FAQ

If you cannot find the answer to your question below feel free to send me a message at: contact@motherworms.ca

~Steve

Compost Worms

Will worms survive outdoors?

European Nightcrawlers and Red Wigglers will survive outdoors through freezing temperatures as long as they can dig down under frozen ground to hibernate. Their eggs will survive freezing and hatch in warmer weather. African Nightcrawlers are not suitable for Canadian winters outdoors, but they still can survive low temperatures for short periods.

What is the best way to start my worm bin?

Shredded cardboard is your friend! If you are starting with a new bin, worms love damp, brown, non-glossy cardboard. They could eat it all day and be happy. They love hanging out in it. A good 3 inch layer of damp, hand shredded cardboard as the top layer is a great way to start off your bin. If something goes wrong with your bin, stop feeding food scraps and go back to shredded cardboard for a month or two and this will fix many problems.

How much should I feed my worms to start?

Don't overfeed. Start slow with a handful of food scraps. Don't feed again until the original scraps disappear. Overfeeding is the number one mistake that worm farmers make. Save the rest of your food scraps in your freezer, or get rid of them (such as your outdoor compost bin or community compost).

Does my worm bin need bedding?

Add some fluffy compost, finished manure, coco coir or peat moss to your worm bin to create more aeration in the bedding. This is up to you but you can get a more muddy worm compost if you don't add these, which is harder to harvest and to use in your garden.

Does my worm bin need drainage? Can I use the leachate?

Add drainage! Food scraps are 50-90% water. Where will all this go? To the bottom of your bin. Drill a dozen, equally spaced, 1/4 inch holes in the bottom of your bin and put another shallow bin underneath to collect the leachate. Get rid of the leachate or dilute it 100 to 1 and use it in your garden.

Worm Tea

Why should I use Worm Tea instead of Worm Castings?

Both Worm Tea and Worm Castings are effective natural plant food. However, the advantage of Worm Tea is that it works much faster and you do not have to repot or disturb soil around a plant that is already planted. It is easier to use worm castings when you are preparing potting mix or soil before planting.

How long can I store my Worm Tea and where do I store it?

Our Worm Tea is an extract and therefore does not go "bad" easily, unlike aerated compost teas. If stored in a cool, dark environment, it won't go bad or lose effectiveness for a very long time. A good rule of thumb is to use it within 6 months of purchasing. Try storing it in your garage, in a dark cupboard, or even in your fridge.

How do I use the Worm Tea?

If you have plants that are showing signs of nutrient deficiencies, you can mix 1 part Worm Tea with 1 part water and pour directly near the roots or put in a spray bottle and spray the leaves. You should see improvements to the colour and health of the plant very quickly, within 24 - 48 hours. If you already have healthy and vibrant plants, you can dilute the Worm Tea up to 1 part Worm tea to 10 parts water and still gain the benefits of the beneficial microbes and nutrients.

Can I use Worm Tea with other amendments?

Yes, using different soil amendments together with Worm Tea such as compost, finished manures, and other amendments works very effectively and can be very cost effective as well.

Worm Castings

Are there any artificial ingredients or chemicals in your Worm Castings?

Our Worm Castings are all natural and contain no pesticides or chemicals as there is no need for them.

How do I use the Worm Castings?

Worm Castings work best when mixed in well with soil or potting mix before planting. A good rule of thumb is to use 25% Worm Castings by volume in your mix or dig in 1L per 1 square foot of garden bed.