Earthworms, and How To Grow Them

1. You will need a wash tub or garbage can or other container that 
Will not fall apart if it gets wet.

2. Make drainage holes in the bottom of the container.

3. Fill the bottom of the container with a few inches of sand.

4. Fit a piece of window screen over the sand.

5. Fill the container with a mixture of two parts sawdust, two parts 
steer manure, one part garden soil, and one part leaves. 

6. Dampen the mix thoroughly, and let it set for three days.

7. Add some earthworms. 

If you purchase your earthworms, use them only for the purpose of 
creating compost. Most commercially grown earthworms are able to 
survive in only very rich soil, or manure, and they are not hardy 
enough to survive in the average garden. 

I always use garden earthworms because that way I produce new 
earthworms to add back to my garden beds.

Keep your earthworm container in a cool, dark place.

Keep your mix moist but never too wet.

Feed your worms finely chopped vegetable matter, moistened with a 
little water. Food that has been run through a blender is best 
because earthworms don't have teeth, and by blending you'll speed the process.

If the food doesn't disappear in 24 hours, you're feeding too much 

Your worm population should double in about 30 days.

In about 60 days, your container should be full of rich compost. 
Empty your container outdoors onto a piece of heavy plastic. Let it 
sit for about one hour. During this hour the worms will sense the 
change in conditions and cluster together. Dig in, find the cluster, 
and add 1/2 the worms to your garden compost, remembering to keep some of them 
to start another worm farm. Add the worm castings to containers, or to make worm 
casting tea...another form of liquid organic fertilizer.

