A Beginner's Guide to Worm Farming

Why Recycle?

Approximately 45% of household waste and 30% of all the waste we throw away is organic and compostable.

Yet many people toss their organic waste into the bin and wait for their local Council to collect it and add it to landfill.

What they don’t realize is that organic waste in landfill breaks down and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

This anaerobic process contributes to groundwater pollution as the acid liquid leachate is released.

Recycling your organic waste – by using a worm farm or compost bin – is aerobic, which mean it doesn’t create pollution.
In fact, it turns organic waste into a rich fertilizer to feed your garden.

Our belief at Tumbleweed is that if Australians are going to solve the problem of food waste management and minimization it requires a commitment from all
of us!

About Worm Farming

Worms are amazing creatures. These living fertilizer tubes are full of countless beneficial bacteria and enzymes that help sustain the life and fertility of our horticultural and agricultural systems. Worms dig and aerate the soil, allowing more water to soak in.

When living in your worm farm, worms will eat up to 3-4kg of your kitchen waste every week, then turn it into worm castings (rich plant food) and worm tea (liquid fertilizer) that can be used to improve the health of your garden.

Keeping a worm farm is fun for the whole family and a great way to get everyone involved in nurturing the environment and making your home more sustainable.

How to be a great Worm Farmer?

THE A.D.A.M PRINCIPLE

Follow the A.D.A.M principle to keep your compost bin healthy and happy:

ALIVENESS
Compost is a ‘living creature’ full of worms and healthy microbes.
DIVERSITY
Mix a variety of ingredients into your compost bin, such
as food scraps, dry leaves, fine woody mulch, grass, hair,
herbs etc. After all, variety is the spice of life!
AERATION
Use an aerating tool to aerate your
compost regularly.
MOISTURE
All living things need water, but make sure
your compost is not too wet and doesn’t
become dry like a wrung-out sponge.

FUN FACT

The word Adam comes from the word ADAMAH, meaning ‘Earth’ or ‘Red Clay’.

What to Recycle!

Worms will eat anything that was once living,

Leftover vegetable scraps, fruit and vegetable peelings
Tea leaves / bags and coffee grounds
Vacuum cleaner dust or hair clippings (also animal)
Torn up newspapers, egg cartons or soaked pizza cartons
Crushed egg shells (these will also help with the pH balance)

The greater the variety of material you use, the better the casting will be. Every time you add food to your work farm, remember to sprinkle over a handful of soil from your garden. The worms will use the grit in the soil to help grind up the fresh food waste.