To set up and manage the SoilSouls WormBox is a very simple task – just follow the easy instructions of the Instruction Booklet provided! And remember everybody starts from scratch. The Wormbox is like a “layered” compost heap. It consist of several stackable perforated trays made of recycled plastic. The worms live in the trays and simply wriggle their way up from the lowest tray into the one above, where they can smell "fresh" food fruit, vegetable and other scraps. These scraps are turned into the castings that make such good fertilizer. The solid base has a built-in drip tray which collects the liquid run-off – the so-called “worm tea” (a very nutrient-rich liquid by-product / fertiliser that can be diluted and used too) that percolates down from the upper trays. The tap makes it easy to drain and use.
To create congenial living conditions for the worms you need bedding (supplied in the form of peat moss or coconut coir) to start the farm and a continuing supply of suitable food scraps.
Basically you start with the base collection tray and one tray that has filled with initial bedding (anything from peat moss, organic compost, shredded newspaper (with minimal ink), manure, coconut coir, dead leaves, shredded cardboard, even a small amount of sandy soil). The amount of bedding material depends on a quantity of worms. The bedding should be damp, but not wet. A good test is when you squeeze a handful of bedding the water doesn't drip.
Add the red worms along with a small amount of food scraps buried in the bedding. Allow the farm to settle in for a couple of days before lifting the cover and putting in more food scraps. Bury food scraps in different spots of the tray covering them with bedding material. You will never need to buy bedding again although you may add some in order to keep the bin neutral. Check on the tray's progress and add more food scraps as the worms grow and multiply. Make sure that your worms have enough food - uneaten food will simply rot (although it might start smelling). Also, the bin might initially have some fungi but just stir it slightly - it is part of the normal break-down process and wll dissappear
When the first tray is full of worms and worm castings, remove the cover and place the next tray on top. Put some of the first tray's bedding/compost and food scraps in the new tray. This way the Wormbox can become higher as you add trays. When the bottom tray is ready to harvest, simply put it on top and keep the lid off. The worms will move down, leaving behind worm castings that can be spread on the garden. Scrape the top compost off every few hours or so until the whole tray has been harvested.
And don't forget SOILSOULS' trade secret tips: some neutral lime - just add a small handfull once a month. This prevents any wormbox from going acidic, especially if you feed them a lot of fruit.
AND small pices of corrugated cardboard or shredded paper is great as an added snack - the worms love breeding in it
The benefits of our WormBox:
• Indoor and outdoor use
• Small and compact: floor standing space is 40cm by 40cm. The height depends on the number of trays and how full they are.
• A step-by-step Instruction Manual makes the set-up and maintenance easy and fun for the whole family
• Can add extra trays – up to 7 trays maximum recommended.
• It looks great and the trays are not heavy or messy.
• No odors
• No need to separate worms from the compost
• Everything needed to start is included! Set-up and GO GREEN
