If you're a fan of composting, then you might be wondering if worm farms can be used inside. The answer is yes! Worms are great for breaking down organic matter and turning it into fertilizer that can be used in your garden or on your flowers. But before you start thinking about setting up an indoor worm farm, there are some things to consider. In this blog post, we'll go over the must-have considerations when setting up your indoor worm farm so that you can maximize the amount of space available while keeping everything adequately contained.
- The dimensions of your indoor worm farm should be based on the size of the area that you can dedicate to it. It doesn't need a lot of space, but there needs to be enough for a tray or bin, which will hold all the food scraps and organic matter. Next, find an out-of-the-way spot where you can place the worm farm and allow it to thrive - this can be a kitchen counter or an unused corner of the living room.
- The best way to build your indoor worm farm is with repurposed containers that can hold soil, such as buckets, crates, barrels, or bushel baskets. You may also use plastic storage bins with lids or any other type of container that can hold soil and organic matter.
- The size will depend on how many worms you want to keep, but a bucket should be fine for around ten pounds of red wigglers.
Some of the benefits of having an indoor worm farm include:
-Convenience: You can tend to your worm farm without having to go outside and brave the elements. Indoors, you can place your worm farm in a spot where it will get plenty of sunlight or darkness as needed for proper composting action - close enough so that there is still airflow around the worms, but far enough away from the worms so that they can't crawl out.
-Fertilizer: The worm castings (or "worm poop") from your indoor composting bins can be used as a fertilizer for plants and crops in your garden, or you could even sell it to other people who want to use it in their gardens.
- Experience with the natural world: Worms are an essential part of the ecological cycle, and getting a worm farm can help you learn more about this process.
- Control over what your worms eat: You have control over exactly what goes into the composting bins with your indoor worm farms - unlike outdoor containers where animals can get to them.
- Safety from animals and pets: Worms attract many different types of animals, so having an indoor worm farm can prevent them from getting to it.
- Money saved on food scraps: You can save money by using less expensive food sources for your composting bins - like bread instead of meat!
- Noise reduction or control: Worm farms help reduce noise from outdoor bins.
- Reduced odors:Worm farms can help eliminate the strong smell of composting that some people don't like, and it can also be done indoors without as much odor escaping into your home.
- Ability to turn off lights during daytime hours: You can use this time for other tasks while the worms are happy and work.
- Much more manageable for kids to maintain: This is an excellent way for children to learn about the cycle of life!
- Not attracting vermin like cats or mice: Pests can be complicated animals to get rid of, so having worms in your home will limit their access - which means less time spent getting rid of the pesky pests.
- Reduced time spent outdoors: You can spend less time in the cold or dealing with bad weather when tending to your worm farm indoors!
What are some of the best considerations for setting up an indoor worm farm?
- Location - Worm farms need at least six hours per day, preferably more than 12 and less than 18, of direct sunlight.
- Size - The more extensive the container you use for your worm farm, the more worms can be housed in it! For example, for every square foot of surface area on a plant bed or soil garden (i.e., 36 square feet), one pound of mature composting worms can consume about 24 pounds of organic material per week.
- Protection - Worms can be sensitive to changes in temperature, so make sure they are protected from the cold! (ex: using a light bulb or heating pad)
Here is a list of some of the most common questions asked in regards to indoor worm farming.
Yes, it is possible for some people but not all. You can't keep them in the dark, or they'll die, and you need enough sunlight coming through so that they stay healthy.
- What should I do if my house has limited light exposure? Make sure your worms are in a well-lit area or provide an artificial light source.
- How often should I feed my worms? This can vary around once per week depending on the type of food you are providing them and how many worms there are.
- What is the best location for worm farms if they're kept indoors? To keep the worms healthy, they should be kept near a window or in an area with natural sunlight.
- What are some of the best food options for worm farmers? You can feed your worms almost any type of vegetable waste as long as it is food safe and not toxic to humans - such as apple cores, cucumber peels, carrot tops, onion skins, and more.
- What can be done if my worms are not eating their food? If your worms aren't eating the vegetable waste you're providing them with; they may need to have a larger container or different types of food.
- How long do worm farms live? Worms can survive between three months and five years, depending on their diet and the type of worm they are.
- What can be done if one wants to purchase a commercial worm farm? You can find some great options for small indoor farms online or at your local gardening store.
You absolutely can maintain a worm farm indoors. There are a lot of benefits to having one indoors vs. outdoors. One of the most significant benefits is keeping other pests like mice and insects away from your farm. You can also know exactly how well your worms are performing by being able to monitor your farm within your own home. Worm farms are fascinating and can provide so many benefits to your plants and gardens! Everyone should consider having an indoor worm farm!
Do you wish your plants would grow bigger? Was your garden less than it should've been last year?
If you're tired of growing puny vegetables and fruits, it's time for an upgrade...Simple Grow Worm Castings!
What are worm castings? Another term for worm manure. Why would you want to use it in your garden, raised beds, and house plants? Because it makes them grow bigger, faster and healthier...with no chemicals!
How do worm castings do this? It's like giving your plants a powerful multivitamin with everything they need to grow. Trace minerals, nutrients, and most importantly...worm castings are chock full of beneficial microbes. Why does that make a difference?
In recent years, we've learned the importance of gut bacteria for humans and know that it impacts so many different parts of our health. The same thing applies with worms. Gut bacteria from the worm's digestive tract gets into the soil from the worm castings and promotes plant health. Plants have a symbiotic relationship with the microbes from the worm's digestive tract. Plants respond to it and grow really big...really fast!
If you've never tried worm castings before, you owe it to yourself to give them a try. Instead of using traditional chemical fertilizers from the big box store, why not try fresh, certified organic worm castings this year? You'll be able to grow bigger, healthier plants that you actually can feel good about eating.
Take advantage of our special bundle sale on 25lb bags today!
