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Worm Factory Simple Set-Up
(9/12/2009)
Step 1
Live worms are NOT included in the Worm Factory.
You will set up while waiting for your red wigglers.
If you don’t have a friend willing to share your start of worms,
Then there is www.findworms.com, to locate a nearby source by mail.
The stacking worm factory includes complete instructions.
This is the simplified version.
The factory is a series of bins to stack.
Starting with the one which has big cutouts, flip
it over to become the base. Then add the bin with
a small circle cutout. This upright bin will hold the slanted solid tray
to drip towards the opening, to which
you can now add the spigot.
Step 2
Start with one tray. This will be the bedding.
First, a few sheets of wet newspaper laid in the bottom.
This is the only time for newspaper on the bottom. We
Assist the worms to stay without falling through.
Soak the coir provided with water. About three quarts will break
it up. Place a couple of inches on top of the wet paper.
Also add some crushed egg shells or sand (handful) for
the worm gizzard.
Next, start shredding newspaper (long curls). Put about 4 inches
thick in the bin.
For a starter of food: coffee grounds, chopped up food like fruit or veggie
scraps. I would microwave fruit and let it cool before adding.
Lastly, add a few sheets of wet newspaper as a top layer and the lid.
The remaining bins are set aside as the worms are processing
and looking for more food.
This is the slowest part, waiting for the worms to build their colony.
Probably two months before worms are fully active. After
that you will be rotating trays.
When your worms arrive, let them loose in a corner of the
ready bed. Lift the paper up and gently place worms.
In a couple of months they will be ready for adding another tray.
You can peek once a week. Do not poke around.
It will be tempting to feed. If they haven’t mostly consumed the
food provided, they are not ready.
Overfeeding is the main cause of too wet conditions
and smell. The worm factory provides enough air
and moisture. You need to make sure their protected
environment is between 45 f and 85f for their best work.
Step 3
Month 3 in set up mode.
Take off lid and flat newspaper cover.
Add the next empty tray. Start this with
Paper curls, 4 inches, food scraps like before.
Then add the paper cover and lid.
At this point , add a handful of food scraps everyday.
Now you can peek.
Lift the trays between tray one and two.
Do you see any worms traveling between layers?
Sometimes they just move all around inside.
Keep feeding at their rate and they stay home
for food.
Keep providing for their needs
Do not confuse this with outdoor composting
and start adding grass clippings (too hot),’
you can add a layer of dry brown leaves from the
outside.
The worms will quietly keep working.
The 16 pages will add more info as questions
Come up.
Relax, you are a Vermicomposter.
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