best way to raise worms?
Me and my dad wanted to start ranching worms.I just wanted to know the basics.What is the best worms to use?How many containers do I need.What size containers do I need.What do I feed them.We just wanted to ranch them instead of always having to shovel them out every week.
If you are vermicomposting, I suggest red wigglers. You can get them in bait shops. They do not live in the soil. You can use shredded newspaper that is kept damp like a wet sponge. 1 pound of worms can take care of the kitchen scraps for a family of four. You put them into a plastic-opaque container that you have drilled 1/4 inch holes in the bottom, sides, and top–because they have to breathe. Then feed them coffee grounds, food scraps, –they even eat the newspaper. But remember, they don't live in the soil. The worm castings are like a mega-dose of plant food. I went to a class last week about how to do it, and I'm really stoked about trying it! The class instructor's container was about 2' long, 1' high, and about 1' to 1 1/2' wide.
Here are a few resources for you:
This is a good article on worm farming from The New Farm: http://www.newfarm.org/features/0903/worms/index.shtml
This website from the Louisiana Dept of Environmental Quality tells you which worms to use, what to feed them and how to house them. http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/tabid/2101/Default.aspx
You might also want to check with your County Extension Office. They may have specific information for your area.
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For larger scale operations, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service lists the following Vermicompost Resources
Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada http://www.oacc.info/DOCs/Vermiculture_FarmersManual_gm.pdf
Vermicomposting Resources. Rhonda Sherman, NCSU http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/vermiculture/
Snapshots of Selected Large-Scale Vermicomposting Operations. Rhonda Sherman, NCSU
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/vermiculture/snapshot.html
Raising Earthworms Successfully. Rhonda Sherman, NCSU http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/earthworms.pdf
Best Practice Guideline to Managing On-site Vermiculture Technologies. Recycled Organics Unit, University of New South Wales (Australia) http://www.recycledorganics.com/publications/reports/vermiculturebpg/vbpg.htm
Literature Review of Worms in Waste Management, Vols. 1 and 2 Recycled Organics Unit, University of New South Wales (Australia) http://www.recycledorganics.com/publications/reports/vermlitreview/vermlitreview.htm
Good luck!
References :
If you are vermicomposting, I suggest red wigglers. You can get them in bait shops. They do not live in the soil. You can use shredded newspaper that is kept damp like a wet sponge. 1 pound of worms can take care of the kitchen scraps for a family of four. You put them into a plastic-opaque container that you have drilled 1/4 inch holes in the bottom, sides, and top–because they have to breathe. Then feed them coffee grounds, food scraps, –they even eat the newspaper. But remember, they don't live in the soil. The worm castings are like a mega-dose of plant food. I went to a class last week about how to do it, and I'm really stoked about trying it! The class instructor's container was about 2' long, 1' high, and about 1' to 1 1/2' wide.
References :