Hi Gareth, I've operated a Tumbleweed Worm Café for over 2 years. I put a few handfuls of bedding in the bottom for the worms who go down there anyway. Every month or so I scoop up the castings plus worms from the bottom and put them back on the top working tray. I love the system! This is a great video for someone just starting out. ~ Sandra
Thank you for sharing. I was looking into this for my plants and I was hoping this was worth buying. After watching your video I will be purchasing one ASAP.
Hellooooo 👋! Just wanted to say thanks for sharing this! I have raised money with in my school for a wormfarm for cooking class and the canteen and you have really helped me understand how to put it all together! 😊❤
your compost and worm farm is looking awesome! I have just started the exact worm farm about 6 weeks ago but only one tier. I will do the others after work tomorrow. May buy some more bedding and worms and add more food. Love it! Thanks. I see this was done 3 years ago... are you still doing them?
I love to freeze my waste vegetables , they go very soft and the worms really love that as it’s easier for them to eat it rather than solid pumpkins and things that take a long time to break down as well.
Yep you can do that of course with the cardboard. If you have lots of worms like me it doesn't take long for the scraps to be eaten. If you do put to much in I'll put a layer of straw down. That seems to fix it.
Gee, I would have just used the top layer of an existing bin to start the new one and added the coir to the 2nd level. Easy to do and gets it off to a good start. Also if you're getting any smells in there, try covering the food scraps with bedding. I normally use shredded paper/card.
Thanks mate, this was really helpful. I've made my own videos myself and wanted to get back into it and would rather not watch myself lol. I had the can o worms but these ones look a little taller. The can o worms I remember I only was able to use a tiny bucket to catch tea, if these are taller I'd rather get this one
Fraser you're amazing. I just got this same one off our council who is encouraging worm farms. I'm a little disappointed that block they provide isn't enough and I only have old chicken manure and not old potting mix. Should I buy another block?
The instructions that come with it are confusing and each video I’ve watched says something different. I’ve only used the one working tray and put the two aside until the tray is full. Is that going to be ok? Then do I start adding food to the second tray and put my worm blanket on top? Thanks
not sure if you are aware that you put the cardboard wrapping and the coir block in as well in the bottom.. with the bedding its quite high and touches the bottom tray when you do it that way...
hi thank you for replying to me in my other comment.... i have filled the first working tray above the worms in one week as I am plant based eater... can i put the other spare tray on and fill that ??? as the box of worms from bunnings they are very young worms... and just wondering if they could get to the top tray as well???
Yes if you have the contents in the tray below touching the tray above so the worms can migrate up. Just remember if you have too much green waste and only a small amount of worms your food scraps will rot and you may get maggots.
Even though you have a lot of worms it looks like you have too much food in the trays. It should be that you have just enough food in the trays to keep the worms going. Too much food will attract flies and bugs, and the mix will start to smell and go rancid.
G'day David. Yes sometimes that happens. I find if I put a layer of straw down on top of the scraps it soon fixes thing up. Never had it smell or go rancid.
I added the third tray 10 days ago. I put two sheets of newspaper down, wet them, added the shredded paper and scraps, etc. A week later, I only spotted a couple of worms had migrated, with the pile almost untouched. Should I keep adding the same amount of scraps once weekly, or should I wait until the current pile has enticed plenty more worms from below?
Make sure the bottom of the top try has good contact with the try below. Remember the weather can effect where the worms go. If it's to hot they will stay at the bottom of the try. How long have you had the worm farm.
@@frasercoastfoodforest3092 Thank you. I purchased it in late October. I used the first two trays immediately. I fed them for 12 weeks and then added the third tray nearly two weeks ago. The second feed is due tomorrow.
Thanks for watching and I'm glad it was helpful. Yes I did get a lot of flys and bugs but found if I add some grass clippings or some straw or hay would fix the problem. Thanks again mate.
Hi I noticed you are not using the soaked paper and cardboard or hessian bags do you recommend I don’t use the hessian cloths I did see one of the worms caught in the thin thread it couldn’t move I did get it out Should I just use wet paper sheets on top of the working tray so they can just cheese through the paper intro the next tray Thank you I have subscribed to you to get the required info on worm farming
@@frasercoastfoodforest3092 thank you I’m removing the hessian bags and I will use the straw and sugar cane fibres with the wet paper Also when they mate do they look like they have swollen section on their bodies Do you have a video on the mating and signs of worm farm loss and sick worms Thank you
@@suenew11 the eggs are very very small. You will not notice a change in the worms as far as I know. If the worms are happy you worms will multiply very quickly.
@@frasercoastfoodforest3092 thank you they seem ok I see a few onto top of the bedding and I believe they are mating I did see one with the swelling (that’s what it looks like to me ) when I tried to pick it up it was attached to another worm and gave way And I noticed a few tiny baby worms I will continue to watch you videos for better farming tips thank you
I made a mistake with mine, I put the cardboard and bedding in on my first one tray. And put the worms in that, I have just the one tray. I have a few worms that have fallen through the holes. Should I start the top tray and press on what's there at the minute? I'm 2 to 3 weeks in now the worms are working great.
I did it this way when I bought the Worm Cafe three months ago. Can I harvest the first tray yet or should I add the third tray and wait a few more weeks?
Great video thanks! Just wondering, do the worms drop into the bottom “worm tea” section and if so, is there a way you can recommend to keep them in the layers above? Cheers!
Mate thanks for the great vid! New worm farmer here so enjoyed the tips. There’s a lot of videos saying not to over feed your worms but you look like you have tons in there? Thoughts?
Sometimes I'll put in some brown leaf. Or some hay, but mainly food scraps from the kitchen. I'll spray the worm farm every 2 or 3 days. The plants love it. I highly recommend them.
Hi Gareth, I've operated a Tumbleweed Worm Café for over 2 years. I put a few handfuls of bedding in the bottom for the worms who go down there anyway. Every month or so I scoop up the castings plus worms from the bottom and put them back on the top working tray. I love the system! This is a great video for someone just starting out.
~ Sandra
Thanks Sandra. Something I would put the castings from the bottom into the veggie garden.
Great idea. They are always beautiful finished castings down there, depending on what type of bedding I used.
thank u so much.
I was just given this model worm farm and the surviving worm colony from neglect. This has been the most helpful video I've found, thankyou
Thank you so much. I’m just beginning and this video helped more than you know.
I must set up mine again, I have been using other types of worm farms. Thanks for the reminding me.
Thank you for sharing. I was looking into this for my plants and I was hoping this was worth buying. After watching your video I will be purchasing one ASAP.
thanks mate. and good luck
Hellooooo 👋! Just wanted to say thanks for sharing this! I have raised money with in my school for a wormfarm for cooking class and the canteen and you have really helped me understand how to put it all together! 😊❤
Thanks mate.
Your welcome I didn't expect you to reply so fast! 😅
Subscribed 😊
@@eviewoolford7652 thanks for supporting my channel. I've been way too busy at the moment to make videos but I'll be back soon. thanks again.
Your welcome again! I can't wait to see!
Thank You! The explanation was great. I have watched all the vids and you answered about how much to fill and what to use. Thank You! Thank You!
Not a problem at all. Thanks for watching.
Thank you so much, this was fabulous 🤩 I watched others and they overcomplicated everything.
Legend :)
your compost and worm farm is looking awesome! I have just started the exact worm farm about 6 weeks ago but only one tier. I will do the others after work tomorrow. May buy some more bedding and worms and add more food. Love it! Thanks. I see this was done 3 years ago... are you still doing them?
I love to freeze my waste vegetables , they go very soft and the worms really love that as it’s easier for them to eat it rather than solid pumpkins and things that take a long time to break down as well.
Not bad mate.
Great video, quick question, would a new bedding block have to be purchased every time the casting tray has been emptied, cheers
I've obviously been too gentle with my worm farm. thanks for showing me how its really done
thanks for watching, good luck mate
Thanks mate. That was really helpful. Great video 👍🏻
Not a problem at all. Thanks for supporting me.
Nice easy looking build, no space here in my tiny garden for work farms, I just buy worm castings 😁
It says on the instructions to put the cardboard down first and then the coconut coir. Also not to put too much food and wet them slightly.
Yep you can do that of course with the cardboard. If you have lots of worms like me it doesn't take long for the scraps to be eaten. If you do put to much in I'll put a layer of straw down. That seems to fix it.
Am starting from scratch… this helps a lot !
Thanks
No worries mate
Tumble weed is made by RELN plastic they make everything from compost bins to rainwater tanks and Australian 🇦🇺 made. Located in Ingleburn NSW
Gee, I would have just used the top layer of an existing bin to start the new one and added the coir to the 2nd level.
Easy to do and gets it off to a good start. Also if you're getting any smells in there, try covering the food scraps with bedding.
I normally use shredded paper/card.
I have used cardboard but if I don't have any strew or hay is pretty good, I don't have a problem with the smell but the flys can be a nightmare
Thanks mate, this was really helpful. I've made my own videos myself and wanted to get back into it and would rather not watch myself lol. I had the can o worms but these ones look a little taller. The can o worms I remember I only was able to use a tiny bucket to catch tea, if these are taller I'd rather get this one
Thank you. This was most informative and useful.
Thanks Brenda
That is a nice worm farm kit. Take care.
Thanks mate
The packaging cardboard has a plastic film over it. I found this out today when I did my first harvesting of castings.
G'day matey,,as you know already I DIG WORMS! In my opinion the best organic fertiliser on the planet.
Cheers
Marty
Most definitely. Thanks for watching. I need to catch up with some of your videos. I'm a bit behind.
Plus your in Wauchope. Ya
Thank you so much great video
Wish i saw your video before i set up my tumbleweed worm farm. I have to redo my worm farm now 😂😂😂.
O no, what happened
@@frasercoastfoodforest3092 i put bedding materials, soil, newspaper, worm and food scraps all in 1 compartment and close the lid 😂.
O
Fraser you're amazing. I just got this same one off our council who is encouraging worm farms. I'm a little disappointed that block they provide isn't enough and I only have old chicken manure and not old potting mix. Should I buy another block?
Yes mate . chicken poo may kill the worms
The instructions that come with it are confusing and each video I’ve watched says something different. I’ve only used the one working tray and put the two aside until the tray is full. Is that going to be ok? Then do I start adding food to the second tray and put my worm blanket on top? Thanks
not sure if you are aware that you put the cardboard wrapping and the coir block in as well in the bottom.. with the bedding its quite high and touches the bottom tray when you do it that way...
hi thank you for replying to me in my other comment.... i have filled the first working tray above the worms in one week as I am plant based eater... can i put the other spare tray on and fill that ??? as the box of worms from bunnings they are very young worms... and just wondering if they could get to the top tray as well???
Yes if you have the contents in the tray below touching the tray above so the worms can migrate up. Just remember if you have too much green waste and only a small amount of worms your food scraps will rot and you may get maggots.
Looks like a nice worm bin
Even though you have a lot of worms it looks like you have too much food in the trays. It should be that you have just enough food in the trays to keep the worms going. Too much food will attract flies and bugs, and the mix will start to smell and go rancid.
G'day David. Yes sometimes that happens. I find if I put a layer of straw down on top of the scraps it soon fixes thing up. Never had it smell or go rancid.
I added the third tray 10 days ago. I put two sheets of newspaper down, wet them, added the shredded paper and scraps, etc. A week later, I only spotted a couple of worms had migrated, with the pile almost untouched. Should I keep adding the same amount of scraps once weekly, or should I wait until the current pile has enticed plenty more worms from below?
Make sure the bottom of the top try has good contact with the try below. Remember the weather can effect where the worms go. If it's to hot they will stay at the bottom of the try. How long have you had the worm farm.
@@frasercoastfoodforest3092 Thank you. I purchased it in late October. I used the first two trays immediately. I fed them for 12 weeks and then added the third tray nearly two weeks ago. The second feed is due tomorrow.
Hello! Great video, really helpful 😊 I am wondering if you have ever had trouble with flies or little bugs in your farms? If so is this a problem?
Thanks for watching and I'm glad it was helpful. Yes I did get a lot of flys and bugs but found if I add some grass clippings or some straw or hay would fix the problem. Thanks again mate.
Hi I noticed you are not using the soaked paper and cardboard or hessian bags do you recommend I don’t use the hessian cloths I did see one of the worms caught in the thin thread it couldn’t move I did get it out
Should I just use wet paper sheets on top of the working tray so they can just cheese through the paper intro the next tray
Thank you I have subscribed to you to get the required info on worm farming
Hi Sue. Thanks for watching my video. I just use cardboard. Or sometimes straw/hay
@@frasercoastfoodforest3092 thank you I’m removing the hessian bags and I will use the straw and sugar cane fibres with the wet paper
Also when they mate do they look like they have swollen section on their bodies
Do you have a video on the mating and signs of worm farm loss and sick worms
Thank you
@@suenew11 the eggs are very very small. You will not notice a change in the worms as far as I know. If the worms are happy you worms will multiply very quickly.
@@frasercoastfoodforest3092 thank you they seem ok I see a few onto top of the bedding and I believe they are mating
I did see one with the swelling (that’s what it looks like to me ) when I tried to pick it up it was attached to another worm and gave way
And I noticed a few tiny baby worms
I will continue to watch you videos for better farming tips thank you
I made a mistake with mine, I put the cardboard and bedding in on my first one tray. And put the worms in that, I have just the one tray. I have a few worms that have fallen through the holes. Should I start the top tray and press on what's there at the minute? I'm 2 to 3 weeks in now the worms are working great.
You could empty them in a bucket and the put them in the right tray. Good luck mate. And thanks for watching.
I did it this way when I bought the Worm Cafe three months ago. Can I harvest the first tray yet or should I add the third tray and wait a few more weeks?
gday mate, yes add the 3rd tray. and wait.
@@frasercoastfoodforest3092 Thanks very much. It shall be done.
Do you need to use a worm farm conditioner do you recommend anything else similar.
Never used a conditioner. If thing are rotting you need more worms or less food. Sometimes I scoop the rotting food out and feed it to my bananas.
can these be kept in a sunroom area.. as I have no outdoor area that is shaded?
Not if it gets too hot..
do we have to wait 2 months before putting food scraps in?
If you have worms already or worm eggs you don't. I just got some worm eggs and they already had little worms in the bag.
Great video thanks! Just wondering, do the worms drop into the bottom “worm tea” section and if so, is there a way you can recommend to keep them in the layers above? Cheers!
G'day Lani, you get a few dropping in but not enough to worry about.
I use a strainer to catch the worms that go into the worm tea.
Mate thanks for the great vid! New worm farmer here so enjoyed the tips. There’s a lot of videos saying not to over feed your worms but you look like you have tons in there? Thoughts?
G'day mate, thanks for watching. I had a massive amount of worms in my farms, but I found a layer of hay would keep the flys out.
@@frasercoastfoodforest3092 so you don’t worry about your worms over eating?
@@joshuaward2780 g'day mate, no not at all.
No need to add any brown material? And how often to give them soaking?
Sometimes I'll put in some brown leaf. Or some hay, but mainly food scraps from the kitchen. I'll spray the worm farm every 2 or 3 days. The plants love it. I highly recommend them.
I've just subscribed to your channel. The rose looks amazing. One of my clients has over 100 rose plants that I maintain.
@@frasercoastfoodforest3092 thank you so much.. means a lot to me
You should put 50% of food scraps and 50% of any other organic matter (leaves, grass, etc. from your garden) to balance it and avoid flies.
Hi mate, yes true doesn't always work out that way. I find topping up with sugar cane mulch or hay gets rid of the flies pretty quickly.
0:52 I can smell that from here😂
How long have you had those two other worm farms for?
Hi Eliza, Maybe 4 months from the making of the video
Thanks mate
Thankyou!
Omg thanks!!!