Earthworms are a favorite food of chickens and many other small animals.  In fact, the earthworm’s list of predators is a long one and in addition to birds includes mice, armadillos, possums, moles, snakes and even frogs and toads!  In this article we’ll explore: why chickens love worms so much, how many worms a chicken can eat per day, the risks of feeding worms to your chicks, and how to go about producing earthworms on your own. Why do Chickens Eat Earthworms?  Despite their unappealing appearance, the earthworm is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein and other ess ..read more

The short answer is that yes, just as they add value to plants and soil in nature, earthworms can be beneficial in potted plants as well. However, not every potted plant is a good candidate fort earthworms, so there are several considerations to factor in before buying worms and adding them to your plants or beds. Can you add worms to potted plants? Yes - Worms can thrive in certain potted plant set-ups and add value to the soil and roots as long as the environment is suitable for their survival. The key success factors when adding worms to potted plants include size of the pot or container, t ..read more

How to Start a Worm Farm Business: Intro For those of us with a passion for worm farming at home, scaling up your hobby into a thriving side hustle or full-blown business is an exciting opportunity!  This guide is crafted for worm farming enthusiasts ready to expand their at-home operation, and hopefully, their income!  This guide provides a step-by-step approach to starting your own worm farm, covering everything from initial considerations and planning to marketing your products and ensuring you're well-equipped to turn your green thumb into a green enterprise! Benefits of Starting ..read more

Composting with earthworms is a great way to recycle food scraps, yard debris, and manure but what are the best worms for composting and vermicomposting? In this guide we'll cover the 3 main composting worms along with their key traits and the important facts to know about each worm before you buy! What are the Best Worms for Composting? The best worms for composting are Red Wigglers (Eisenia Fetida), Indian Blues (Perionyx Excavatus), or European Nightcrawlers (Eisenia Hortensis). These 3 species are all great composters that work well in indoor and outdoor environments and are ..read more

If you notice that worms are dying or your population has decreased by a significant amount, a possible issue is what's known as protein poisoning (aka string of pearls). This condition is common but can be complex to diagnose, so let’s look at what causes string of pearls and protein poisoning, what to do about it, and most importantly how to avoid it in your worm bin! What is Protein Poisoning in Worms? Protein poisoning, also known as string of pearls, is a deadly condition that can affect compost worms (e.g., red wigglers) due to dietary issues. A combination of calcium deficiency, highly ..read more

Worm bins are a fantastic way to compost organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.  Where to put your worm compost bin is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when entering the wonderful world of vermicomposting. In this article, we guide you through choosing the perfect spot for your worm farm, whether indoors or outdoors, factors to consider, and how to avoid common mistakes! Where to Put a Worm Farm: Indoor vs Outdoor Worm Bins Indoor Worm Bins Indoor worm bins are compact and are designed to fit in small spaces, making them great for use in apartments and homes.  Most ind ..read more

Let's start with the #1 reason we love worm castings - worms and their castings are the culmination of 500 million years of evolution and are much safer, less toxic, and more effective than harsh chemical fertilizers. Frequently referred to as “black gold” and "the superfood of plants", worm castings contain minerals, nutrients and active biology that are proven to improve soil structure and aid in plant and root growth.  If you are already a worm castings convert, click here to skip down to the sections on How to Use Worm Castings in your Garden, House Plants, Lawn, and More! Casti ..read more

Worms dying in your bin is one of the trickiest problems to identify and deal with  in worm composting. In many cases it is difficult to see that the worms are dying because when worms die, they dry out very quickly and blend in with dirt and compost in the worm farm. In other cases, diagnosing issues causing worms to die in your bin can be simple. These are usually related to temperature or moisture issues. In this post, we review the common reasons worms die and what you can do to get your worm farm and wormies back on track! Why Are My Worms Dying: Causes There are 4 common s ..read more

If the cold winter months or lack of care has your worm farm dormant, reviving the worm bin is simpler than you think.  With just a few straightforward steps, you can have your worm farm up and running, thriving, and composting again in no time! How to Restart A Worm Farm To restart a worm farm, first clear out and dispose of old organic material, rotting food, and any other leftover material. Then add a 3-inch layer of fresh moist bedding like peat moss, a few handfuls of shredded corrugated cardboard, and ½ to 1 lb of red wiggler worms. Next add fruit scraps, cover the worm bin, an ..read more

A common question we receive from customers in early summer and late fall is “can you compost with worms outside” in the winter or summer? Many people rightfully worry that harsh temperatures can harm or kill their worm population. Although there are a few risks, you can absolutely be successful worm composting outdoors - as long as you follow a few basic rules that will your compost worms the best chance at survival as temps rise and fall. Why Outdoor Worm Composting Works Composting with worms outside is done by individuals and professional worm farms for a variety of reasons, including ..read more