D.I.Y.
Worm Farm
This factsheet provides information about D.I.Y. Worm Farm ideas on how to create
your own at home.
Worms are clever little critters that will devour your drainage hole per square inch in the bottom of one
fruit and veggie scraps, leftover cardboard and even (1) box (this will become the top box where your
cavum cleaner dust to make rich fertiliser for your worms will live). Take the second box and make a
garden. Follow these simple steps to make your very final larger drainage hole in one end.
own farm out of polystyrene boxes. The ‘worm wee’ will drain from the top box into the
Getting Started bottom box and then out of the drainage hold in the
bottom box into a collection container.
Before constructing your worm farm, you will need
to purchase about 1000 compost worms to get your Step 2:
farm started. Also, try to think of a cool shady To stop the worms from falling through the drainage
location where your worms can prosper (this could holes, spread insect screen or net curtain inside the
even be inside). bottom of the top box. The insect screen still allows
What will you need? the ‘worm wee’ to pass through. Put a 10cm thick
layer of expanded coir-peat (or compost mix) on the
• 2 x polystyrene boxes with lids the same base of the top box.
size (broccoli boxes are best);
• a strip of insect screen, net curtain or similar TIP: Water this layer gently and frequently to keep it
moist, correct moisture levels will help your worms
to fit into the bottom of one box;
digest all the scraps you add to your worm farm.
• a ‘Cor-peat brick’ (expanding using the
instructions on the pack) or; a bucket of Step 3:
compost mixed with shredded newspaper, Not it is time to add the compost worms to your
mulch and /or sand; farm. Make sure you place a moist layer of
• water; newspaper, hessian sack or old carpet over the
• 1000 composting worms. worms to keep the farm dark, cool and moist. Keep
Note: Composting worms are not the same as the lid on the box whenever you are not using it. The
ordinary earthworms. You will need to purchase lid helps to keep moisture in and light out.
composting worms from a garden centre. Step 4:
Alternatively, if you know someone with worm farm,
take a handful of their compost worms to kick start Once your worms have settled in, you can begin
your system. feeding them. Make sure you don’t over feed them.
To test how much food you should be placing in the
Worm farm assembly farm, put a small amount in one corner underneath
Step 1: damp cover and see how long it takes for the worms
Take your polystyrene boxes and place them on the to consume it. Place the food scraps in a different
ground in the shade or inside. Use a pen or spot each time until you are aware of the rate to feed
screwdriver to make approximately one small your worms. As your worms multiply, they will be
able to eat more food.
For further information contact Council ‘s email [email protected] or
call 1300 789 279 or 07 4189 9100.
www.southburnett.qld.gov.au southburnettregion
What to feed your worms Further Information?
Your worms will eat most of your fruit and vegetable You can contact Council for further information in
scraps, but there are a few things they would rather any of the following ways:
avoid. Just remember, the smaller the food is the
South Burnett Regional Council
quicker your worms will eat it. You can chop or
blend food before feeding your worms. PO Box 336
KINGAROY QLD 4610
Feed your worms any of these foods (07) 4189 9100
• Fruit peelings;
[email protected] • vegetable scraps and peelings; Visiting a Customer Service Centre
• coffee grounds and tea bags;
• crushed egg shells; shredded paper and
sawdust;
• hair clippings or fur;
• vacuum cleaner dust;
• soaked or shredded cardboard.
Do not feed your worms any of these foods
• Meat, poultry, fish or bones;
• dairy-protein attracts rodents;
• potato chips, lollies, oils – worms do not like
junk food and these attract ants;
• oranges, lemons, limes – citrus has a
chemical substance (limonene) that is toxic
to worms.
Reaping the rewards
Over time your worms will start to produce a liquid
known as ‘worm tea’ or ‘worm wee’, which will collect
and drain from the bottom box of your worm farm.
This liquid can be used as a natural fertiliser for your
garden. Simply collect the ‘wee’ and dilute it by
adding water so that it ends up the colour of weak
tea. Then pour into your plants every couple of
weeks.
If you are not getting much worm wee from your
farm, pour some water from a watering can over the
worms. The worms will love the dampness and,
providing the drainage holes are free from
obstructions, the water will wash the goodness into
your bottom collection box giving you a fantastic
natural liquid fertiliser to use on your garden.
After a few months, a layer of worm castings will
build up in the bottom of the top box. If you set up a
new box on top, and transfer the worms across into
it, you can empty out the castings and spread these
over your garden just like compost. The plants will
love it.
For further information contact Council ‘s email [email protected] or
call 1300 789 279 or 07 4189 9100.
www.southburnett.qld.gov.au southburnettregion
