Harvesting worms from a worm farm allows you to collect the beneficial vermicast (worm castings) and also provides a way to separate worms for starting new bins or other uses.
There are several methods for harvesting worms, depending on whether you need just a few worms or a larger quantity, and how much casting separation you require.
Simple Methods for Collecting Worms
Based on common practices, including techniques suitable for obtaining worms and castings for a new bin, you can use straightforward approaches:
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The "Peel and Grab" Method: This is an easy way to collect a few worms along with some finished vermicast for tasks like starting a new worm bin.
- Step 1: Peel off the layer of food from the top of the worm farm.
- Step 2: Grab a handful of worms from underneath the food layer. This handful will naturally include some of the rich castings where the worms are congregated.
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The Mesh Bag Method: This is presented as a more "scientific" approach, designed to encourage worms to gather in a specific area for easier separation, though the exact collection process from the bag isn't detailed in this specific method description.
- Step 1: Stop feeding the main worm farm in its usual spots.
- Step 2: Place soft food scraps, such as banana peels and celery, into a mesh bag.
- Step 3: Place the mesh bag containing the food into the worm farm. Worms will be attracted to the fresh food source within the bag, concentrating their population there over time. (Note: The reference describes how to prepare for this method, assuming the subsequent collection from the bag is then simplified).
These methods provide practical ways to interact with your worm farm for harvesting purposes.
