A worm farm may consist of either stackable crates or bins made of plastic, wood or any other lightweight, waterproof material; or a hanging basket. Everyone can compost using a worm farm. It takes up very little room and doesn't smell. Worm farms can even be kept indoors.

Worms like to eat food wastes such as fruit and vegetable peelings, teabags and crushed eggshell. They also like small amounts of soiled paper and cardboard. They don't like onions, garlic, shallots, citrus fruit, chilies, meat, dairy foods and fatty foods.

Worms take your food leftovers and turn them into a rich soil-like substance called castings or vermicast, as well as liquid vermicast.  Worm castings are great for feeding house plants, adding to seedling mixes and potting soils or top-dressing around plants. Worms not only help your plants but they also reduce the amount of rubbish that goes in your garbage bin!

• Worms like smaller, chopped scraps because they are quicker and easier to digest.
• Don't overfeed worms. Only give them food once they have eaten most of their previous meal.
• You can store the vermicast or worm castings in a container (e.g. a bucket with a lid) until you need it.
• Worms need moisture as they breathe through their skins. Keep the worm farm moist like a sponge, but not too wet.
• Worms need good drainage. Make sure that the worm farm is covered so that it doesn't get too wet in the rain. Make sure drain holes are open at the bottom.
• Worms don't like direct light. Keep them in a well-shaded area and keep them covered. This will also discourage flies and other pests.
• The water from the worm farm that collects in the bottom tray (worm juice) makes a great nutrient addition to your regular watering regime. Mix the worm juice with water to the colour of weak tea before using it.
• Citrus and onion can cause acidity; and spicy foods like curries and salty foods like potato chips should be kept out of the worm farm. Add a small handful of lime or dolomite every 10 days to two weeks to keep the worm farm "sweet".

Help! My worm farm smells!

Too much food or water can lead to smells.  Stop feeding the worms and stir the material in the top tray with a fork to get air through the material then add some garden lime.  Start feeding the worms again when the smell goes away. Also, make sure that the worm farm is well drained. If it is too wet, the worms may drown.

Why won't my worms breed?

Worms need the right conditions to breed. They need to be kept cool (ideally 18°-25°C) and moist, but not too wet. They will not live and breed in acidic conditions. Some foods such as fruit, grains, and sugary foods form acid.  Sprinkle some lime, dolomite or wood ash into the worm farm every few weeks to prevent it from becoming too acidic.

Pests and unwelcome guests

Ants may become a problem if conditions within the farm are dry and acidic. Add water to get to a wet sponge consistency, as well as lime to where the ants are gathering.  To get rid of maggots, put some milk-soaked bread in the feeding tray to attract the maggots.  Leave it there for a few days and then dispose of it. To avoid the problem, keep the worm bed covered with a Hessian sack or piece of carpet. If your worm farm sits on legs, place each leg in a bowl of water. This will prevent unwanted creatures from climbing in.

• Almost half the contents of the average garbage bin are food and garden organics.
• Compost worms can consume their own body weight in food every day!
• There is a difference between an earthworm and a compost worm. Red Wriggler worms, Blue worms and Tiger worms are the most suitable for worm farms.
• Worms can live for 5 years or more.
• Worm farms can be kept outside, inside on the balcony or in the garage.
• Vermicast can increase the amount of nutrients available to your plants by up to 10 times.