Worms have their likes and dislikes, but luckily for any would-be worm farmer, they are not as picky as kids (or some adults). Worms are vegetarian and the bins need a carbon-and-nitrogen mix, just like a normal compost system. The “Do-Feeds” Worms like neutral or basic pH foods that are moist, soft, and bite sized. … More Vermicompost 101 — Feed the Worms

Cursory web searches for “vermicomposting” turn up images of stacked bins, but worms are not picky and thrive in many configurations. We can quickly satisfy what the worms need and then concentrate on what system is best for the worm farmer. The Worm Real Estate Market Red wrigglers are near-surface-dwelling earthworms, staying in the top … More Vermicompost 101 — Worm Housing

Red wrigglers are complex composting machines! They’re built to live underground and eat their way through decaying material, leaving behind worm castings, otherwise known as “compost gold.” External Anatomy Red wrigglers are tube-shaped animals made up of up to 120 segments. The name of their phylum — Annelida — comes from the Latin phrase “little … More Vermicompost 101 — Worm Anatomy

Many of us dissected worms in biology class and most have used them for fishing bait, but few know much about the lives of Eisenia fetida. Called “red wrigglers” by composters or “panfish” or “trout worms” by others, they belong to the Lumbricidae family of earthworms and are the only worms you should consider using … More Vermicompost 101 — Worm Life Cycle

Compost systems attract fruit flies — any composter has experienced these little blighters (see yesterday’s post about a fruit-fly trap) — but vermicompost systems mimic the soil and attract a wide variety of creepy crawlies. This is a quick rundown of these insects, many of which are beneficial and help break down the organic matter … More Vermicompost 101 — Pests