Anyone have a worm farm?

**nic** · January 10th, 2009, 07:39 AM

Does anyone have a worm farm? In particular, the can-o-worms?
We bought one, along with 2000 worms and have set it up, but I wanted to make sure we did it right?

Anyone on here have one, or set one up at some stage?

Nic

**Lolli** · January 10th, 2009, 07:43 AM

Yep I got a Can-o-Worms for Chrissie off my mum. She's huge on them- a bit environmentalist, she even did a course of them to set one up at the school she works at.

2000 worms is great- I only have 1000. worms in the bottom tray, start putting your food/dog poo/ whatever in the next tray up. but leave it a week before you put anything (I didn't do that and it started to smell). Apparentley the population of worms grows to what you feed them- if you feed them a lot, you'll get more worms, feed hem a little, less worms.

But I'm waffling. What would you like to know?

**nic** · January 10th, 2009, 08:06 AM

We set it up, put the fibre stuff in the bottom, and once we put the worms in, we came up to just above the 'ribs' so we put the next tray on. We put a bit of food in, then put a layer of wet newspaper on top of the food. Checked the nexy day, and we already had some worms working their way up, so a big YAY there! but, I'm worried that we should've left it for a bit longer before putting some food in? I'm wondering about the fibre stuff in the bottom, should we have left the worms in with it for a few more days, even a week or two maybe, before adding food?

Nic

**Lolli** · January 10th, 2009, 08:17 AM

Nic,
I *think* the newspaper should have gone on top of the worms, in the bottom tray, not on top of the food? That way, it takes them a bit longer to get through to the food, so as a result they eat more of the fibre stuff.

But, having said that, if they are already up there and eating, then great

Don't worry about it. The only thing that will happen is when you get your first tray of castings (the bottom one, after the worms have worked their way right up to the top- will take a couple of months), they won't be 'pure' castings- they will have some uneaten fibre stuff mixed in. But you'll still be able to spread it your garden/mix with soil/whatever, it just won't be as finely textured.

Keep going as you are- if the worms are eating the food, you are doing fine. And cause you started with 2000 worms, they will eat more than mine would. As long as they are eating what you put in, it won't get smelly.

Keep feeding form the second layer as you are for a couple of motnhs, till it is full of worms, castings and food, up to the ribbing. Then pop some wet newspaper on top of the worms, leave it a week or so (to break down the remaining food) then start adding food to the top tray. Once the top tray is about half full of worms, your castings on the bottom will be ready to use and you start all over again.

Phew! HTH

**nic** · January 10th, 2009, 08:27 AM

The only thing that will happen is when you get your first tray of castings (the bottom one, after the worms have worked their way right up to the top- will take a couple of months), they won't be 'pure' castings- they will have some uneaten fibre stuff mixed in. But you'll still be able to spread it your garden/mix with soil/whatever, it just won't be as finely textured.

Thanks LoriRae

This is what I was concerned about, that we wouldn't be able to use the first tray of castings because of the fibre stuff.
You most definately did help

thanks heaps

Nic

**SareBear** · January 10th, 2009, 12:15 PM

We have the can o worms too and our mistake was feeding the worms too much. They weren't able to keep up with how much food we put in there so it went mouldy. We cleaned out that tray and now they are happy again. So my advice is just keep an eye on how much food they can eat.

Good luck!

**nic** · January 13th, 2009, 05:44 PM

Well, I went and checked it yesterday and they had only a few tiny bits of scraps! So we gave them some more food today, and when we opened the lid up, it looks like bean sprouts growing up through some of the holes??
Not sure what that is all about? BUT they are eating their food like little troopers YAY...go my little worm army!!

**Lolli** · January 13th, 2009, 06:04 PM

Well, I went and checked it yesterday and they had only a few tiny bits of scraps! So we gave them some more food today, and when we opened the lid up, it looks like bean sprouts growing up through some of the holes??

Yay! Feed 'em up I reckon

I think the bean sprouts would probably be some sort of fungus- not going to hurt your worms, but maybe means it's a bit too damp in there if you've been wetting it down due to the heat? If you're doing that, remember to leave the bottom tap open so it can drain. I wouldn't worry about them, you might see a few strange things growing in there every now and then

HTH again!

**nic** · January 13th, 2009, 06:19 PM

Ah... I did think it might be some sort of fungi, but didn't think about opening the tap up and letting it drain out. will go and do that in the morning.
Ta again

Nic