They are voracious eaters. They will eat and expel their own waste daily. They will crawl down into the bedding because they do not like light. Be sure to bury crushed egg shells with other food, this will maintain the proper pH level in the bedding. Do not use meat, bones, dairy products or fatty foods, they will attract rodents. Bury the food 6 to 7 cm in the bedding to prevent fruit flies.

Worm Farming Supplies - Cover the Worm Bed and Harvesting

Cover the bedding with newspaper. Add a bit of water to the box when in starts to dry out. It should be the consistency of a lightly squeezed sponge. Keep the worm farm out of hot, bright sunlight and heavy rains. After a few months your worm farm will be ready to harvest. There should be little or no original bedding material bedding visible and in its place will be rich, brown worm castings. Move the contents of the bin to one side and add fresh bedding material. The worms will move from the content side into the side with fresh bedding material. After a few days, the content side will be vacant of worms and you can harvest its content for the rich, brown worm castings.

Worm Farming is Wonderful

Frequently individuals decide to raise chickens while there are others who prefer livestock but if you want to help the soil and restore all of it's lost nutrients then you build a worm farm instead of buying one. The nice thing about creating your own worm farm is that it does not cost cost very much. The only thing you will need are 3 or 4 stacked bins or plastic crates wood or some other light and water resistant material, a few worms, a strip of insect screen to go on the bottom torn up newsprint, yard earth or potting compost, water and good bits of scraps.

When you have all these materials, it's time to commence building your worm farm by poking some holes in the lid and some on the bottom too. The number of holes in the lid will depend on the size of the box or bin but you need to remember that the holes should be evenly spaced to allow oxygen to enter and excess water, as well as to let any worm waste drain along with the water. The strip of insect screen needs to be put on the bottom of the tub.

Now that you have worked on the outside of the worm farm you now prepare the interior by filling some of the container with shredded newspaper. It is best to put three quarters of it in the tube and make sure you dampen it with water before adding the soil or possibly potting mix this is just to make sure that the worms will eat the scraps you give them. Once everything is ready, it's time to show the worms into their new home. Some people will pour in about a thousand worms and as long as you keep them happy, they will breed and more likely than not, you'll lose count of exactly how many you have.

But now what are we supposed to do the other bins? Well here we go, the final step is to put the other containers over the first one.

If you are knowledgeable in the dietary habits of worms a few examples of these include coffee grounds or tea leaves, smashed egg shells, fruit peel, hair, stale cookies and cakes, wood dust, plate scraps, moist cardboard, vacuum cleaner debris and vegetable scraps. So in other words, worms love leftovers but you need to avoid putting in too much since you CAN overfeed them. the best way to determine what is enough would be to place a small amount in at first and then watch how long it actually takes form them to eat it before putting in another one. Since the area is large it'll also help to put their food in a different spot every time.

Watch your worms regularly so that you're sure that the shredded newspaper does not dry out and if it needs changed do make sure to replace it.

Naturally, poop will accumulate in the bottom of the box though is also known as vermicast and this is what helps plants grow. The only way you can get at the vermicast without letting the worms out is to pull off the lid and just leave it under direct sunlight for a bit. Worms don’t like sunlight so by their nature, they'll look for cover and you'll have an easy time collecting the vermicast and closing the lid.

The worm farm is wonderful with and will help you in growing flowers, fruits or even vegetables and all that's required is some willpower to get the help of these tiny creatures.

Worm Farming For Fun and Profit

More and more people all over the world are becoming intensely aware of the dire need to protect earth and the world's natural resources for our children and the future. Inventing new ways of reusing waste, and organic ways of growing food without pesticides and other man-made chemicals is an ongoing concern. Scientific research has already revealed that mother nature has ample natural processes to nutrient-rich soil nourishment to grow crops that are much safer for human use than those treated with pesticides. One of the more effective ways of achieving this is worm-farming. Worm-farming is not a new concept, but it has not been until recently that studies have found this to be the most effective and organic way to produce healthy soil for natural farming.

What is Worm-Farming?

Worm-farming involves the use of special breeds of composting worms and this kind of farming can be implemented on any sized scale. Vermiculture can be pursued as a pass-time for homeowners that want to start their own soil rich vegetable gardens or for farmers that produce foods on large scale. Learning about worm farming is really simple and in simple laymen's terms can be explained in a few steps. Humans produce waste, worms eat this waste and the end product after this process is nourished soil that is once again used to produce food. This is nature's cycle which is an universally friendly way of growing natural rich foods as opposed to when using pesticides. In the spirit of recycling as much as possible worm farming is a leading way of turning your waste into something useful and reusable.

Who can make use of worm-farming?

Scientific research have found that food produced on farms that used chemical man made fertilizers has residue chemicals in them which we eat. Lots of diseases and cancers have been the result of using chemicals in the manufacture of foods. Worm-farming is a proven answer to this dilemma with worms producing a rich sanitized natural soil that plants will thrive in. Besides producing nutrient rich soils for your garden, Vermiculture can also be extremely fun as well as very interesting. Many people today enjoy worm-farming and it can almost be compared to having a pet because worms also need proper care just like any other being. It has also been proven that a lot of people are once again benefiting from better health as a result of producing their own vegetable patches and worm-farming is the answer to healthy vegetables and fruits without chemical residues in them.

The Many Benefits of Vermiculture

Worm farming holds only benefits for the person that wants to pursue starting his own worm farm. Once you have seen the powerful advantages of eating naturally grown foods you will want to keep on producing your own healthy fruit and veg that way. It is about time that we all start finding more natural ways of re-using our waste. Mother Earth already has many which have been staring us in the face all along. Worm-farming certainly is one of these.

Worm Farming Just Makes Sense

As you can imagine, the environment and our bodies are full of man-made chemicals, playing havoc with our own immune systems and that of the planet earth. I know. It will take concerted efforts to see any change in today's society.

But what's wrong with helping our ecosystem for the sake of our futures? With that lofty goal in mind, some have chosen the occupation of worm farming. It's safe, natural, and healthy in many ways.

Worm farming offers variety including setting one up with earthworms, catalpa worms, meal worms, red worms, or grub worms. You can try having more than one kind, but there are benefits to keeping them in separate containers.

With separation of each type of worm you can detect which varieties are progressing and at what pace. Another benefit is having them separated for the different reasons you would want to use them. One reason for keeping them separated is to make sure you have the correct temperatures and the correct conditions for each type to thrive and prosper.

Which worms are edible? At least from a human standpoint? Earthworms, meal worms, and grub worms are. Maybe you don't want to partake of this sort of exotic delicacy yourself. It may just be a little too safe, natural, and healthy for your tastes! But what if you could extend the life of your cats or dogs by adding the cooked worms to their dry food that you've made yourself? You'd be surprised that animals that wouldn't normally eat worms can actually thrive very well on their nutritive value.

Worm farming is actually less expensive and less dangerous than your average farm. After all, you don't need tons of employees and expensive equipment to have a worm farm. You can have your own little worm farm for your own personal benefits. Encourage your kids to join in and use it in class for show-and-tell time.

It's a novel way of getting up close and personal with natural science. Little gardeners can enjoy the benefits of this safe farming. And if you are raising the edible worms, you won't have to worry if your tot does experiment by popping one in his or her mouth!

Although the catalpa worms are not one of the edible worms, they are still safe and natural to use as fish bait. This Southern U.S. variety is sometimes referred to as Catawba Worms.

The catalpa trees are well-known along the rivers and swamps of the southern states in the United States. Texas, Louisiana, and Florida residents enjoy the bait from these trees but these trees and their worms are easily established outside the realm of the South. These trees thrive in moist, rich soil.

If you live in east Texas (and many other Mid Western states), you are well-acquainted with the pest called the June bug. You may not have known, however, that this pest comes from the humble grub worm.

Sure, the grub worm isn't a friend if you have vegetable garden, but in some cultures, this worm is a delicacy. Now didn't you learn something new about worms today?

Why Worm Farming is Important

It haw come as a surprise to some that insect job is beneficial to our environment. After some research into the matter it haw be shocking to learn how essential these hidden crawlers really are. There is more to them than just locomotion finished the garden.

Worms have been around since the beginning. During the geezerhood of the dinosaurs, worms ploughed finished rotting detritus and excrement, composting it into a more usable substance. Millions of years ago they were efficient creatures and today they rest the same.

So why is insect job so important? There are three common reasons for insect job both commercially and individually. The prototypal think is for composting.

Worm job provides an effective and efficient artefact for composting matter waste and another biodegradable items. On the larger scale, worms are utilised in locate of landfills by commercial companies. The worms compost waste eliminating unnecessary overflows in landfills. Certain landfills also use worms to support compost the waste that has build up over time to try to prevent an overflow.

On a small scale, bag owners and apartment dwellers are able to run their own personal insect farms. The purpose is to provide a more natural artefact for composting discarded matter products and another items, instead of sending them to the local landfills. Various sizes of personal insect farms are available on the mart today. These crapper typically be utilised both outdoors and indoors for those with limited space.

Having a personal insect farm means that individuals are able to employ worms to naturally compost items much as fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals, paper products, soaked cardboard, egg shells and hair. What is given in return by the worms is a naturally nutrient flush organic center that crapper enrich grime for gardens, crops and house plants.

This brings us to the next think for insect farming. Vermicompost, or insect castings, is the product the worms display as they compost and digest their provided diet. These castings are as flush in nutrients as the matter items provided to them. This center is so flush in nutrients that it crapper be utilised as an effective plant matter for a small pot for up to two months. Vermicompost is one of the prizewinning fertilizers available.

Chemical fertilizers crapper be replaced by using natural vermicompost. Chemical fertilizers often display a fast effect, but when the grime is analyzed, it is found that the nutrients in the grime are existence further broken down by the chemicals. This requires that even more chemical be utilised later on to display the same effect.

Chemical gadfly removers and poisons have led to the destruction and voiding of worms in many areas. The worms are either killed by the poison or they leave the area as the grime is no longer healthy sufficiency for them to springy in.

Using vermicompost as a natural chemical helps eliminate the need for chemicals that destroy the grime and rid the area of these helpful worms. Some worms crapper be utilised in garden beds, improving the quality of the grime as they plough finished pulling water into the grime and aerating the bed as they go.

Another think for insect job is the production of worms to be utilised as springy matter and springy bait. Many exotic pets, birds and tank fish order the addition of springy worms to their diets. Offering worms for this think gives pet owners an opportunity to purchase springy matter that has not been chemically altered or treated.

Professional fishermen, device and face shops, and the sportfishing hobbyist are often on the search for good suppliers of different worms that are prizewinning suited for springy device in both freshwater and salt water. Worm farms substance these buyers a chance to purchase organically raised worms that module display the prizewinning results when fishing.

As surprising as it haw seem, worms are a very essential part of our environment. Worm job is just a artefact to be able to appreciate their personalty on a more personal level. They are hard workers and keeping them happy in a insect farm module support ensure a healthier environment, less overflow of the landfills and a higher take of plant growth.

What is Worm Farming?

Worm farming has been around for eld on assorted scales. While the reasons for insect farming are not widely known, those who participate are big believers in the benefits that these worms hit on the environment.

Many insect farmers commercially culture worms for profit. Specific breeds of worms are bred and are typically kept in breed specific quarters. Commercially raised worms are typically oversubscribed for composting. Some insect farmers distribute to landfills providing a uncolored method for composting waste.

These specifically bred worms are also utilised for grime fertilization. As worms dig through the soil, they alter and stir up the grime carrying water with them. The squander that is composted by the worms is busted down into a center that can be meliorate utilised by the soil, rising the fertilization of the soil. A healthy grime is then produced for meliorate ontogeny plants, vegetables and crops.

In past years, the supply of insect farming equipment and accessories has made it easier for individuals to attain a hobby of this technique. Household fourpenny bins are on the market in a difference of shapes and sizes. Home owners and housing dwellers hit been given the opportunity to raise their own worms for squander compost and grime fertilization.

Worm farming provides worms with a nutrient flush diet of what many times is thrown out with the garbage including discarded fruits and vegetables. Other compostable materials allow paper products and cotton rags, leaves, egg shells and hair. Excreted by the insect is a nutrient flush center called vermicompost or insect compost.

Worms are also farmed for bait. Small device and tackle shops often receive their livestock inventory from insect farmers providing fishermen with assorted worms to ingest as live bait. Fishermen who fish on a larger bit than the hobbyist often ingest these worms for device for anglers and another large catches.

Many assorted worms are acquirable depending on the job. Each difference of worms is utilised for its own reasons. Red worms are commonly utilised for composting patch the Belgian worms are good for both composting and bait. Home owners looking for worms to keep in lawns and flower beds will find success with Night Crawlers and Wigglers.

Worm farming can also be an excellent educational tool. As using worms provide a more space effective artefact for composting, small kits can be purchased and even hand made to be utilised in a room setting. Students are able to participate in the project learning about how composting occurs. Using uncolored methods for composting and reducing squander in landfills is easily demonstrated by room insect farms.

Worms can be farmed just about anywhere. With the assorted systems acquirable on the market today, home owners can raise their own supply of worms right or in an apartment. Providing the precise amount of moisture, light, bedding, temperature and food will ensure a long experience insect population. In return, the move will be a uncolored artefact for composting without filling up local landfills. As a result, nutrient flush grime is provided that can be utilised right away or stored for ingest during gardening season.

Tips for Worm Farming

There are many assorted types of worms that are both beatific for you and intense for you. You staleness prototypal undergo the difference before you choose which you equip in for your insect job adventure. Worms such as tapeworms, ringworms, and pin worms are not beatific investments for insect farming. The types people raise to sell and ingest are those they crapper sell for fishing bait, food for birds and reptiles, or those utilised to support benefit the soil and their by-products.

Worms hit no exoskeletons and are not created the aforementioned exclusive as humans and other animals. A insect has one brain and five hearts. Earthworms expel in oxygen and expel discover copy dioxide. They can't control their possess body temperatures and can't maintain a body temperature. When they're in captivity, they staleness depend on you to support them survive in the correct temperature.

Some people grow insect farms for their possess personal adventure. Kids ingest them for pets. Gardeners encourage their growth to gain healthy crops or flower gardens. They create superior natural compost and fertilizers! Some people take worms, although it isn't something that is a bounteous hit in the United States.

Composting is encouraged to support the surround and to keep the waste down that is hauled to landfills daily. Worm job is one small artefact to help. Small ways add up to bounteous benefits when enough people tie together in their efforts. If you hit complaints about the environment, if you've thrown away food scraps, newspapers, sticks and grass clippings or leaves, if you want to be involved in a positive artefact to support then insect job may be just the correct adventure for you to take!

Earthworms, red worms, catalpa worms, and grub worms every make beatific fishing worms. If you want a variety of worms, though, you need to undergo that not every worms are raised the same. Not every worms make beatific bin partners because of the assorted temperature requirements.

Not every vegetables or food scraps make beatific food for your worms either. Strong foods same onion, garlic, and blistering peppers are not as readily welcomed. If the worms don't want to take them, they'll take everything else first. That leaves a smell to your insect bin, which crapper smash your new adventure really fast! It's not same your possess mom making you take every your vegetables when you were little. These are not children and shouldn't be tortured to endure foods they don't want. If you feed an animal something that isn't beatific for it or that it doesn't same the discernment of, it crapper starve itself to modification and will just end up resenting you or trying to carelessness to get to the better food source. Meat products are not a beatific intent for your worms either since they crapper contain diseases, poisons from the animal's system created by the medicines you staleness provide your pet, and also a intense smell when decomposing.

Check discover what the other insect farmers are doing. Their prices, shipping methods, growing bins, advertisements may every become in handy for helping you plan your possess adventure in insect farming.

Feeding Worm In The Farm

Naturally composting waste, providing an organic concern that enriches grime and even supplying hobbyists and fisherman with live bait. These are all reasons for insect farming. Taking tending of the worms in a insect farm is typically quite cushy but there whatever guidelines to follow. Proper feeding is essential for the upbeat of the worms, and therefore essential for the upbeat of the farm.

Worms are fed a difference of matter items, and nonfood items, for composting. Some matter type items that crapper be offered are fruits, vegetables, greens, bread products, cereals, tea bags, drink grounds and filters and egg shells. The worms module take just about anything so it is clamant to undergo which foods are appropriate and why.

Fruits and vegetables are easily composted by the worms. The essential thing to advert when bringing fruits and vegetables is the size of the portions. Fruit pieces should be cut down to 1/2 inch pieces or slices. Smaller pieces module be consumed more quickly. Food blended up with water module also help the worms find the matter and consume it faster.

Fruits and vegetables are highly nutritious. Worms that are fed an appropriate diet module in turn produce a matter flush substance that is advantageous to crops, gardens, bloom beds and even indoor bloom pots. Some nonfood items that crapper be offered to worms for composting are paper products, cotton rags, hair clippings, leaves and soaked cardboard. A pizza box that has been torn up and soaked is a wonderful impact for worms.

When offering leaves to a insect farm, be careful to only use products that have never been treated with chemicals. For the safety of the worms, grass excerpt and another yard clippings should be avoided enclose chemicals have been used.

Dog and cat farces crapper be utilized in a insect farm with care. Cats and dogs that have been dewormed fresh module still have the substance within their bodies. The penalization utilized for deworming crapper be excreted in the droppings. If fed to the worms, the farces crapper kill the worms quickly. If a pet has been deformed recently, avoid using the farces in the insect farm.

Care should also be condemned when offering cat faeces from a matter box. Inorganic litters are unsafe for the worms. If your plan is to use the worms to compost the droppings, using a natural and organic matter module ready the worms happy.

While there are some foods that crapper be offered readily, there are also those that should be avoided. Care should always be condemned with items that have been treated with chemicals, medications or another substances that haw prove harmful.

Meats should not be offered to the worms in a insect farm. Being voracious eaters, the worms module fain consume whatever meat is offered. The difficulty with meat is with the pests it module attract. Flies and maggots module be found in a insect farm that uses meat and the prizewinning way to decimate these pests is to decimate the use of meat.

Citrus fruits, onions and flavoring should not be utilised either. The worms appear to find the smell of these items offensive. Most worms module try to escape the bin to intend away from the smell. Dairy products module also draw unwanted guests into the insect farm. Another questionable issue with bringing dairy products is the foul smell that is emitted as it rots.

Feeding worms is a pretty cushy job. The key is to undergo which items are good and which are bad for the upbeat of the worms. Another point to always advert is to not over feed. New worms should be fed in small amounts when they are becoming established within the farm. Once settled, the amount crapper be increased over time.

Over feeding leads to problems such as foul smells and pests. Keep feeding down to a minimum, offering new matter only when the old matter cater is running low. Worms crapper take over half their embody weight in matter per day. The insect population crapper threefold every few months. Overfeeding crapper cause a difficulty but ready an eye on the population as substantially to be sure that underfeeding isn't an issue.

A substantially fed insect population is a happy insect population. Happy worms produce a lot of naturally composted, flourishing castings for grime enrichment therefore keeping the insect farmer happy as well.

Catalpa Worm Farming

If you are from the gray portion of the United States, you haw not know about catalpa worms, but chances are you've at least heard of them. Catalpa worms are not really worms, but they are lumped into the insect family anyway. Try telling the redneck fishermen these little buggers aren't worms!

Catalpa worms are commonly titled \"Catawba worms\". Although it isn't likely you'll find some catalpa insect farms, this haw be a rattling good reason you should move digit of your own. It's a artefact to enlighten the public and provide something unique for consumers.

Catalpa trees are the artefact to get Catalpa worms. So, a tree farm of catalpas is your first investment. Other things you haw requirement to equip in are: sprinklers, wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, containers, a business license, fertilizer for your tree crop, and advertising.

Your catalpa trees are going to attain quite a mess with litter, so you'll want to end how to handle that as well. It's an intent to turn this litter into a profit. Toss it into your compost money to support build up some valuable matter for your trees. Sell it for seeds to others who haw want to grow a tree. Use it to move campfires.

One tree crapper provide a insect creator with hundreds of worms. They're a hot commodity for gray fishermen. The fat worms draw catfish like crazy. Their juices are the enticement for the fish. They just can't seem to resist. The prizewinning artefact to use the worms is to break them, tear them, or cut them somehow to allow the juices to flow. Place them on your hook and put the hook as nearby to the bottom of your fishing hole as possible. This keeps the juices close to the bait instead of allowing it to float down and away, which causes the fish to also go down and absent to chase after the juice instead of the bait!

If you equip in a freezer, you crapper also freeze the worms to sell out of season. The caterpillar initiate only lasts about three weeks.

You crapper acquire a official tree from the Arbor Foundation for $9. If you're serendipitous enough to hit a qualifying or friend who has a tree, you crapper try growing your possess from the seed pods that hang from the limbs. Your prizewinning bet for starting the worms is to harvest foodstuff from a tree that is already established and attach them to your possess tree. The caterpillars emerge in the spring, so you'll want to attach them in February or March. You could try ordering the catalpa sphinx moth yourself from an insect source of some kind. This is what the catalpa insect evolves into, so obviously it would lay the foodstuff to move more!

The downside to catalpa worms is their knowledge to devour leaves. All species of the catalpa tree are subject and crapper be host trees. You'll hit to protect against small wasps and parasites that crapper destroy your worms.

Worm Farming is Safe, Natural, and Healthy in Many Ways

Are you tired of seeing all that belittle along the riverbanks and ponds because of the plastic lures the fishermen use? Are you tired of the cost of potting soil, fertilizers, and compost? Are you tired of the expensive pet foods that contain ingredients of uncertainty? Are you tired of not knowing how to help our eco-system, our environment, our future? It doesn't happen all at once; it takes the efforts of some people doing the right things and making the right lifestyle choices. Then maybe you should give insect farming a try. It's safe, natural, and healthy in some ways.

Worm farming crapper be done with earthworms, catalpa worms, meal worms, red worms, or grub worms. You crapper try having more than one kind, but there are benefits to keeping them in separate containers. One such goodness is being able to track the progress of each type. One goodness is having them separated for the assorted reasons you would want to use them. One reason for keeping them separated is to attain sure you have the correct temperatures and the correct conditions for each type to thrive.

Earthworms, meal worms, and grub worms are edible. Maybe you don't want to partake of this sort of exotic delicacy yourself. It may just be a lowercase too safe, natural, and healthy for your tastes! But what if you could extend the life of your hirsute pets by adding the cooked worms to their dry matter that you've made yourself? Even animals that don't naturally eat worm crapper goodness from eating them in another form.

Worm farming is one of the less dangerous types of farming. You don't have to have a big farm that takes lots of employees and expensive equipment to have a insect farm. You crapper have your possess lowercase insect farm for your possess individualized benefits. Encourage your kids to join in and use it in class for show-and-tell time. It's a way of getting up near and individualized with natural science. Little gardeners crapper enjoy the benefits of this safe farming. And if you are raising the edible worms, you won't have to worry if your tot does experiment by popping one in his or her mouth!

Although the catalpa worms are not one of the edible worms, they are still safe and natural to use as fish bait. The catalpa trees are well-known along the rivers and swamps of the gray states in the United States. Texas, Louisiana, and Florida residents enjoy the bait from these trees. They crapper be ingrained outside of their natural habitats with the comely knowledge and conditions. They tolerate heat well, but need well-drained, moist, flush grime to do well. They crapper grow to 90 feet and crapper provide shade and another benefits trees add to the natural balance of life.

If you live in easterly Texas, you are well-acquainted with the gadfly called the June bug. You may not have known, however, that this gadfly comes from the grub worm. Not the gardener's friend, but useful in another ways, this insect is one of the delicacies in another countries. You just have to know your creepy-crawlers so you crapper help others learn more about what's safe, natural and healthy: insect farms----spread the word!

What Do You Need to Know About Worm Farming?

Maybe you poverty to try something different, something unique to your area, or just something to gross discover your neighbors! Worm job is educational, beneficial to nature, and has a lot of potential in the market if you undergo how to push your product.

An earthworm crapper lay 900 eggs a year. That's a lot of eggs. They crapper produce CO2. That's a positive thing. Their digestive system helps neutralize acidic grime or grime with a high alcalescent level. That's a gardener's friend. Worms are a source of food for other animals. A natural food that is safe and healthy. So, how crapper you go criminal with a good worm farm?!

An interesting and fantastic thing to undergo about worm job is that many years ago Cleopatra declared earthworms to be sacred, gods of fertility. A little old earthworm was protected and cherished, death to the person who caused harm to the earthworm.

America is not so kind to the lowly earthworm. Usually it is forgotten, ignored, or used for bait or gardening purposes. Some other cultures use it for food, which could be considered unnameable to a starving person!

A healthy thing you need to undergo about worm job is that if you poverty to lower your cholesterin level, go eat worms. Seriously, earthworms crapper reduce your cholesterin take because they include Omega 3 oil. You are probably locution that you'd rather have a high cholesterin level. But what else are you putting in your system on a daily basis? To a vegetarian, meat eaters are the sick people. To the meat eater, only intake vegetables crapper seem crazy. So, who's to feature intake worms is wrong, especially considering the health benefits. They're good protein, less fattening, cheap to produce and cost a lot less than steak! If you prefer a sophisticated term for this oddity, its scientific term is entomophagy.

Worm job is usually done for reasons other than eating, of course. Those worms in the bait shop or in the pet store have to come from somewhere. Now you undergo where they came from. Worm farms do have their risks, of course, as does any business. Making money with them is not necessarily easy. You have to undergo your worms, undergo your market, and undergo how to manage your money.

Feeding your worms doesn't cost much for a small worm farm. They eat dirt, decayed leaves, birdlike manure, living organisms found in the soil, vegetables and fruits, non-glossy paper products, grains, grass clippings, and wood pieces. Just make sure that whatever you feed them has no residues of any type of poisons.

You crapper move a worm farm in a simple container with some dirt, holes for air and drainage, moisture, and food scraps. Large containers will need some sort of sifting tray for when you are ready to harvest your worm crop. You may poverty to capture the evacuation to use for tea for your plants. Once you see how the process works on a small scale, you crapper decide whether or not it's something you would poverty to embellish further involved with as a substantial business.

What Do You Know about Worm Farming?

If you hit wondered how popular or widespread insect farming is in the United States, or if you hit ever thought of starting your own insect farm, you may find the following aggregation interesting.

Worm farms on a super scale exist as follows: Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico-1 each. Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, and the United Kingdom-2 each. Pennsylvania, Texas-3 each. Canada and Washington-4 each. California-15. Of course, there are many that aren't listed as major farms. Many people hit their own backyard insect farms.

Any business, including insect farming, will take from 3 to 5 years normally to break modify after their initial investment and maintenance costs. It's essential to be careful with your purchases and to do your research before jumping into any business. Careful consideration means a better chance of netting profits sooner.

What do you know about lineage stock? You crapper find good lineage stock in a city gardener's basement cater just as well as you crapper from any established breeder with the aforementioned type of worm. It isn't unusual for someone to try to sell lineage stock at an inflated toll in any animal business. The population crapper takes as long as 90 life to double no matter where you buy your lineage stock.

How many worms you should start with depends on several things. How much crapper you afford? How bounteous do you want your insect farm? How much space do you hit now? Are you investing as a second income, for a lowercase pocket money, or are you hoping to grow into a bounteous insect farm? Can you shield your worms from temperature changes? Will you be willing and able to ship your worms elsewhere for selling?

Some helpful aggregation to know is:

1. Worms are sensitive to pressure changes in weather. Finding them in the lid of your insect bin before it rains is no reason to panic.

2. Ants will be more likely to enter your insect bins if the bedding is dry or highly acidic. Raise the moisture content or keep the legs of your stand in a container of water. You could try applying oil jelly around the legs or adding some garden lime near the ant gathering spot.

3. Cover your fresh insect food with the soil in the bed or lay a layer of wet newspaper over it to get rid of vinegar flies. If you feed your worms too much for them to finish apiece day, it will invite the lowercase flies, too.

4. A smelly insect bin is a sign that you may be feeding your worms too much for them to digest quickly. Stir the waste lightly to allow air flow and space for the worms to travel more easily and feed less. It may take a lowercase experimentation to figure out how much your worm’s crapper process efficiently. The amount will change as the worms multiply.

Advertising Your Worm Farm

Advertising can be the most expensive part of many small businesses. But without the proper advertisement, your business will struggle. Although word of mouth is and will continue to be one of the best sources of advertising for a worm farm or any business or service, you must consider other options as well.

Air time for radio stations can be expensive, as can newspaper or magazine advertisements. You may be limited in how often you can invest in either one. Start-up costs can be demanding in any business.

The sign for your worm farm business should be colorful, easy to read, informative, large enough to readily notice, and in the right place to be seen easily. Although a plain, small sign can still work, it is the bigger and more attractive one that will draw more interest. Think about it from the consumer viewpoint. If you saw a small, plain, black and white sign on one side of the street, and a big, colorful, sign on the other side of the street.......which one would be more likely to snag your interest? You want to be welcoming to the public with your advertisement.

Another means of advertising your worm farm is flyers or bulletins. Many people will make up a huge stack of them and place them on every car they see until they run out. But you want to get the most out of every cent you invest in your advertising. So, before you run out and start shoving those flyers under windshield wipers, consider placement. Is the mom shopping with her two year old child in the toy store as likely to buy your fishing worms or your fertilizer as the person shopping in the hardware store or sports store? Grocery stores, Laundromats, your local Wal Mart, convenience stores, and even large construction businesses may be better places to distribute your flyers. You could ask store owners about posting your flyers in their windows. Try the local video stores, flower shops, and so on.

You could consider holding a demonstration about the benefits of your worm farm at the local library. They have story times and guests visit during the summer months to entertain the children. These children have parents and grandparents who garden and fish and own reptiles or birds who might need worms. Be sure to hand out color pages or bookmarks or something similar with a small bit of information for your business, including your phone number.

Magnetic signs that attach to the sides of vehicles have become more popular in advertising. There are thrift newspapers that have lower cost advertising. A booth at your local farmer's market or in the local flea market may help get your worm farm noticeable with the public.

Make sure you check out your tax laws and your business license requirements for your area. Even if you have your worm farm at your house, you may be required to get a permit to sell your worms or the things you are able to produce because of your worms (like the tea, compost, fertilizers, etc.).

Understanding the Anatomy of Worms Used in Worm Farming

Worm farming is an excellent artefact to naturally compost waste without adding to the already flooded landfills. Vermicompost is produced as a result, providing a nutrient rich center that greatly benefits gardens, crops and house plants. The worms kept in insect farms obligation little to remain healthy, voracious eaters. Understanding the morphology of these worms proves useful in understanding their needs.

A worm's body is made up of 70-95 percent water. Worms therefore require a very moist environment that should be mimicked in the insect farm. When worms die, they often diminish up and go unnoticed as the water content is lost at this point.

These are cold blooded animals. Temperature should be serviceable between 72 and 75 degrees physicist to assist the regulation of their body temperatures. Worm farms should be placed in a location that allows for this constant temperature, or bins that are insulated should be purchased.

One pore of insect farming is to have worms that will make easily. Worms are hermaphrodites, meaning they possess both phallic and female sex organs. Worm farmers must realize that though they are hermaphrodites, they cannot self-fertilize. A single insect cannot make alone. A colony of some worms will termination in larger drawing being produced.

Worms used in insect farms are awninged in a slimy secretion coating. This color serves some purposes. The secretion helps the worms retain water. As their bodies are made up of a broad proportionality of water, an important step when insect farming is to be trusty to provide adequate moisture levels in the bin. The insect will be able to hold in the required moisture level through this secretion coating.

The worm's secretion color is also a protector. As the insect borrows into soil and bedding, the secretion provides a slick coat protecting it from bruising substances that may reside there.

The morphology of the mouth of the insect is regarded as unique. In the worm, the mouth is called the Peristonium. Worms do not have teeth. Instead they have this mouth organ that is used for prying. Worm farmers should be aware that worms will be able to better compost food items that have been revilement down into small pieces. Soaked paper and cardboard products will be more easily pried apart than hard, non-soaked pieces.

Established insect farmers and those new to the hobby are often surprised to learn the life span of the worms that are commonly used in insect farming. The common lifespan of these worms is typically between 4 and 8 years. It has been reported that some worms have been famous to live over 15 years.

These are long lived creatures whose lives are most often revilement short by accidents. The myth that worms crapper be revilement in half and therefore produce two worms is false. Worm farmers should always be careful when intelligent for worms, replacing substance or removing vermicompost. Sharp or hard tools are likely to injure a insect or even cause death.

If provided a good diet, proper living conditions and a safe environment, worms crapper live long flourishing lives. Healthy worms produce flourishing compost that crapper be put to good use. Understanding the basics of the morphology of these worms will aide in the understanding of how unique they are and how to come their needs.

Where to Find Worms for Worm Farming?

Setting up a worm farm requires three things. The prototype is an appropriate bin for containing the worms. The second is plenty of compost materials to keep the worms properly fed. The most important thing necessary for a worm farm is, in fact, the worms. Learning where to encounter worms is the prototype step.

It is important to note that worms collected from the garden in the wild should not be used in a worm farm. Various types of worms are available on the market specifically for worm farming. These worms are sold for traits that make them more desirable for composting or as springy bait.



An ingrained worm farm crapper requires a large sort of worms to be economical enough to compost enough material for a small family. Most small worm farms need to start out with at least 1000 worms.

The prototypal place to encounter worms for worm job should be the local device and tackle stores. These places typically sell a variety of worms that crapper be used for both composting and springy bait. The Red Wiggler is known as existence the best worm for composting and crapper usually be found in establishments such as these.

The Internet provides a mass amount of options for purchasing just most some kind of worm to ingest in a worm farm. Red Wigglers, Night Crawlers, Florida Wigglers, egg capsules and even exotic breeds of worms crapper all be found. A simple search on some search engine will display a sort of opportunities and choices.

Purchasing springy animals online also means that shipping is something to take into consideration. Care has to be taken when collecting and packaging the specimens. Most worms ship substantially and with ease but shipping methods should be investigated. Simply ask the supplier what the rate of springy arrival is and encounter out what their shipping methods are.

The local garden centers have proven rattling helpful as a supply for worms. Typically they sell other supplies for worm job as well. Depending on the geographical location, most garden centers have a full line of the various types of worms available for purchase. The staff is available to answer questions most worm job for new beginners. If a limited type of worm is found to be unavailable at a garden center, an order crapper of times be placed for particular varieties.

A rattling commonly overlooked option for locating worms is other worm farmers. Worm farmers ofttimes have a nimiety of worms and are more than selection to part with them. Some are selection to offer them up in mercantilism for taking them off their own hands patch others will sell them for a low fee.

Local worm farmers crapper off times be found in the yellow pages under "worm" or "worm farms". This provides a great source as worm farmers are of times more than selection to give tips and hints for a successful farm.

Worm job crapper be recreation and rewarding. Knowing where to encounter good quality worms is primary in maintaining a successful farm. Once a worm farm is established, it may one day establish to be yet another outlet for those who are new to the worm job world.

Know More On Worm Farming

Worm farming just need a small area to operate, which is suitable for anyone to do in their own homes. Break downward nearly every kind of production and seed like scraps and invoke them into liquefied fertilizer (worm tea) and castings. Worm repast can be consumed for fertilizing plants, and castings are superior potting inter-mixture for ontogeny seedlings as substantially as a enthusiastic matter maker for grown plants. Provide a deciding to effort of production and seed like scraps at landfill. Improve grime by exchange nutrients and minerals leached discover by plants and the elements.

Worm farming is an alternate to blistering composting garden squander and production and seed like scraps from the kitchen. Worm farms are good for grouping experience in flats or houses with diminutive backyards. The nutrients from insect castings are organic, odorless and more pronto acquirable to plants than the chemical fertilizers that withdraw finished Perth blonde soils.

Worm farming is a recreation way to invoke your matter kitchen scraps into a rich, soil-like center titled castings. Worm castings are enthusiastic for belly plants, ontogeny seedlings, and for potting soils. The fertilizer produced by worm farms is full of nutrients and can be watered-down and additional to belly plants. Pet worms encounter diminutive scraps of matter easier to take and quicker to digest. Intermixture of kitchen scraps with liquid before giving it to the worms to pace up the process.

Worm farming is an ultimate way of converting kitchen scraps and another synthetic material into a matter of synthetic fertilizers titled insect castings. Worm farming or vermiculture, uses compost worms to perturbation kitchen scraps into an synthetic fertilizer. It is an alternate to blistering composting garden squander and production and seed like scraps from the kitchen. The insect castings produced are digit of nature's prizewinning composts and fertilizers. They include more ready-for-use synthetic being nutrients than whatever composted touchable or works prefabricated fertilizer.