How Do I Start A Backyard Worm Farm For Composting?

“I’ve been interested in sustainable living and have a decent-sized backyard where I already grow some vegetables, but I’ve heard a lot about earthworms being great for composting. I’m not too sure how to start, what I might need, or how to keep the worms happy. Can you walk me through setting up a backyard worm farm for composting? I’m particularly worried about getting the right balance in a colder climate, as I live in Perth, Ontario, Canada.” Thanks, Bruce, Perth, Canada.

How to Start a Backyard Worm Farm for Composting

Starting a backyard worm farm for composting is a wonderful way to turn kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost, boost the health of your garden, and reduce your household waste. Don’t worry, Bruce—it’s easier than you might think, even in a colder climate like Perth, Ontario. I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know, step by step, so you can get started with confidence.

Why Worm Farming?

Before jumping to the ‘how,’ let’s talk about why worm farming is so beneficial for your backyard garden. Worms are nature’s original recyclers, breaking down organic matter into dark, crumbly, nutrient-rich compost called vermicompost or worm castings. This compost is like black gold for your garden—it improves soil structure, increases water retention, and introduces valuable microorganisms to help plants grow stronger. Plus, worm farming is an eco-friendly way to handle your kitchen scraps and reduce waste.

What You’ll Need to Start Your Worm Farm

Alright, Bruce, let’s go over the materials you’ll need. Most of these items are easy to gather, and you may even have some of them at home already:

• Worm Bin: This will be the home for your worms. The bin can be plastic, wood, or any non-toxic material. You’ll want something with a lid to keep pests out and moisture in. The size depends on how much waste you’d like to process, with a good rule of thumb being one square foot of surface area per pound of food scraps per week.
• Bedding Material: This provides a comfortable environment for the worms. Materials like shredded newspaper, cardboard, coconut coir, or composted leaves work well. Avoid glossy paper or anything with non-biodegradable materials.
• Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida): These are the preferred worms for composting due to their efficiency at breaking down organic matter. They thrive in the compact, nutrient-rich environment of a worm bin.
• Kitchen Scraps: Your worms will need food to thrive. You can add fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and even small amounts of bread or pasta. Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods, as these can attract pests and create foul odors.
• Water: Worms need moisture to survive. They breathe through their skin, so keeping the material in your bin damp but not soggy is essential.

Setting Up Your Worm Farm

Now that you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to set up your worm farm. Let’s take it one step at a time so you get it right the first time.

1. Prepare the Worm Bin

Start by drilling some small air holes into the lid and sides of your bin for ventilation. Worms require airflow to stay healthy, but you don’t want too many holes to dry out the contents. Around 5-10 holes, about a quarter-inch in diameter, should be sufficient.

Next, drill some drainage holes at the bottom. Excess moisture needs a place to escape; otherwise, the environment will become soggy, leading to unhealthy worms and anaerobic conditions (bad smells). Place a tray underneath the bin to catch any liquid, often called worm tea, which is also great for plants.

2. Add the Bedding

Fill about one-third of your bin with bedding materials like shredded paper, cardboard, or coconut coir. Moisten this bedding material until it feels like a wrung-out sponge. The bedding serves a dual purpose by providing a home for the worms and helping to balance the moisture inside the bin.

3. Introduce the Worms

Once your bedding is ready, it’s time to introduce your red wigglers. Adjust the bedding slightly, creating small pockets for your worms to burrow into as they acclimate to their new home. Add the worms slowly and gently, covering them lightly with the bedding. They should start burrowing and exploring almost immediately.

4. Add Your Kitchen Scraps

The worms need a food source, so it’s time to offer up your kitchen scraps. Start small; your worms need time to adapt. A small handful of fruit and vegetable scraps will be enough to get them going. Bury the scraps in different corners of the bin and cover each “feeding” with a thin layer of bedding.

5. Maintain Moisture and Temperature

Remember, worms thrive in moist, but not waterlogged, conditions. Regularly check the moisture level by picking up a clump of bedding and giving it a squeeze. If water drips out, it’s too wet—add some dry bedding material. If it feels dry, spritz it with some water.

Temperature is another crucial factor. Worms prefer a temperature range between 15-25°C (59-77°F). In a colder climate like Perth, you’ll want to place the bin in a sheltered spot, perhaps in a basement or insulated garage, during the winter months. In extreme cold, consider adding straw or insulating your bin further.

Understanding the Feeding Process

Feeding your worms isn’t just about throwing in whatever scraps you have—it’s about getting the right balance of materials to create healthy compost. Here’s how to feed your worms properly:

What to Feed

You can feed the worms most of your kitchen fruit and vegetable scraps. However, it’s vital to avoid certain food items that could harm your worms or create an unhealthy environment:

• Good for Worms:
  • Vegetable peels and scraps (lettuce, carrot peels, potato skins)
  • Non-citrus fruit scraps (apple cores, banana peels, melon rinds)
  • Coffee grounds and paper filters (in moderation)
  • Crushed eggshells (good for calcium)
  • Teabags (ensure they’re not plastic)
• Avoid Feeding:
  • Meat, dairy, and bones
  • Excess citrus (oranges, lemons) due to the acidity
  • Oily foods or large amounts of bread and pasta (which tend to create anaerobic conditions)
  • Spicy foods (like onions, garlic, or hot peppers)
  • Processed foods with preservatives and chemicals

How Often to Feed

It’s recommended to start slow. Feed a small amount every 4-7 days and see how quickly the worms process it. As they grow and multiply, you can start feeding more, but always observe how fast the food is disappearing. If you notice food lingering for over a week, reduce the amount to avoid overfeeding, which can lead to rot and unwanted odors.

Avoiding Common Worm Farm Problems

Even with the best intentions, Bruce, your worm farm might hit a few snags. But if you know what signs to watch for, most problems can be corrected easily. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

Bad Odors

A well-maintained worm farm should not smell bad. If you notice any unpleasant odors, chances are the conditions inside the bin are off. Most likely, it’s due to:

• Overfeeding: Too much food can create anaerobic conditions. Remove excess food and add more dry bedding to restore balance.
• Poor Drainage: If the bin is too wet and isn’t draining properly, odors will develop. Drill more drainage holes or add more dry bedding to absorb moisture.

Fruit Flies or Pests

Fruit flies are a common nuisance and can be minimized by burying food scraps well under the bedding. If they’re persistent:

• Use a Cover: Adding a thick layer of damp newspaper or cardboard over the top of your bedding can help keep flies at bay.
• Avoid Overfeeding: Again, excess food attracts pests. Only add what the worms can eat within a few days.

Dealing with Extreme Temperatures

Worms are sensitive to temperature extremes. In colder climates like yours, Bruce, you’ll need to be mindful in both winter and summer:

• Cold Weather: If daytime temperatures drop significantly below 15°C (59°F), move your bin to a more insulated area. Add more bedding or even straw around the outside of the bin for extra warmth.
• Hot Weather: In the heat of summer, place your bin in a shaded area to keep it cool. Make sure the bedding stays moist, as worms will move deeper to escape the heat.

Escaping Worms

If you notice worms trying to escape, it’s likely a sign of unfavorable conditions inside the bin:

• Check Moisture Levels: Ensure the bedding is moist but not overly wet.
• Check pH: Adding too many acidic foods like citrus can reduce the bin’s pH level, leading to worm discomfort.

  Sprinkle a little crushed eggshell or agricultural lime to raise the pH if needed.

Harvesting Worm Compost

After a few months, you’ll notice that the bedding and kitchen scraps are being replaced by a dark, crumbly material—worm compost. This is excellent news, as it means your bin is working as intended!

There are a few methods to harvest the finished compost:

1. The “Divide and Conquer” Method

Push all the finished compost to one side of the bin, and place fresh bedding and food on the other side. Over time, the worms will migrate to the new food source, allowing you to scoop out the finished compost without disturbing the worms too much.

2. The “Migration” Method

Another option involves layering fresh bedding and food on top of the old material. Gradually, the worms will move upwards toward the fresh food, leaving the compost behind. You can then harvest the compost from the bottom.

Using Your Worm Castings

Once you’ve harvested the worm castings, the possibilities are endless. Here’s how you can use them:

• Enrich Your Garden Soil: Mix one part worm castings with three parts regular soil. Your plants will grow stronger, show more vibrant colors, and produce more fruit and blooms.
• Create Potting Mix: Mix castings with peat, coconut coir, and vermiculite to create a nutrient-packed potting mix for seedlings and potted plants.
• Top-Dress Your Lawn: Sprinkle worm castings on your lawn to improve soil health and encourage root growth.
• Make Worm Tea: This is a liquid fertilizer made by steeping castings in water. It gives your plants a quick nutrient boost and helps suppress plant diseases.

Remember, Bruce, a little goes a long way—worm castings are super concentrated, so use them sparingly for the best results.

Preventing Worm Bin Issues During the Colder Months

Considering your location in Ontario, it’s important to pay special attention to your worm farm during winter. Although we’ve touched upon this earlier, here’s a more detailed look at winter care:

• Location: Move the bin indoors if possible. Unheated garages, basements, or outbuildings can be suitable, provided they don’t drop below 5°C (41°F).
• Insization: Insulate the outdoors by wrapping it in blankets, hay bales, or polystyrene sheets.
• Winter Feeding: Worm metabolism slows down in cooler temperatures, so reduce the amount of food you’re offering during winter. Focus on smaller, easier-to-digest scraps like vegetable peels and avoid adding anything that could freeze and cause frost damage.
• Monitor Conditions: Check your worms more frequently during colder months to ensure they’re thriving and adjust the bin’s environment as necessary.

Final Thoughts…

Bruce, thanks again for reaching out with your question. Starting your own worm farm is a rewarding experience that will benefit your garden and the environment. Stick to the basics—keep the worms fed, maintain the right moisture and temperature, and you’ll be producing high-quality compost in no time. I hope this guide has given you the confidence you need to get started. Happy worm farming!