Earthworms
Whether Natives from the garden or Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida) in bins, Dockery Lane Gardens benefits from both.
Indoors, we maintain several bins (plastic tubs) of both natives and red wigglers. We scooped up natives, culled out the invasive Asian Jumping Worms, then moved them to 'earthworm paradise' where they never want for food or moisture or wormy companionship! In separate bins, we purchased Red Wigglers then culled out the usurping Indian Blues. The Reds also live in 'earthworm paradise'. Both Natives and Reds have rewarded us with population explosions that double almost every 3 months along with providing nutritious castings and soil for our gardens.
As we have learned more about our wiggly house guests and their preferences, we went through several blankets or covers until we designed our own. We also tried several different ways of feeding the flocks until we perfected our own earthworm chow recipe. It's been a journey! Keep on reading to learn what we have learned in hopes of flattening the learning curve with your own earthworm herd.
Earthworm Blankets
Earthworms in bins need protection not only from the elements but also to maintain the narrow range of preferred conditions. After our own trials and errors, we developed our own version of an Earthworm Blanket. Read more of our story on our Earthworm Blanket page. Purchase yours from Dockery Lane Gardens Shop.
Earthworm Chow
Earthworm Chow is an alternative or supplement to kitchen scraps. At Dockery Lane Gardens, we created our own recipe for Earthworm Chow that is easy to use, nutritious, encourages growth, and does not stink. We've feed our earthworms this chow exclusively! Click the link below to learn more about Earthworm Chow and to purchase Dockery Lane Gardens Earthworm Chow.
Earthworm bins have the potential to attract various insects, bugs, and other creepy-crawly pests. None of them are desirable or beneficial to your Earthworm MicroEnvironment. The best deterrent is a healthy bin. Here are the top 5 tips to keep your bin healthy:
1. Keep soil moist but not soggy
2. Forgo overfeeding
3. Forgo meat, dairy, or oily foods
4. remove uneaten food
5. Keep lid closed.
Bugs, Insects
and Other Pests
Too much water and food attract pests. Add to this, the fats in meat, dairy, and greasy foods sends out an irresistible call to pests to bolt to your bin.
Keeping the lid closed on the bin protects your earthworms while flashing the "no vacancy" sign to pests. No bugs allowed!
Moisture Control
Earthworms need moisture but can not tolerate soggy, boggy conditions. They do not have fins in which to swim. to help maintain moisture levels that make for happy earthworms, try these tips:
1. Do not over water and make soggy soil. Less water provided more frequently is best. Also, use a sprayer to mist rather than a water dump.
2. Add dry material as bedding such as cardboard, shredded paper, newspaper, coconut coir, or dry leaves. Add this at any time - when starting the bin or later on to sop up extra moisture.
3. Remove uneaten food that is starting to stink especially fruits. The rotting food provides a welcome mat for pests.
4. Remove malodorous bedding materials such as cardboard that has mildewed or has a fuzzy growth.
Too much moisture is the gateway to really bad issues that take on a life of their own - literally! Fungal, bacterial overgrowth will gladly make themselves at home in the bin bringing more stench and unfavorable conditions for earthworms.
Moisture control begins with monitoring and adding a little at a time as needed.
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