Tips for Earthworm Farming

Earthworm farming, also known as vermicomposting, is a natural way of composting garbage such as fallen leaves, kitchen waste and various other discarded wastes. The vermin-compost gained from earth-worm farming contains favorable microorganisms and nutrients for plants. Thus, it can be utilized as a tremendous soil conditioner and nutrient supplement in gardening. Some worm farmers own this business of earth-worm farming to provide compost commercially. It is quite easy, given that farmer comprehends the requirements of worm properly. A general rule of earth-worm composting is to make the medium moist and safeguard it from cold temperature, water accumulation.

There are several earthworm species that diverge in their basic nature, so picking up the right earth-worm species is extremely imperative for successful farming. Most of the farmers employ red wrigglers as major species for vermin-composting, because they are not stinking, and reproduce quicker than other species. To get started with farming, one can buy these worms from pet stores or bait shops. One can choose to purchase small size worm or fully-grown ones that are three inches in length. The very next step involved in earthworm farming is to make a medium for worms by putting the bedding together with manure. Several bedding alternatives include plain dirt, sawdust, leaves, shredded paper, peat moss or the combination of all these. Although, ‘peat moss' is good for earth-worms, it is costlier than various other choices for making earthworm medium.

After one has decided appropriate bedding option for earthworm farming, he needs to mix it up with 40 to 50 % manure. The mixture should be mixed carefully by adding some water, until medium becomes damp. Whilst doing so, one needs to make sure that medium is moist, not wet, otherwise the worms will start moving away from medium slowly. It is recommended to keep medium to the side for about 2 weeks to permit decomposition. Earthworms must not be brought in decomposition phase as higher temperature of medium is unfavorable for worms. One can bring in earth-worms into medium after 2 weeks when warmth cools down. Sooner or later, leaf litters and kitchen garbage can also be added from garden into medium. Things which one can incorporate for farming worms in food are chopped fruits or unused vegetables, cornmeal, paper or soiled letter of rabbits or rats. Some avoidable food items for earthworms are oil, dog or cat feces and meat.

Furthermore, it is asserted in worm farming that earthworms can eat kitchen wastage equal to weight everyday. So, one should always add kitchen waste or other material to such an extent that worms can clean-up within one day or two. Or else, too much feeding of waste materials can result into acidity and stinking smell of medium which may kill the worm. To ventilate the medium in making a worm farm one can change it once in every week.