Six tips for starting a wormery

Create an affordable wormery using a container with a tight-fitting lid, and the following advice from Yorkshire Worms:

1. Drill small holes in the base and sides of the structure, as worms need plenty of air circulating around. If the wormery is going to be exposed to the elements, avoid adding holes to the lid as the rain will accumulate and soak the container.

2. Use a dark coloured structure as worms are light sensitive, and will stay away from parts that allow the light in. If you can only use a clear plastic container, paint the outside for the required level of darkness.

3. Add the bedding medium, which can be made from a variety of materials. Organic coir block bedding is particularly useful, as you can achieve nine litres of material from one piece. Make sure anything you use is moistened with water, but not soaked.

4. Use half the food from a wormery starter pack from Yorkshire Worms before moving on to kitchen scraps. If your worms stop eating at any point, use the feed again to energise them. You can then recommence using kitchen waste. Only add small amounts of scraps to begin with, building this level up until you become aware of how much is needed.

5. Add cardboard packaging and newspaper, but not glossy magazines. Tear them into shreds and moisten with water, burying them under the surface. You may also cover the surface of the bedding with this material whilst leaving a gap around the edges in order to encourage the worms to feed close to the top.

6. Place the structure on bricks, blocks or logs raised from the ground, fit the lid and you are done! If you want to collect fluid, add a plastic tap in the container and raise one end slightly higher than the tap.

Yorkshire Worms is a family-run business that is passionate about guiding, advising and providing customers with everything they need, including advice for starting your own wormery, composting and improving soil condition. For more information, visit yorkshire-worms.co.uk

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