What to Feed Worms in Worm Bins

In-bed vermicomposting is my favorite way to create nutrient-rich worm castings, but knowing what to feed your worms is key to keeping them healthy and productive. Red Wiggler worms thrive on a balanced diet of organic waste, but not everything from your kitchen or garden is suitable. This guide will help you understand what Red Wiggler worms can eat, what should be fed in moderation, and what to avoid.

What to Feed Worms Outline:

• What do the worms in your in-bed vermicomposting bins eat?
• Perfect Worm Food
• Feed Worms These in Moderation
• What to Avoid Feeding Worms
• Tips for Feeding Worms
• Composting and Fertilizing Resources on This Website

Check out this helpful video for a visual overview of how to feed worms.

What do the Red Wiggler worms in your in-bed vermicomposting bins eat?

Worms in your vermicomposting bin break down various organic materials, transforming them into nutrient-dense worm castings that benefit your soil. Here’s a breakdown of the best foods for worms, items that should be fed in moderation, and those to avoid.

Perfect In-Bed Vermicomposting Worm Food:

• Fruits and Vegetables: Watermelon, bananas, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, strawberries, apples, beans, pears, carrots, cherries, grapes, peaches, spinach, cucumbers, cabbage, celery, mangoes, tomatoes, and corn.
• Paper Products: Cardboard, shredded paper, and egg cartons.

These items break down easily and provide a balanced diet that worms love. Fruits, vegetables, and cardboard offer essential nutrients, moisture, and bulk that worms need for digestion and healthy composting.

Some of my favorite things to feed my worms include:

• Bird pecked peaches
• Spent roselle tea after steeping
• Spent okra after making okra water
• Sweet potato peelings
• Leftover pulp from making celery juice
• Amazon boxes. This shredder from Amazon will shred cardboard boxes (remove tape and labels first).

What to Feed Worms in Moderation:

• Starchy Foods: Bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, and other starchy foods.

These items can be added occasionally but should be limited. Too much starch can create an unbalanced environment in the bin, leading to odors or slowing down the composting process.

What to Avoid Feeding Worms:

• Citrus fruits: Lemons, oranges, limes, and other citrus can create an overly acidic environment.
• Meat, bones, dairy, and eggs (crushed shells are okay): These items can attract pests and take too long to break down.
• Processed, salty, or greasy foods: They are difficult for worms to digest and can harm the bin’s ecosystem.
• Pet waste: Contains harmful bacteria and pathogens.

Tips for Feeding Red Wiggler Worms in In-Bed Vermicomposting Bins:

To keep your worms happy, follow these best practices:

1. Balance Greens and Browns Each Time You Feed
   For every batch of food you add, aim to add equal amounts of “greens” (moist food scraps) and “browns” (dry carbon-rich materials). This helps maintain the right conditions.
   • Greens: Fruit scraps, vegetable scraps, bread & pasta (small amounts), coffee grounds, and crushed eggshells.
   • Browns: Cardboard, mulch, dry leaves, and shredded paper.
2. Feed Worms Once a Week
   Plan to feed your worms about once per week. Ensure the previous scraps are mostly consumed before adding new food. If you use wood chips to cover your bins, the level will drop, and you’ll know it’s time for more food.
3. Chop or Blend Food Scraps
   Smaller pieces of food break down faster, making it easier for worms to consume.
4. Cover Food Scraps with Browns
   After adding food scraps, cover them with a layer of browns, such as dry leaves, wood chips, or cardboard. This helps prevent odors and keeps fruit flies away.
5. Monitor and Remove Uneaten Food
   Remove any large pieces of uneaten food. Note what your worms are and aren’t eating to adjust future feedings.
6. Maintain Moisture Levels
   The interior of the bin should feel damp but not too wet. If the bin feels dry, lightly spray it with water or a hose to maintain moisture.
7. Cover the Bin Properly After Feeding Worms
   After feeding, cover the bin with a thick layer of wood chips or replace the lid. This helps retain moisture and keeps pests out.

By following these simple guidelines for feeding your worms in your in-bed vermicomposting bins, they will stay healthy and continue producing rich worm castings for your garden.

Composting and Fertilizing Resources on This Website:

• Vermicomposting Made Easy: In-Bed Worm Composting
• Frequently Asked Questions About In-Bed Vermicomposting
• How to Compost: 10 Steps to Make it Simple
• Why Add Worms to Your Garden: The Benefits of Worm Castings
• Worm Casting Tea: How and Why to Make It

Source:

The Squirm Farm: What Can Red Wiggler Worms Eat Infographic

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