Wormery worries

[deathbysnails]

Happy new year all.

I got a wormery for Christmas (the 'worm works') with a token to send off for my worms when i'm ready. Having read it all through, I'm concerned that if I just stick them all in the wormery now they'll die of the cold. The wormery has to be outside - no shed or garage for it, and no space inside - so I'm wondering if I should hold off before getting the worms.

Does anyone have any experience of wormeries? Surely they don't all die every year do they? Or do I need to provide insulation somehow? Any advice will be gratefully (and wiggly) received...

DBS

[Eyren]

I think you're right about it being a bit cold to start a new wormery - my inclination would be to wait until the weather warms up in spring.

As it happens, there was an item in the December issue of GYO about overwintering your wormery (see p 20 if you have it). Basically you need to insulate your wormery, e.g. with bubblewrap, if you can't bring it into a frost-free shed or similar shelter. I haven't tried it myself yet, though, having lost my last batch of worms to summer downpours (the wormery filled up with water and they drowned)

This year I'm going to try again, and shelter my can'o'worms from the elements a bit better...

[deathbysnails]

Thanks for replying, Eyren. I'm afraid I haven't got that issue - did it have any more advice, or is it simply a case of wrapping it with bubble wrap? I guess i could make some sort of cocoon with bubbles and masking tape.

I was quite pleased to see my wormery had a pitched 'roof' so hopefully the rain won't get in... We shall see.

[smallblueplanet]

Its a bit colder than normal out there, so I hope our worms are okay. They normally 'slow down' over winter, eat less than normal and head to the middle of the wormery. We don't normally do anything to our wormery (a can-o-worms) but I think I better check how they are tomorrow.

As for dieing off, no if they're 'happy' they're self regulating, they breed less when its cold or when there's less food. We got our wormery about 8 years ago and have only had the 'original' worms.

[Alison]

Don't forget that worms live outside and are used to the cold. You don't need to give them any protection to keep them alive but the warmer they are they less dormant they become. My wormery is outside and not protected and is just fine. If you do decide to wrap in bubble wrap then make sure you don't totally encase it as they need some air. Do however agree that it's not the best time of year to start a wormery, I'd lay off ordering the worms until about Easter and then it'll get established much quicker.