Question 1

What is vermicomposting?

Accepted Answer

Vermicomposting is the process of using worms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost called worm castings. It's an efficient, odorless way to recycle kitchen scraps and create premium fertilizer for your garden. The worms consume organic matter and produce castings that are packed with beneficial microorganisms, enzymes, and plant nutrients.

Question 2

Which worms are best for composting?

Accepted Answer

We recommend Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida) for beginners and African Night Crawlers (Eudrilus eugeniae) for more experienced composters. Red Wigglers are smaller, reproduce quickly, and thrive in bins. African Night Crawlers are larger, more active, heat-tolerant, and excellent for both composting and fishing bait. Both species are voracious eaters and produce high-quality castings.

Question 3

How many worms do I need to start?

Accepted Answer

For a household of 2-4 people, start with 1-2 lbs of worms (approximately 1,000-2,000 worms). They'll consume about half their body weight in food daily. As your worm population grows, they'll handle more waste. If you have more kitchen scraps or a larger household, consider starting with 5 lbs for faster processing.

Question 4

What can I feed my worms?

Accepted Answer

Worms love fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, crushed eggshells, shredded paper, and cardboard. Avoid meat, dairy, oily foods, citrus (in large quantities), onions, and garlic. Keep the bin balanced with a mix of 'greens' (nitrogen-rich food scraps) and 'browns' (carbon-rich paper/cardboard).

Question 5

How do I care for my worms?

Accepted Answer

Keep your worms in a dark, well-ventilated bin at 55-77°F (13-25°C). Maintain moisture like a wrung-out sponge—not too wet, not too dry. Feed them regularly but don't overfeed. Bury food scraps under bedding to prevent fruit flies. Check weekly for proper moisture and temperature. Harvest castings every 3-6 months.

Question 6

What if my worm bin smells bad?

Accepted Answer

A healthy worm bin should smell earthy, not foul. Bad odors indicate overfeeding, too much moisture, or lack of oxygen. Solutions: Stop feeding for a week, add dry bedding (shredded newspaper or cardboard), mix the bin contents to add air, and ensure proper drainage. Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods which cause odors.

Question 7

Can worms survive in Florida's climate?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In Brooksville, Florida, worms thrive year-round when kept in the right conditions. Keep bins in shaded areas during summer to prevent overheating (above 85°F can stress worms). In winter, bins rarely get too cold in Florida, but if temperatures drop below 50°F, move bins to a garage or cover with insulation.

Question 8

How long do composting worms live?

Accepted Answer

Red Wigglers live 2-5 years, while African Night Crawlers can live 3-5 years in optimal conditions. They reproduce rapidly, with each cocoon producing 2-4 baby worms. African Night Crawlers are particularly well-suited to Florida's warm climate. A healthy population will sustain and grow itself indefinitely with proper care.

Question 9

What are worm castings and why are they beneficial?

Accepted Answer

Worm castings are the nutrient-rich organic matter produced when earthworms digest and process organic materials. Often called 'black gold' by gardeners, they are 100% humus—fully decomposed organic matter in its most stable form. Castings contain essential macronutrients with an NPK ratio typically ranging from 1-0-0 to 5-5-3, along with abundant micronutrients including iron, sulfur, magnesium, zinc, copper, and calcium. Beyond basic nutrients, castings are enriched with beneficial microorganisms, enzymes, and humic acids—complex organic compounds that act as natural plant growth stimulants. They dramatically improve soil structure by increasing porosity and water-holding capacity, enhance nutrient cycling, and help suppress soil-borne disease pathogens. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, castings release nutrients slowly through a natural time-release mechanism, meaning they won't burn even the most sensitive plants and can be applied liberally.

Question 10

How do I use worm castings in my garden?

Accepted Answer

Mix castings into potting soil (25% castings, 75% soil), top-dress around plants (1/4-1/2 inch layer), or brew Worm Compost Tea. For seedlings, add 1 tablespoon per 4-inch pot. For established plants, side-dress with 1-2 cups per plant monthly. For lawns, spread 10-20 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. Castings are gentle and won't burn roots.

Question 11

What is Worm Compost Tea and how do I use it?

Accepted Answer

Worm Compost Tea (or vermicompost tea) is a liquid fertilizer made by steeping worm castings in water. Our concentrate is ready to dilute and use. Mix 1 part concentrate with 10 parts water for foliar spray or soil drench. Apply every 2 weeks during growing season. It delivers nutrients and beneficial microbes directly to plants, promoting healthy growth and disease resistance.

Question 12

How should I store worm castings and Worm Compost Tea?

Accepted Answer

Store dry worm castings in a cool, dark place in a breathable bag or container. They'll stay viable for up to 6 months if stored properly. Worm Compost Tea concentrate should be used within 48 hours for best results. After 48 hours, much of the beneficial live microorganisms may have disappeared.

Question 13

How are worms shipped?

Accepted Answer

We ship live worms in breathable bags with bedding and moisture. Orders ship Monday-Wednesday to ensure worms don't sit in transit over weekends. We use USPS Priority Mail (2-3 days) with ventilated packaging. Worms arrive healthy and ready to work. Open the package immediately upon arrival and transfer worms to their new home.

Question 14

What if my worms arrive dead or unhealthy?

Accepted Answer

We guarantee live delivery! While rare, if worms arrive dead or unhealthy due to shipping issues, contact us within 24 hours with photos. We'll send a replacement shipment or issue a full refund. Our worms are carefully packaged and 99% arrive in excellent condition. We stand behind our quality guarantee.

Question 15

Do you offer local pickup in Brooksville, Florida?

Accepted Answer

Local pickup will be available in select marketplaces. Contact us for more details about pickup locations and availability.

Question 16

How long do worm castings and Worm Compost Tea stay fresh?

Accepted Answer

See page for answer

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started with Vermicomposting

Worm Care & Maintenance

Using Worm Castings & Worm Compost Tea

Orders & Shipping

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