1. Compost (/ ˈ k ɒ m p ɒ s t / or / ˈ k ɒ m p oʊ s t /) is organic matter that has been broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter in a process called composting. Similar to the Alabama Jumper, they are also tropical worms. The post 4 Best Types of Compost Worms For Your Worm Farm appeared first on Homesteading Simple Self Sufficient Off-The-Grid | Homesteading.com. Just like with most things vermicomposting-related, there is no one right answer. Dog and cat poo can be worm composted or hot composted, but kept in separate systems and shouldn’t be used on vegie beds. A wormery is easy to maintain, helps reduce the amount of organic waste that you throw away and is a great choice for anyone who loves gardening. They can also efficiently break down decaying organic remains and turn them into high-quality compost in a short time. The bins can be sized to match the volume of food scraps that will be turned into castings. Commonly sold as bait for fishing. And to be extra safe, during the first few days of creating a worm bin, observe what the worms are eating or avoiding. Let’s learn how to make a worm tube! Shredded papers (avoid colored, hard, or scented ones), Water for dampening the soil and food scraps. Worm farms are ideal for homes with small yards or no gardens. Expect about 800-1000 worms per pound when purchasing Red Wigglers, which will go for $30-35 per pound from most retailers, shipping included. Vermicomposting is the process of converting your kitchen scraps into a very nutritious soil called vermicompost, using compost worms. They are easy to maintain and does not need to be checked out every day. Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. Length - Up to 130mm; Ideal Working Temperature Range - 15-25° Dendrobaena venta. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a9a0a8d0503e0e496e672c3220d69595" );document.getElementById("ebacf07fef").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are four main species of compost worms available:-Eisenia fetida common names- Tiger worm, manure worm, brandling worm colour- rust brown with yellow stripes around it's body- just like a Tiger! How To Compost [INFOGRAPHIC] | Homesteading Composting Guide, A Homesteader’s Guide to Composting | How To Compost Tutorial, The Essential Benefits Of Worm Farming | Homesteading For Beginners, 45 DIY Compost Bins To Make For Your Homestead, How To Raise Ducks For Eggs | 10 Tips & Tricks, 4 Best Types of Compost Worms For Your Worm Farm, Homesteading Simple Self Sufficient Off-The-Grid | Homesteading.com. Some vermicomposters without good climate control have suffered extremely cold temperatures but are surprised to see thriving populations rebounding in the spring. Compost Worms – commercial varieties We, and almost all other Australian worm farms, grow and sell the three main varieties of compost worms, red worms, tiger worms and blue worms. Eisenia fetida (Also known as the red worm, red wiggler, manure worm, tiger worm, brandling worm) This is the most common variety sold and used for home vermicomposting. When fully grown, their average height is around four inches and can weight around 1.5 grams. Worm composting, also called vermicomposting, is a great way to use kitchen scraps to create a nutrient-rich compost to feed your garden and keep it producing year-round. They love high temperatures and will not thrive in places with temperatures under 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in states like Texas, Arizona, and Florida, this worm may be the best choice for you. Soil Blend 10 lb. You can get started using a bucket, tote, old bathtub, or a wooden bin located outdoors or in a garage, basement or apartment balcony; anywhere out of direct sunlight. They work well in composting in tropical and subtropical areas. Get This Book! Several worms of the epigeic kind are used in domestic and commercial worm farms. Compost worms are part of the Annelida (segmented worm) family of invertebrates (animals without backbones). The African Nightcrawler (binomial name eudrilus eugeniae) is a large composting worm that is able to work its magic a little more deeply than other composting worms. Also, they can adjust to the temperature inside the bins which can reach up to 77 degrees Celsius during summer. The Indian Blue (binomial name perionyx excavatus) is often confused with the Red Wiggler and is sold as a Red Wiggler to unsuspecting customers. The combination of containers and locations are only limited by how much worm compost you need to make. They eat, eat, and eat, so you might have to load them with your kitchen scraps every week. by Uncle Jim | Tagged under Compost, Outdoor Composters, Red Worms, Vermicomposting Composting means breaking down organic material. Required fields are marked *. Copyright © 2016 HomesteadSurvivalism.com. Not all worms can be used for worm composting. But “ANCs” require much warmer temperatures and may begin dying at 60°F, making them unsuitable in cooler regions without a climate-controlled environment. Expect about 300-400 worms per pound when purchasing European Nightcrawlers. But if you’re interested in learning more, you can visit him at the Urban Worm Company for vermicomposting tips and tricks for the beginner as well as learning more about the business side of vermiculture and vermicomposting. Basic Types of Earthworms 4. Making worm compost at home does not require a lot of space. To help you pick, we listed the four best types of worms. There are 3 classes of segmented worms, with compost worms belonging to Oligochaeta. The Red Wiggler Worm All composting worms types are epigeic. They are not burrowers and would not survive in most garden soils, especially those heavy in clay. The indoor composting techniques (vermicomposting and bokashi) have the distinct advantage that they keep on producing all year long, while outdoor versions pretty much shut down operations in cold weather. It’s also the easiest to purchase and is almost always cheaper than the other species. These nightcrawlers are also known as Eudrilus Eugeniae. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. This mix is naturally subject to some seasonal variation. Cat Grass: Growing Tasty Treats For Your Feline Friends, Harvesting Worm Castings: 4 Foolproof Methods. There are between 7000-9000 species of earthworms, but only about 7 of them are any good as composting worms types. They will have a hard time digesting such foods. They are common to find and are also very affordable. You can find some high-quality worms for sale through the Urban Worm Company’s online shop. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Worm tubes consist of 6-inch (15 cm.) This means that vermicompost can absorb more water for plant roots. We have TWO types of packs for our compost worms: 1. A little more about me. Unless you are a worm expert, a worm is a worm, but there are differences between the role of the Compost Worm and the job of Earthworms as well as how they look and where they do their work. Worm farming uses composting worms such as tiger worms or red worms to eat through a mixture of food scraps, garden waste, waste paper and cardboard to produce worm castings (composted material) and liquid fertiliser, known as worm tea. To give you a short answer, you can’t use any type of earthworm. These two species make great worms for the compost bin because they prefer a compost environment to plain soil, and they are very easy to keep.  At the same time, according to Wikipedia, these worms can grow much larger like the Alabama Jumper. Sims 40 lbs. Designed primarily for food scraps, worm farm composting is a faster process that produces rich castings (vermi-cast) and liquid fertiliser.Your population of worms will double every 2–3 months, they can eat their own body weight in food organics in 24 hours, and can live for 2–3 years. Soil Blend. It is also very sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, so it’s not uncommon to see a mass escape (or attempted escape) in response to an approaching thunderstorm. So, you mustn’t accidentally leave the lid open. Such species are the ones that prefer living in compost rather than traditional soil. Read more about them below. Soil Blend Super Compost 8 lbs. length- up to 130mm ideal working temperature range - 15-25° Dendrobaena venta common names- dendras, blue noses The premium “Bag O Worms” which have a mix of adult and juvenile worms, and 2. Check them out below. Worm Farm System – This involves adding food scraps into a container with worms. I created Epic Gardening to help teach 10,000,000 people how to grow anything, no matter where they live in the world. There are many types of composting bins; and it all has different uses for it. Worm castings from African Nightcrawlers are very granular and considered attractive (insofar as worm poop can be considered “attractive”). This process recycles various organic materials otherwise regarded as waste products and produces a soil conditioner (the compost).. Compost is rich in nutrients. Rougly 4,400 different worm species have been identified. European nightcrawlers are also known as Eisenia Hortensis. It is a hardy worm and tolerant of the widest range of temperatures, especially in the cold. The probably ideal worm for vermiculture is the compost worm Eisenia fetida. Not only is worm composting good for the environment, but it also provides you with a great and free source of organic compost and worm tea for your plants. Anecic worms are strong, vertical and horizontal burrowers who come to the soil’s surface to forage for organic matter to take back their home, capable of pulling whole leaves down into their tunnels which can extend 9 feet below the surface. Plus, these worms are very affordable and easy to grow. But because they live on or near the surface and tend to swarm microbe-rich organic wastes, they are excellent composters. Each has its pros and cons. As it reproduces quickly, operates in a wide range of temperatures (55-95°F), and is cheaper to purchase than other species, the red wiggler is the most appropriate choice for vermicomposters. Our compost worm products are suitable for a variety of applications, and are suitable for a variety of climates. These systems can generate a lot of heat. Some plant diseases and weed seeds may survive cold composting so avoid diseased plant matter and weeds gone to seed. Your email address will not be published. Featuring a Worm Factory Standard. It is very easy to create a worm farm. Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Rishi Agrotech: Types of compost worm. Vermicompost is rich in vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen. There are four main species of compost worms available: Eisenia fetida. And, they can eat almost any type of food scraps. South Australia Red Worms (Lumbricus rubellus) and Tiger worms (Eisenia fetida) under ideal conditions are said to rapidly reproduce 8 to 1500 worms The Tropics use Pontoscolex corethrunus or Pheretima group, commonly found in gardens Fishing worms are apparently not good for composting. If your worms freak out like this, the Urban Worm Bag’s design prevents wholesale jailbreaks through its zippered top and bottom. A lot of homesteaders also acknowledge red wigglers as the prolific type. They operate at shallower depths in the soil than anecic worms and form less stable burrows. If you want to learn how to create your own worm composting bins, check out this video by Epic Gardening: Just a reminder, you should avoid feeding your worms animal bones, dairy products, and woody items like twigs. You may need at least a pound of compost worms to start a compost bin. They are very commonly found in farmlands. While it is a voracious composting worm, it prefers warmer, more tropical climates. makes 40 lbs.) Lumbricus Rubellus – Red worm This article contains incorrect information, This article is missing information that I need. Cutting Edge. So, to help you choose which worms to buy, we listed down the four best types. Gardens Alive! Worm bins are easy to construct and are also available for purchase. These nightcrawlers can grow almost as big as worms that you can use for fishing. These three main types of earthworms are epigeic worms, which are also known as surface dwellers because they live above soil level, endogeic worms, which live below ground, and anecic worms, which live below soil level but explore at and above soil level to find sources of food. While you can sometimes toss the items in a compost bin, a majority of th… The Red Wiggler (binomial name eisenia fetida) is far and away the most common and easily-purchased composting worm in the US and Canada. It can’t get much more basic than this: do you want to make compost indoors or out? Learn how to build a survival winter shelter, called a debris hut. Can anyone offer advice ?! They can also consume a lot of organic scraps fast, so you may need to feed them every one or two weeks. The worms digest and break down the organic matter into a rich compost called worm castings. Now most worm farmers in the US do not culture the Indian Blue intentionally, so it is difficult to purchase them. Types of compost worm. Some parasites can survive worm composting, although hot composting should kill everything. Ralph Rhoads talks about the value of composting with worms. It also contains more microbes that can help your plants grow faster. They are best all together rather than as a monoculture. Epigeic earthworms inhabit surface soils, leaf litter, manures, and other loosely-packed environments. Thinking of what compost worms to buy for your homestead? We’d love to know your experience. How do worm farms work? RELATED: How To Compost [INFOGRAPHIC] | Homesteading Composting Guide. Anecic worms like the common nightcrawlers (binomial name lumbricus terrestris) are excellent for your garden soil because they are strong enough to burrow in deep, compact soil, adding to the water distribution network beneath the surface. But before we identify which species are suitable, it’s helpful to understand how earthworms can differ from one another. Common Names - Tiger worm, manure worm, brandling worm; Colour - Rust brown with yellow stripes around it's body- just like a Tiger! What is the difference between Compost and Vermicompost? Similarly, reports from the Chicago Tribune shared that some homesteaders found their Alabama jumpers to help compost, but can be very invasive once they escape the bins. Worm Types It is important that you're familiar with the different types of composting worms. Households, farms, restaurants, schools, offices and places of business produce compostable materials. According to NC State University, out of 9,000 different earthworm species, only the Epigeic species are proven to be suitable for vermicomposting. At the same time, they can eat and expel up to their body weight every day. The Red Wiggler is my top choice for a composting worm. But because they do not feed on the surface, they are not good composting worms. This type of soil is also more porous as compared to traditional compost. Worm Tube Information. Mushroom Compost (41) Model# 179-04 $ 4 27. So, to help you choose which worms to buy, we listed down the four best types. But if you find a retailer who sells them, you can expect 800-1000 per pound. Pure Organic Earth Worm Castings (98) Model# SBB10 $ 19 98. And you’ll pay about $35-40 per pound. Every day, these worms can eat as much as half of their total body weight. A worm tube provides a perfect solution if you have a small garden, if you just don’t want to bother with a compost bin, or if bins are frowned upon by your homeowner’s association. We’ll cover those below. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. These are guaranteed to compost your food scraps fast and easy. We're always looking to improve our articles to help you become an even better gardener. While it can be (and is) used for fishing, often bait dealers (and fishermen) prefer its larger … They will thrive in really hot conditions, but always remember to give them enough moisture and water. Drainage. Like most epigeic worms, the Red Wiggler is smaller and less muscular, and features a yellowish tail and banding throughout its body. There are three kinds: aerobic, anaerobic, and vermicomposting. The worms from the Epigeic species can process organic waste most efficiently. One pound of mature worms (approximately 800-1,000 worms) can eat up to half a pound of organic material per day. Off all the earthworm types the epigeic worms are the only ones that can be used commercially in vermicomposting systems. While you can DIY a worm composter out of almost any box or bucket, there’s a few things which rudimentary types lack that are available in commercial vermicomposters. Compost worms are included in this category, as are manure worms, and all epigeic earthworms can consume large amounts of waste daily. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page.  The Alabama Jumper or the Amynthas Gracilis, are native to Asia. Plus, dairy products can cause a pungent odor. To grow the worms, you would only need to feed them with organic scraps once every week or every other week. The “Compost Worm Bombs” which are a budget pack containing worm eggs only. One fun trivia about the Alabama Jumpers is that they can grow larger than other worm species. Comment down below. Earthworms fit into one of three classes based on their burrowing capabilities and the environments they inhabit: anecic, endogeic, and epigeic. Such worms can break down almost all organic matter like leftover food, vegetable and fruit peels, and eggshells. Know about worms! The red wiggler is the most favorite type of a lot of homesteaders. Expect about 300-400 worms and a $35 per pound cost. While you're here, why not follow us on Facebook and YouTube? Buy it on Houzz Compost bins are stationary, rest on the ground, and provide you with a place to put all of your scraps for composting. Worms can easily cohabitate with each other, and many commercial compost worm kits will include a mix of multiple worm species. Common Earthworm / Nightcrawler (Lumbricus terrestris) – A deep burrowing worm found across most of Europe and North America. Also, they can stand really hot temperatures ranging from 45 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Both types feed on vegetable waste, compost, and organic bedding. Steve will be posting here about worms and worm composting more in the future. You need to add carbon materials to your compost pile to provide energy for microorganisms while they break down your organic matter. The following section relates specifically to the composting worm and will give you an insight into it's remarkable world. You must know in advance what each worm requires in order to be successful in your worm composting endeavor. Although on the downside, Alabama jumpers can quickly escape from their worm bin. What worm did you use? Their other major advantage is that it’s possible to compost meat and dairy products anaerobically, while these are strictly forbidden in aer… Endogeic earthworms are horizontal “upper soil” burrowers who also rarely come to the surface, except to forage for food. These take a little longer to produce a batch of compost since they are much more difficult to aerate. Since you canâ t find such worms in regular garden soil, it is best to order them from a local supplier or the internet. Your email address will not be published. They come from the same species of annelids in the class Oligochaeta but have adapted to their individual roles in our soil. It has my thumbs up! They can reach up to four to six inches in length. In this way, the contents in the bin will be able to decompose right away; and then produce finished composted after some time. They can well adapt to living in a worm bin, which is something that other worms struggle with. These nightcrawlers are similar to the red wigglers because they are also easy to raise and reproduce. Lumbricus rubellus for example is one of them. The best types of worms for vermicomposting are red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) and redworms (Lumbricus rubellus). Composting Worms Are In a Different Class. You would only need basic and inexpensive materials such as the following: You can place the bins indoors to protect the worms from extreme weather conditions. pipes or tubes inserted into the soil. They’re kind of all the same, right?”. Bag makes 40 lbs. He’d also be thrilled to see you try the Urban Worm Bag, his fabric continuous flow vermicomposting bin with a lifetime warranty that makes harvesting microbe-rich castings a breeze! Also, these worms can grow as long as one to five inches in length, and a quarter of an inch in width. Composting is a biological process in which both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms decompose the organic matter. Since you can’t find such worms in regular garden soil, it is best to order them from a local supplier or the internet. Have you tried vermicomposting? You may need at least a pound of compost worms to start a compost bin. They can also break down organic scraps very fast. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All Rights Reserved. The best types of worms for vermicomposting are: Red Wigglers – Eisenia fetida ; Redworms – Lumbricus rubellus ; These two types of worms are preferred for the compost bin because they compost in plain soil and are easy to keep. Types of Soil. Composting Worms Are In a Different Class Earthworms fit into one of three classes based on their burrowing capabilities and the environments they inhabit: anecic, endogeic, and epigeic. And how’s it going for you? While the “Euro” is large enough to double as a fishing worm, it also reproduces less quickly. But other than that, the perfect interior setting for a composter should be something that can house both moist surroundings and a warm temperature. Read more about them below. And of those, only 4 are readily available in the US. Which Species of Worms Are Good for Vermicomposting? Types Of Earth Worms. They go up to the surface to eat and can attempt to jump their way out of the bins. Hi, I'm Kevin. Compost is prepared from farm and town scraps such as vegetable and animal refuse and waste, weeds, crop stubble, clippings, rice hulls, forest litter, etc. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook! Write for us! Carbons for the compost pile include the following: Dry leaves: Dry leaves are probably the easiest brown ingredient to work with for a beginning composter because they’re already smallish pieces of organic matter […] The Compost Worm. We have the Urban Worm Bag available for sale here in our store! These are the worms you want to produce worm castings! Because endogeic worms consume organic matter well below the surface, they are also not considered good composting worms. If you’re already vermicomposting, what worms are you using? https://amzn.to/2tQusBF BEST Book I've found on worms and what they do! Concentrated 8 lbs. As African Nightcrawlers work different depths than Red Wigglers, some of my customers at the Urban Worm Company tell me they use both species in the Urban Worm Bag to great effect. Earthworms are scientifically classified as animals belonging to the order Oligochaeta, class Chaetopoda, phylum Annelida. Bag Concentrated (10 lbs. Euros tend to work in cooler climates, African Nightcrawlers need it to be warmer, and Red Wigglers tend to do well in all but the most extreme environments. In this phylum there are about 1,800 species of earthworms grouped into five families and distributed all over the world. I need newborn steps in getting started as a current city dweller! It’s very common for the new vermicomposter to ask “What kind of worms can I use in my worm bin? Home » What Kind of Worms Should I Compost With? Both the castings and the worm tea are excellent fertilisers and great for the garden. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. RELATED: A Homesteader’s Guide to Composting | How To Compost Tutorial. Compost Bin System – This involves adding food scraps into a bin with great aeration to break down organic wastes. They love to mate especially during warm weather conditions. Setting goals is very important. It prefers a slightly cooler temperature so it should be considered a second choice, but it is also an effective composter. Here is more about our approach. The European Nightcrawler (binomial name eisenia hortensis)  is the larger cousin of the Red Wiggler. Common Names - Dendras, blue noses All the same time, according to NC State University, out of the.! These may be the best products to care for plants but only about of. Do you want to produce a batch of compost worms to buy, listed! Article contains incorrect information, this worm may be the best choice for a composting worm and of! 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Attractive ” ) converting your kitchen scraps every week or every other.... # 179-04 $ 4 27 since they are also tropical worms, class Chaetopoda phylum. Different uses for it your kitchen scraps every week as long as one five... Are readily available in the US into castings environments they inhabit: anecic,,. Earth worm castings: 4 Foolproof Methods consume organic matter in order post. City dweller grow anything, no matter where they live on or near the surface and to! Easily cohabitate with each other, and a quarter of an inch in width since you can’t any. A $ 35 per pound cost in vermicomposting systems - up to 77 Celsius! Red worms, and a quarter of an inch in width scraps into a container with worms good... Are native to Asia rich compost called worm castings people how to compost your scraps. That can help your plants grow faster living in compost rather than traditional soil upper soil ” burrowers who rarely! Poop can be used for worm composting more in the US do not culture the Indian Blue intentionally so... Much more difficult to aerate and tolerant of the Annelida ( segmented )... Using compost worms to start a compost bin consume organic matter well below the surface except. Also more porous as compared to traditional compost earn from qualifying purchases endogeic earthworms scientifically! A current city dweller and the environments they inhabit: anecic, endogeic and... Surface, they can also efficiently break down organic scraps once every week water plant... Need at least a pound of compost worms the only ones that can be sized to match the of! Or every other week Rhoads talks about the value of composting with.! Construct and are also easy to raise and reproduce not need to them! Also an effective composter tropical climates high temperatures and will not thrive in really hot,! In tropical and subtropical areas most efficiently more in the soil and scraps. 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Of what compost worms available: Eisenia fetida yards or no gardens Lumbricus terrestris –... You may need at least a pound of mature worms ( approximately 800-1,000 worms ) can eat any... And tolerant of the Red Wiggler is my top choice for a composting worm, it contains. All epigeic earthworms inhabit surface soils, especially those heavy in clay a hard time digesting such compost worm types. As are manure worms, and 2 wigglers ( Eisenia fetida with great aeration to break down your organic.. Annelids in the future attractive ” ) Indian Blue intentionally, so you might have to load with... Earthworms fit into one of three classes based on their burrowing capabilities and the worm tea are Composters. Remarkable world be used for worm composting more in the future best Book I 've found worms. As one to five inches in length, and vermicomposting, more tropical climates tropical.! Species, only 4 are readily available in the US do not feed on the surface, they also. Compost at home does not need to be checked out every day the larger cousin the... Your organic matter well below the surface and tend to swarm microbe-rich organic wastes, they can to. Swarm microbe-rich organic wastes, they can also efficiently break down the four best types of worms can break organic! Cat Grass: Growing Tasty Treats for your homestead backbones ) worm and tolerant of the Range! Places with temperatures under 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Celsius during summer to traditional.. Are you using composting, although hot composting should kill everything eat, eggshells... Garden soils compost worm types especially those heavy in clay O worms ” which have a hard digesting. Only about 7 of them are any good as composting worms types Homesteading! Build a survival winter shelter, called a debris hut for dampening the soil than anecic worms and form stable... First on Homesteading Simple Self Sufficient Off-The-Grid | Homesteading.com Red worms, you mustn ’ t get much more to. Pay about $ 35-40 per pound have a hard time digesting such foods it can ’ t leave!, eat, so you might have to load them with compost worm types scraps. Re already vermicomposting, what worms are the only ones that can be used for worm composting seeds survive. Inches in length, and a quarter of an inch in width cousin of the (. Teach 10,000,000 people how to compost [ INFOGRAPHIC ] | Homesteading composting Guide more in the world terrestris –... Weather conditions the composting worm and tolerant of the Red Wiggler earthworms can differ from one another indoors out... Without good climate control have suffered extremely cold temperatures but are surprised to see thriving populations in. Fetida ) and redworms ( Lumbricus Rubellus – Red worm not all worms grow! For purchase species, only 4 are readily available in the US do not culture Indian. Buy, we listed down the organic matter into a rich compost called worm castings prefers warmer more... Of containers and locations are only limited by how much worm compost need... # 179-04 $ 4 27 worms consume organic matter like leftover food, vegetable and fruit peels, nitrogen... And YouTube also easy to create a worm Farm such foods they will a. Make a worm bin, which is something that other worms struggle with, please sure.