I can't wait to start a worm farm with my seven year old grandson! He helps me with planting, harvesting and making signs for the garden. He will love this!
I love that you decided to make this a series! Every time I am amazed by how little you actually need to feed these worms. I was worried I’d have to choose between a typical compost bin or a worm compost system for my kitchen scraps.. but you really can do both.
The reason I started the worm farm is I have an extensive flower garden and wanted compost. I had started a compost pile in the far backyard, just a pile, and I am having some trouble with stairs and balance so I can't get back there anymore. A friend had started a worm farm and told me what to feed them and I started! I've learned a lot since then from you. Thanks and God bless you.
Oh I’m so glad. I understand mobility issues. One thing that’s great about worm farms is theyre loe space with high output! Have you seen my aerated work tea video? It’s a very simple way to make plant explode with nutrition!
FREE WORM FARM QUICK START GUIDE:heyitsagoodlife.ck.page/6b5e07c1f1 + WORM FARMING EBOOK: www.etsy.com/listing/876473385/i-am-a-worm-farmer?ref=shop_home_active_1 It's so simple! See chapters to skip to what you want to learn CHAPTERS 0:00 - intro 2:09 - inspect the bins 4:56 - what to feed worms 6:24 - a note on worms and red wigglers 7:54 - best food scraps for worms 8:43 - add greens and browns 13:04 - week one review
Can’t wait to watch. I set up a bin based on the videos by Homestead and Chill. I’m about a month into it and can see the bedding is starting to turn to castings. Opened it this weekend and it had some fuzz all over the side walls and newspaper that I cover the top of the bedding with. Obviously there is a lot I need to learn.
Oh that’s a good video and a simple setup. It sounds like mold and that forms due to too much moisture. I’d double check you have enough air flow and are adding enough browns to compensate for the moisture of food. Good luck
Thank you for sharing this! I am learning alot and excited to get my worm farm started. I am in the process of collecting what I need, but so excited to begin. You really inpsire me as I currently live in a suburban home, dreaming of my one day farm. As much as possible, I am turning my waiting room into a classroom and learning all I can! Thank you!!!!
Great information, I think I really need to find room inside for a worm bin. I keep putting it off but I was just checking out Black Soldier Flies and I am not sure they are an inside option but they do compost faster except you would end up with the adults flying around. LOL
I learned that I did almost everything incorrectly in my worm bin. I totally over feed. I also was cheap and found the worms in my yard. Thanks for the tips.
So I started my worm farm in a 5 gallon bucket. It almost immediately got a sour smell and lots of fruit flies. So I poured off some of the excess water but now I see I need drainage Etc. Thanks so much for doing this series of videos.
Something to keep in mind is a lot of liquid will come out during feedings. In a tall narrow bucket the liquid will settle on the bottom and pool. Its not great for space, but I find a 12-20 gallon Rubbermaid bin works great because more surface area lets some moisture evaporate between feedings.
great job Natelie. I had the worst luck with red wrigglers. I had to go with European Night Crawlers. They escape less than wrigglers. Thanks for sharing.
Loving this series. Hoping to start a worm bin once it gets warm enough outside again. Also hoping our addition is done by next fall so I can bring them indoors 🤪
I can see that you haven't been posting a lot. I can understand why. We're all busy with our lives. But you have gave us knowledge about worms. And you can see proof that your views are high when you post videos about worm compost etc.
Thanks for sharing. This video was very informative, my wife and I haven’t started our worm beds just yet but hope to get started here real soon. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge about raising worms 🪱 you make it easy for us to understand. GOD Bless 🙏🏻🙏🏻😇😇👍🏻👍🏻🪱🪱
I'd like to start my bins sometime in the spring for summer use in zone 5. Can you give us an average time frame we need from start to finished castings, or does it depend on environment for the worms? Thank you, your gentle delivery is very pleasing to watch!
Thank you for the kind words and feedback! And yes of course. You’re right on the money. It’s all about good conditions and proper bin management. Turnaround time is about 2 months under properly managed conditions.
What did I learn - "Damp Sponge"!! Now with the questions. Do you clip the tops to the bins or just set them on there? Would it be better to shred the leaves - and if no leaves, will shredded paper work? What do I want to see? Once you get your bins, your worms and feed them for a while, how do you get that lovely compost? I realize this will be a while, but just curious. Keep it up - very helpful!!
Awesome! Not sure what you mean by clip the tips of buns. Browns count as anything that was once a tree. So paper or cardboard or shredded mail. Just avoid adding anything that has been laminated or has plastic or tape. You can screen the castings through 1/4” mesh. I’ll show you how soon!
Do worms eat berries like blackberries strawberries or raspberries? We make lemonade often and put in frozen berries for delicious flavor after it’s gone we often have left over berries that need composted.
What about cold weather? How well do the worms do in winter? I'm in the foothills of NC & winter can get pretty cold sometimes. If the bins are kept under shelter, will they survive? What's their ideal temperature?
All great questions. I’ll be addressing these soon. Ideal temps are between 45*F and 75*F but their castings offer some buffer room as they are slightly like a form of insulation
Can they get too hot? I’m in Texas where it’s high is 100 degrees. Can I keep them in a well ventilated area in the shade (covered porch)? Or do they need to be I inside during the hot summer months? (I don’t have a garage)
Hello from Canada, I want to try this. But we can’t leave them outside with our crazy Canadian weather. I asked my husband if he could share his garage (wood shop) with the worms.... needless to say, I’m still trying to figure out a spot 😃
Aw. Come on hubby! They don’t smell and they take up so little space. You could always secretly start one under a kitchen cabinet! A well maintained farm won’t smell :)
I’m from Eastern Ontario as well. My parents kept theirs under their sink and in their basement. I have some in one of my bigger kitchen drawers. I will likely add some in the bedroom (I rent out most of my house so I just have a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and small living room to myself). In the summer there will be more outside and then in the winter they will move to a shelf near my wood shop in the basement. Can you make space in a closer or laundry room? Maybe a storage bench in your entry or living room?
Hi!! I live in North County San Diego too and I can’t find the red wrigglers you bought locally! I’ve been calling around and no one has them. $15 for 200 is not bad from what I’ve seen! Could you tell me which feed store you purchased yours from? Thanks!!
It would ether be for drainage, to catch the water dripping out. Or the second bin would be used to be put on top of the first once the first is full. So the worms can migrate up.
I’m not sure. Do you have a minute marker I can reference? Don’t worry too much about switching the bins. I don’t s risky expand mine very much and they’re doing fine!
Well I meant when you opened the lids, all your stuff was in the top, I had expected that top one to be empty, and the bottom one contain the worms and castings
Hi, just wondering if you have white mites in your bins? I started about a month ago and my bins are not wet and don’t think I am over feeding. Recently started seeing little white mites in my bin. Any idea if this is okay? Or I should try to get ride of them? Thank you!
Eventually I will place food and bedding in a second bin and add it on top of the first bin and the worms will crawl up into the new bin so I can harvest from the original bin
Worms are clever and if the bins aren’t too wet, they’re mucous covered castings offer a lot of protection from the elements. However I keep mine on the north side of the house our fence line to protect from ovrrheating
At what temperature do worms need to stay? I know you are So Cal, do they get too hot? Can they get too cold? (I am in Indiana) I am assuming freezing is bad 😉
Haha yes. They are surprisingly resilient! But do best kept between 45*F and 75*F. There are some ways around this and I’ll have to share those ideas soon!
It depends on how low temps go and for how long they stay low. Worms need to be about 45*F to 75*F. I’ll be sharing some ideas on this topic soon! Great question
Just out the bottom! I have had multiple setups over the years. An old “third bin” was this tray thing my friend built. Then I just left the bins over dirt. Now they’re just on the floor. Lol. Not much leachate comes out as they’re not sipping wet
I heard if you put your food scraps in the blender, the worms like it better, also to alternate the sides of the bin you feed on, so they move back and forth. Okay, I will watch your video now and see if that was right.
Can’t wait to have chickens. It takes a lot to be overcrowded. But the easiest sign of unhappy worms is if they try to escape! If you see that. Time to divide them up
Your worms are like kids, not enjoying broccoli so much ;) haha I started out with 250 red wigglers 5 months ago, they have multiplied like crazy! You will most likely have at least double the amount of worms in maybe 2-3 months! Welcome home wormies.
I dont want to be a know it all but when you get a worm ball doesn't mean their stressed. When they're stressed they try to leave their home. Mine don't mind broccoli., they really love watermelon.
Oh that’s ok. That’s just been my observation. I’ve experienced both them trying to escape but also balling up in reaction to not enough food or (what seems like) discomfort. I haven’t had luck with watermelon! Glad yours like it.
I can't wait to start a worm farm with my seven year old grandson! He helps me with planting, harvesting and making signs for the garden. He will love this!
Aw yay! He’s gonna love it!
My cousins kids love the worm bins and you can teach them about what is good for the body and nature all in a bit of time for the child
Definitely on my to do list “Start a worm farm” it’s literally the best thing for the garden/composting!
I did not k ow you can use tea bags for compost. Very informative video. Gratitude. I’ll be using that now
I love that you decided to make this a series! Every time I am amazed by how little you actually need to feed these worms. I was worried I’d have to choose between a typical compost bin or a worm compost system for my kitchen scraps.. but you really can do both.
Totally!!
I learned your setup works a little faster than mine. Might have to change my setup a bit for moving them indoors
The reason I started the worm farm is I have an extensive flower garden and wanted compost. I had started a compost pile in the far backyard, just a pile, and I am having some trouble with stairs and balance so I can't get back there anymore. A friend had started a worm farm and told me what to feed them and I started! I've learned a lot since then from you. Thanks and God bless you.
Oh I’m so glad. I understand mobility issues. One thing that’s great about worm farms is theyre loe space with high output! Have you seen my aerated work tea video? It’s a very simple way to make plant explode with nutrition!
You're so brave digging in your bins without gloves. I heard you squish that grub though LOL
Nice..... Explained Simply ! Good Recap with errors and everything.
Makes you feel it is doable... mistakes are ok and Not Fatal.
😊 Thanks
Yay! ♥️
FREE WORM FARM QUICK START GUIDE:heyitsagoodlife.ck.page/6b5e07c1f1 + WORM FARMING EBOOK: www.etsy.com/listing/876473385/i-am-a-worm-farmer?ref=shop_home_active_1
It's so simple! See chapters to skip to what you want to learn
CHAPTERS
0:00 - intro
2:09 - inspect the bins
4:56 - what to feed worms
6:24 - a note on worms and red wigglers
7:54 - best food scraps for worms
8:43 - add greens and browns
13:04 - week one review
Can’t wait to watch. I set up a bin based on the videos by Homestead and Chill. I’m about a month into it and can see the bedding is starting to turn to castings. Opened it this weekend and it had some fuzz all over the side walls and newspaper that I cover the top of the bedding with. Obviously there is a lot I need to learn.
Oh that’s a good video and a simple setup. It sounds like mold and that forms due to too much moisture. I’d double check you have enough air flow and are adding enough browns to compensate for the moisture of food. Good luck
Thank you for sharing this! I am learning alot and excited to get my worm farm started. I am in the process of collecting what I need, but so excited to begin. You really inpsire me as I currently live in a suburban home, dreaming of my one day farm. As much as possible, I am turning my waiting room into a classroom and learning all I can! Thank you!!!!
Amen sista!!
You have found favor in my heart, and your worms too. God Bless.
I think what I learned from you is the most important thing for the worm farm is maybe the worms.. Ha Ha.
Your little compost pot is so cute.
Thank you! I got it as a bday gift. I love it! :)
Just started my worm farm today! Thank you for the info
Great information, I think I really need to find room inside for a worm bin. I keep putting it off but I was just checking out Black Soldier Flies and I am not sure they are an inside option but they do compost faster except you would end up with the adults flying around. LOL
I learned that I did almost everything incorrectly in my worm bin. I totally over feed. I also was cheap and found the worms in my yard. Thanks for the tips.
Oh yay. I’m glad. Hopefully you can start again!
I will go and watch the series, but was wondering what you use for browns when there are no dried leaves around.
So I started my worm farm in a 5 gallon bucket. It almost immediately got a sour smell and lots of fruit flies. So I poured off some of the excess water but now I see I need drainage Etc. Thanks so much for doing this series of videos.
Ah yes. You can do it in a bin with no holes but it must be kept not too moist!!
Something to keep in mind is a lot of liquid will come out during feedings. In a tall narrow bucket the liquid will settle on the bottom and pool. Its not great for space, but I find a 12-20 gallon Rubbermaid bin works great because more surface area lets some moisture evaporate between feedings.
Great info! Happy to finally see inside those bins 🙃
Make leaf mould! Super simple and wonderful for the garden!
That was the goal. But no ground space to do it in a place where it won’t bug my neighbors 🤪
great job Natelie. I had the worst luck with red wrigglers. I had to go with European Night Crawlers. They escape less than wrigglers. Thanks for sharing.
Interesting!! It’s good to find what works best for you. Glad the nightcrawlers worked out!
Loving this series. Hoping to start a worm bin once it gets warm enough outside again. Also hoping our addition is done by next fall so I can bring them indoors 🤪
Thank you for the feedback!! And yay. Can’t wait for you to get started
I can see that you haven't been posting a lot. I can understand why. We're all busy with our lives. But you have gave us knowledge about worms. And you can see proof that your views are high when you post videos about worm compost etc.
Thank you. I’ll be back soon ♥️
Thanks for sharing. This video was very informative, my wife and I haven’t started our worm beds just yet but hope to get started here real soon. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge about raising worms 🪱 you make it easy for us to understand. GOD Bless 🙏🏻🙏🏻😇😇👍🏻👍🏻🪱🪱
I’m so glad!
I'd like to start my bins sometime in the spring for summer use in zone 5. Can you give us an average time frame we need from start to finished castings, or does it depend on environment for the worms? Thank you, your gentle delivery is very pleasing to watch!
Thank you for the kind words and feedback! And yes of course. You’re right on the money. It’s all about good conditions and proper bin management. Turnaround time is about 2 months under properly managed conditions.
What did I learn - "Damp Sponge"!! Now with the questions. Do you clip the tops to the bins or just set them on there? Would it be better to shred the leaves - and if no leaves, will shredded paper work?
What do I want to see? Once you get your bins, your worms and feed them for a while, how do you get that lovely compost? I realize this will be a while, but just curious.
Keep it up - very helpful!!
Awesome! Not sure what you mean by clip the tips of buns. Browns count as anything that was once a tree. So paper or cardboard or shredded mail. Just avoid adding anything that has been laminated or has plastic or tape. You can screen the castings through 1/4” mesh. I’ll show you how soon!
🤔🤔 ok so definitely gonna have to order my worms instead of digging up from the garden. Thanks again for sharing Natalie I'm taking notes.
Hey Stacy! I’m so glad. Let me know how it goes!
A BIG HI, from an Aussie worm farmer/ micro farmer!
Hello!! 🙋🏻♀️
Oh Natalie,,, this is great . I think I'll try that next year !
Great video!! I’m plugging away farming my worms too!! Added some azomite like you a suggested.
My worms seem pretty happy!!
Thanks for the tips. 😉
Nice! Mine seem to like it and I’ve noticed it helps regulate the moisture. Glad you’re are loving it too
So excited for this series! Thank you SO much! You're awesome. Love all your videos
Aw thank you! So glad you’re here!
Very informative! Loving your new series🐛
Yay. Thank you!
Add some bedding to the top of that mild give it a few days then yes add it your worms will love it mine do 😊
Is reverse osmosis water okay to use
Where did you get your warm bins that are on the shelves?
My friend Steven made them from Rubbermaid totes. He added some tiny holes for ventilation.
Just watched your video again, my worms should arrive tomorrow.
Woohoo!!
Do worms eat berries like blackberries strawberries or raspberries? We make lemonade often and put in frozen berries for delicious flavor after it’s gone we often have left over berries that need composted.
God bless!
Can you make a video on how to use worm compost? Thanks.
I have one! It’s called “how to make aerated worm tea” :)
What about cold weather? How well do the worms do in winter? I'm in the foothills of NC & winter can get pretty cold sometimes. If the bins are kept under shelter, will they survive? What's their ideal temperature?
All great questions. I’ll be addressing these soon. Ideal temps are between 45*F and 75*F but their castings offer some buffer room as they are slightly like a form of insulation
@@heyitsagoodlife Thank you 😊
Can you tell me what do you have in the bottom bin? I am doing just two bins to start with.
I just store my extra bins there :)
Your weather looks wonderful.....we’re getting snow at the moment 😭
Aw. Come get your sunshine fix anytime here at hey it’s a good life ♥️
Can they get too hot? I’m in Texas where it’s high is 100 degrees. Can I keep them in a well ventilated area in the shade (covered porch)? Or do they need to be I inside during the hot summer months? (I don’t have a garage)
Hello from Canada, I want to try this. But we can’t leave them outside with our crazy Canadian weather. I asked my husband if he could share his garage (wood shop) with the worms.... needless to say, I’m still trying to figure out a spot 😃
Aw. Come on hubby! They don’t smell and they take up so little space. You could always secretly start one under a kitchen cabinet! A well maintained farm won’t smell :)
I do mine in my basement. Have 6 single bins
Oh yeah from eastern Ontario
I’m from Eastern Ontario as well.
My parents kept theirs under their sink and in their basement. I have some in one of my bigger kitchen drawers. I will likely add some in the bedroom (I rent out most of my house so I just have a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and small living room to myself). In the summer there will be more outside and then in the winter they will move to a shelf near my wood shop in the basement.
Can you make space in a closer or laundry room? Maybe a storage bench in your entry or living room?
Hi!! I live in North County San Diego too and I can’t find the red wrigglers you bought locally! I’ve been calling around and no one has them. $15 for 200 is not bad from what I’ve seen! Could you tell me which feed store you purchased yours from? Thanks!!
Hey of course. Hawthorne country store in Escondido has a bunch!
I sell mine for $2.25for 50 worms
What's the purpose of the double bins?
It would ether be for drainage, to catch the water dripping out. Or the second bin would be used to be put on top of the first once the first is full. So the worms can migrate up.
What was in the bottom bin if you were adding to the top. I get confused about what to do with the bin switching.
I’m not sure. Do you have a minute marker I can reference? Don’t worry too much about switching the bins. I don’t s risky expand mine very much and they’re doing fine!
Well I meant when you opened the lids, all your stuff was in the top, I had expected that top one to be empty, and the bottom one contain the worms and castings
What about temp. My temps go down to single digits at nights, would they be okay in the garage? Or will they need to be in a more insulated area?
Good question! I’m doing research on this. Sometimes added insulation is enough but the safest bet is moving them inside
Hi, just wondering if you have white mites in your bins? I started about a month ago and my bins are not wet and don’t think I am over feeding. Recently started seeing little white mites in my bin. Any idea if this is okay? Or I should try to get ride of them? Thank you!
What is the purpose of the bin inside a bin?
Eventually I will place food and bedding in a second bin and add it on top of the first bin and the worms will crawl up into the new bin so I can harvest from the original bin
Once you do that will you put that bin you collected castings from Back under to encourage them to go back down or stack that bin on top again?
Also- how do you keep from cooking your worms? I need to keep mine outside however we are in Alabama. It’s super hot and humid.
Worms are clever and if the bins aren’t too wet, they’re mucous covered castings offer a lot of protection from the elements. However I keep mine on the north side of the house our fence line to protect from ovrrheating
At what temperature do worms need to stay? I know you are So Cal, do they get too hot? Can they get too cold? (I am in Indiana) I am assuming freezing is bad 😉
Haha yes. They are surprisingly resilient! But do best kept between 45*F and 75*F. There are some ways around this and I’ll have to share those ideas soon!
Thanks so much!
What should I do, if anything else, if I see my worms balled up as soon as I receive them, other than get them in their environment asap?
Can you have a worm farm outside when you live in a place that gets snow?
It depends on how low temps go and for how long they stay low. Worms need to be about 45*F to 75*F. I’ll be sharing some ideas on this topic soon! Great question
I do have a question- where is the “tea” going if you don’t have a 3rd bin?
Just out the bottom! I have had multiple setups over the years. An old “third bin” was this tray thing my friend built. Then I just left the bins over dirt. Now they’re just on the floor. Lol. Not much leachate comes out as they’re not sipping wet
I heard if you put your food scraps in the blender, the worms like it better, also to alternate the sides of the bin you feed on, so they move back and forth. Okay, I will watch your video now and see if that was right.
That’s for a single bin setup. And blending the food can make it too moist. There are many right answers. Do what works for you
Does it come to a point that there are too many worm in one bin? How to tell?
One more note, I have chickens. And you should totally get chickens! Now my kitchen scraps go to my chickens and worms. ☺️
Can’t wait to have chickens. It takes a lot to be overcrowded. But the easiest sign of unhappy worms is if they try to escape! If you see that. Time to divide them up
Well...Now I know that I have something in common w/ worms.....Broccoli is not high on my food list either!
🤪😂😂
@@heyitsagoodlife Maybe offer a little ranch because ya know, broccoli goes better with ranch! 😂🤣
a Good Life
Your worms are like kids, not enjoying broccoli so much ;) haha
I started out with 250 red wigglers 5 months ago, they have multiplied like crazy! You will most likely have at least double the amount of worms in maybe 2-3 months!
Welcome home wormies.
Haha totally! I see you’re into vermicomposting too! How exciting to see them double. Looking forward to it
@@heyitsagoodlife yes I am, I'm really enjoying it :)
I dont want to be a know it all but when you get a worm ball doesn't mean their stressed. When they're stressed they try to leave their home.
Mine don't mind broccoli., they really love watermelon.
Oh that’s ok. That’s just been my observation. I’ve experienced both them trying to escape but also balling up in reaction to not enough food or (what seems like) discomfort. I haven’t had luck with watermelon! Glad yours like it.
I accidentally put unfiltered water into my bin.... will this kill them?
I have a ton of worms-
I can give you some
Why do you have a bin inside a bin
To expand later. I’ll have a video on this soon
@@heyitsagoodlifedid you ever create a video on this yet?
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻