Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

This week we’re talking about worm farms. Unlike pests like fruit fly, worms are one of the more useful critters in your garden. They have a huge capacity to turn “waste” food into a rich source of nutrients for your fruit trees.

It’s the single best thing you can do at home to provide high-quality, free fertiliser for your fruit trees.

You may not appreciate just how awesome these tiny creatures are. They are truly incredible waste-munching machines.

A worm farm is one of the simplest and most useful things you can add to your garden to rapidly increase soil fertility with absolutely no cost.

Hugh with hands full o'worms
Hugh with hands full o’worms
Photo: Biomi’ Photos

Do you have a worm farm?

If not, why not?

Lots of people think it’s complicated, messy, or expensive to set one up. It doesn’t have to be, and there’s absolutely no need to go to the expense of buying a ready-made worm farm.

Ella with her brand new worm farm at one of our workshops
Ella with her brand new worm farm at one of our workshops

Problems with worm farms

You might have tried to have a worm farm but ended up with a pile of sludge. Maybe all the worms died, or mysteriously disappeared.

These are all common problems, but simple to avoid when you know what worms like.

Making your worm farm

So, here are the 5 steps to make a simple and inexpensive worm farm at home. This will provide the right habitat to keep your worms happy.

  1. Get a suitable box. A simple polystyrene box with a lid will do. You can probably get one from your local organic or fruit and veg shop, or possibly even the supermarket if you don’t have a greengrocer nearby. Put a drainage hole in the bottom if there isn’t one.
  2. Line the bottom of the box with some appropriate bedding material and wet it thoroughly. It should be about 10 cm deep in total.
  3. Add a handful of compost worms. Note: don’t use earthworms, as they have different feeding habits and won’t be happy in a worm farm.
  4. Put the lid on the box (pierce a few air holes in it first). Place your worm farm in a spot with an even temperature – not too hot or cold, and not in direct sun.
  5. Feed the worms regularly, but not too often (be guided by how quickly they are eating the food you’re giving them). Make sure they don’t dry out. Dampen them every few days if they seem too dry, and collect any excess liquid that drains out the hole in the bottom. This is worm juice, and is fantastic liquid fertiiser that you can dilute and use on your garden. Worms don’t naturally produce liquid, so you’ll only get this worm juice coming out of the worm farm if there’s an excess of liquid going in. Be careful not to add too much water and make sure the drainage is adequate, or you can actually drown your worms. 
Worm food
Worm food

Trouble-shooting your worm farm

As long as you’re fussy about details you’ll now have a super-powered fertiliser machine in your garden. Use appropriate bedding materials, add the right type of worms, and feed them the good stuff.

Check out our worm farm short course for more detailed instructions and a video. You’ll also learn the difference between the worms in your soil and compost worms. The course also includes help with trouble-shooting any problems that might arise.

And then sit back and enjoy the lovely “black gold” your worms produce – the finest compost/soil conditioner you’ll ever see!

Related Articles

Women can be farmers too

Women can be farmers too

Katie jumped at the chance to be part of an ABC series breaking down stereotypes and encouraging girls to be farmers.

read more

Get our FREE ebook – 10 Key Steps to Growing Great Fruit

This useful ebook will give you answers to all the topics you need to know, from pests to pruning, and it’s completely free!

You'll soon be enjoying abundant harvests.

When you download the ebook, you'll also get our free Weekly Fruit Tips newsletter to help you stay on track with the little jobs that keep your trees healthy and fruitful.

Just hit "Get my ebook!" to download your free copy.

You have Successfully Subscribed!