expanding worm farm

16 MARCH, 2013

I recently constructed a new worm farm by following instructions in Alys Fowler's book, The Thrifty Gardener - how to create a stylish garden for next to nothing.  I was already in possession of a wooden garden box edge, so only had to nail hardwood on the bottom of it and create a hinged lid.

I also had to drill aeration holes in the sides of it, which I nailed flywire over to stop mice and rats from jumping in, and filled it with worm bedding (soaked newspaper, cardboard, coconut husks, leaves, handfuls of mulch and soil) and some worms. I then added food scraps and constantly top it up with whatever else worms love to eat.

This would include: Vegetable peelings (go easy on the onions), cooked veggies, pizza crusts, vegetarian leftovers, tea bags, bread, cake, biscuits, baked beans, cooked pasta, any leafy greens or green tops, oatmeal, coffee grounds, used tea leaves, fruit scraps and banana skins. To that list I would also add: nitrogen rich vacuum cleaner dust, pet hair, pulverised egg shells and organic fabric.