of earthworms may decrease if optimal humidity is not provided. Earthworms
like the dark, so do not place the worm composter in the direct sunlight. The best
place for earthworms is in the shade.
Which earthworms should I use for the worm farm?
There is a particular species of earthworms that was bred specifically for
composting and that you should use in your worm farm. They are called the
California hybrid or tiger worms (in Latin it‘s Eisenia andrei). Unlike their common
relatives known as redworms (Eisenia fetida), tiger worms are much more eager
to eat, that is to compost, and reproduce faster. You can buy the tiger worms can
be bought from specialized sellers. Please be aware that in hot summer months
it’s not possible to send earthworms in mail. You should also select a seller who
will send you earthworms including compost (that is not just clean worms in
a box).
How to use vermicompost and worm tea?
Vermicompost is the best fertilizer you can give your plants. It contains active
enzymes and minerals. I tis added to soil in planters of indoor plants or directly
on the plant bed. If you mix vermicompost with soil, you can use it as a classic
substrate. It’s also effective as a starter for plant germination process. Earthworm
tea is an excellent liquid fertilizer for herbs, indoor plants as well as the garden. It
contains high levels of nutrients and enzymes that promote growth and help bulit
plant resistance against pests. You can tap off the earthworm tea into a plastic or
glass bottle. It’s best diluted with water in the 1:9 ratio. Use the diluted earthworm
tea to water plants or spray it on their foliage.
When it doesn’t work as it should…
The worm farm exudes odor:
A properly maintained vermikompostér doesn’t
have an unpleasant smell. If the odor appears, it’s most often because the
earthworms can’t manage to process all the bio-waste, therefore lower its
amount. The unprocessed waste also causes high humidity of the composted
material, that then rots and exudes odor. Dry the contents of the worm farm with
pieces of shredded paper, newspaper, cartons or paper egg crates. Another
reason for an unpleasant odor may be remnants of stalk vegetables or potatoes.
These are best introduced to composting only after a few months, when the
earthworms are sufficiently active for timely processing.
The lack of earthworms:
A lack of earthworms is a signal that the earthworms
aren’t breeding in the Worm Farm, because they don’t feel well in it. Try to change
the composition of bedding and bio-waste and also fine-tune the moisture level
of the composted material.
Too many earthworms:
If you have a lot of small earthworms in the worm farm,
you can donate them to someone. You shouldn’t let them out because they may
not be a native species and are not used to cold, so they wouldn’t survive a winter.
The earthworms drop through:
If any earthworms accidentally fall into the
bottom part (D), return them to the lower composting tray (B2) and check that the
filter textile grid is correctly positioned.
Mould:
Should mould appear in the worm farm, it is most often because the
earthworms can’t manage to process the bio-waste, so decrease its amount.
Remove the mouldy pieces. If there is only a little bit of mould, simply cover it with
a layer of composted bio-waste.
The worm farm mix is too moist:
Should in the worm farm material be too moist,
add pieces of shredded paper, newspaper or paper egg crates. Leave the lid
slightly ajar until the moisture level drops.
The worm farm mix is too dry:
Should in the worm farm material be too dry,
moisten it with a water spray or pieces of shredded dampened paper, newspaper
or paper egg crates.
Earthworm escapes:
When the earthworms have plenty of moisture and food,
they have no reason to run. Even then, should this happen, make sure the worm
farm isn’t too dry and if so, moisten it with a water spray or pieces of dampened
paper. Further check that all parts of the worm farm fit tightly. The earthworms
have no way to escape a properly assembled Urbalive worm farm.
Holiday:
Holiday is no problem. Earthworms can easily make it for two weeks
without food. But they survive without food a maximum to four weeks
Worm farm maintenance and cleaning.
After pouring out the worm tea from the vermicomposter, wash the bottom part
with the pouring outlet. Also wash the composting tray from which you removed
the mature compost. Simply wash both parts with dishwashing liquid and rinse
thoroughly. You can rinse the filter textile under warm running water, or replace it
with the spare one you will find in the package.
Disassembling:
Disassemble the worm farm in the same way as you assembled it. Separate the
individual trays, remove the filter textile and cover felt, and remove the feet from
the bottom part.
Spare Parts:
Do you need any spare parts for your worm farm? On the website www.plastia.eu
or by your dealer, you can buy the following spare parts.
Disposal:
Send the plastic parts of the composter for ecological disposal, either by placing
them in a container for plastics (the plastic parts) or by taking them to a local
collection yard. Dispose of the filter textile in mixed waste. The disposal must be
carried out in compliance with the appropriate government directive (European
directive) – Act 185/2001 (2002/95/EC) on Waste and amendments to certain
other acts, as amended.
Warranty conditions:
The worm farm comes with a warranty of 24 months from the date of receipt.
The warranty is only provided for justified cases and covers material and
manufacturing defects. The warranty is only valid if the product is used according
to the operating instructions.
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