Many have asked us for a guide to growing earthworms, here we are with a summary that may be useful for those who want to start raising earthworms to produce humus for their own garden but also for those who think of the earthworm as a source of income and want to start a more professional activity that turns into a job.
Contents
Investment and start-up tools
Necessary tools for worm farming. Worm farming is an activity for which no special equipment is needed; you can even start with a wheelbarrow, pitchfork, rake and the water hose to irrigate. Therefore, the investment in terms of equipment is minimal. You don’t need containers or other structures because earthworms just need soil.
The ground for earthworms. No special characteristics are required: earthworms survive in all climates, whether at sea level or in the mountains, they can be in the sun or in the shade without difference. The bins do not give off odors because the waste is distributed when it has passed its putrefaction phase, whether it is vegetable waste or manure, for the same reason they do not attract animals, if there are any a in your neighborhood, measures are taken such as an anti-mole bollard, a fence against wild boars or an anti-hail net for birds.
Where to buy earthworms. To make a worm farm, you must of course buy worms. You can buy litter, by litter you do not mean a container but all the earthworms: eggs, young and adults in their soil, ready to be planted. Once the litter is purchased, you can start with the worm: the newborn will be ready to get rid of organic waste and produce fertile humus. The litter must be prepared according to the space available and the specific needs (quantity of humus to be produced or waste to be eliminated). If you want to start raising earthworms for your garden or even start a farm, we advise you to contact Compagnoni Vermiculture a specialized company that has helped us in the preparation of this guide and which, in addition to selling you the offspring, has the possibility of giving you excellent advice on how to start and continue the start-up of your business.
The investment: how much does earthworm farming cost? The initial cost depends of course on what you have to do: if vermiculture is a hobby, for private use in your garden, a very small investment is enough, approximately between 100 and 500 euros, which you will recoup by saving on composting and waste disposal. If, on the other hand, you want to get into vermiculture for profit, you can start with a medium investment ($1,000-3,000) or industrial ($5,000-10,000 or more). In any case, worm farming is a sector in which you can start with little, earning money with worms is possible even if, as with everything, you have to want to roll up your sleeves. To get a better idea of the expenses involved in this activity, you can read the article on costs and income, which examines the necessary investments and the possible sources of income.
Worm feeding and rearing work
Repair work. Once you’ve purchased your worms and chosen your soil, you’re ready to get to work. The work of the vermiculturist is structured as follows:
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Start of breeding with insemination;
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Regular feeding three times a month;
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Division of the litter approximately every three months;
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Collect humus once or twice a year.
Earthworms feed every ten days with a small layer. The transformation into humus (general qualifier: soil amendment) is done in six months, at which time the compost is collected and possibly left to mature in the open air, or given directly.
How to feed earthworms. It is necessary to divide the ready material (grass, leaves, kitchen scraps, fruits and vegetables, manure, paper and cardboard) which can be piled up in a corner and the material to be shredded (branches). The material to be cut must be shredded and then mixed with the other elements. A better result is obtained the more the material is varied and mixed: oxygenation is improved and the humus remains more homogeneous. Earthworms process well-decomposed and already fermented material more quickly, so it is better to prepare the compost mixture in time, distributing it on the litter once the decomposition phase is advanced, without the typical developments of gas and heat of the fermentation phase.
When and how to feed earthworms. The oldest part is always removed from the pile, the one that is in an advanced state of putrefaction, the worm likes to feed on product with a pH around 7. The food is placed on top of the bin, spreading it in layers of less than 5 cm (every month, at most, a layer of 15/20 cm is placed above the trash can). The amount of food is about 5-7 cm every 10 days, this allows the organic matter to oxygenate and lose all acidity without fermenting. The worms feed about 3 times a month from spring to fall. In winter, on the other hand, it can be difficult to work with earthworms because of the cold and the mud and it can be useful to stop and let them rest. When the first cold weather arrives, say at the end of November, they can be given a double feed (eg 20 cm of manure) so that a little fermentation leaves the heat which creates an optimal environment for the worms. In the spring, the bed will fill with worms and humus production will resume at full capacity.
Irrigation . During the hot months it is good to water often, trying to keep the bedding moist and at a constant temperature, especially in June and July, watering daily can be helpful.
Earthworm farming, as you have read in this article, is a simple and affordable activity that does not require a large financial investment and can give great satisfaction. The humus produced is the best possible fertilizer for the garden, nutritious and natural. If you have any questions or are looking for more information on how to start a vermiculture, we suggest you contact Compagnoni Vermiculture who helped us write this article by providing technical knowledge on earthworm farming.