Free Worm Food into Rapid Consumable Form

[@A-V]

Grinding it up & then letting it sit for 3 days prior to feeding must make the stuff about as perfect as you can get it - and then combining it with castings to inject it full of microbes and bacteria is genius. You have all but chewed it up for them... all they need to do is slither over there & slurp it all up. You sure spoil your wormies Captain Matt! 👍🏻

[@ruthsolomon-thompson293]

😊

[@garydenner6253]

OUTSTANDING introduction to worm farming , breeding & feeding captain!!! I live off the grid in Australia & permiculture is what I do on my property. But THIS takes my way of thinking to be more sustainable & productive without the added cost! Well done mate & thank you.

[@brookeonyx6271]

This is how I’ve been feeding mine for years. Adding the dryer materials helps keep the moisture balanced and the worms eat up the bedding quicker too! I also do similar for my cocoon bins so I don’t have to feed them for 6-8 weeks after they are set up. If you call the local food bank they may have stuff that’s spoiled it close to it. That’s the stuff they don’t give for eating. I get about the same volume each week from the bank and it’s all perfect and ready for the worms. I make a big batch and freeze jar fulls of what I won’t use right away so it’s ready to feed when the worms are ready to eat!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Thanks for sharing Brooke… yes many side benefits!

[@jimraelee]

Yes great idea. I have tried at my local previously when i had goats and chickens. They don't do that. I love your garbage disposal sink... very cool. Will have to make one.

[@johnduffy6546]

I love your enthusiasm. Worm food puree is the way to go!

[@swampstomper5226]

Thanks Capt. Matt. Good Stuff, as always.

[@robynkaye2375]

Love the tips. Never thought about grinding food up in a garbage disposal. Would've love to see the worms on top a few days later!

[@j.l.callison1837]

You mentioned some of the produce goes to a food pantry. At Northern Illinois Worm Farm, we just go to our local pantry and get what they cannot use. This keeps the produce out of the landfill, and the worms don't care if it is already a bit spoiled. This also helps the pantry save money on disposal costs, so it's a win-win all the way around. Most of ours goes directly into our compost piles for later use. You are right. The worms really love the stuff! We have not been pureeing the veggies like you do. I can see where that would be a great advantage. Thanks for the idea!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

That’s awesome collaboration!

[@SuperTinker41]

Thank you for the TIPS!!!

[@sharonelizabeth4248]

Great information captain Matt. This probably isn’t news to you, but on the off chance it can be helpful to anyone else, here’s something I’ve been doing when feeding my worm’s and I’ve had great results so maybe someone else may as well. I use spent coffee grounds (tea too) from home and a local coffee shop and let them dry out before adding them to the processed veggies. My mixtures don’t tend to be as liquid as yours, but on the off chance I have an excessively water mixture the grounds tends to get the moisture levels back in balance for me. Even the bamboo coffee filters that I use at home are put to use. I let them dry out before putting them through the paper shredder to use in my worm bins as a hedge against the bins getting too moist. Thanks again for all that you and your family do and share with us.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Thanks for sharing, Sharon. Sounds like a solid process!

[@winnipegnick]

You could also buy a used food processor and use it to purée food scraps as well..

[@NedDenver]

Awesome!!! Thanks Capt Matt!

[@jimstaat9813]

Thanks Captain Matt I was wondering how you ground your vegetables. I am just getting into worm farming and I really appreciate you sharing all this information!!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

You’re welcome, Jim!

[@rico99586]

Hi Captain. Thanks for another informative video. I've been sourcing out fruits and veggies from retailers for a few years now, however your processing method is really interesting. I've been freezing the produce and then cutting it up a little at feeding time, but just yesterday realized that I'm out of food space to store it till use. You have to take it when its available, otherwise they send to the landfill. I've more food than worms. However I'm thinking now that if I can liquefy it like you did and then freeze it, possibly adding the compost when I'm ready to use it, I could store a lot more, than freezing it whole, and cut down on chopping it up everytime I need food. Do you think freezing first would also break it down enough to solve the heat problem? Thanks again youngster, I've got several years on you, and admire your work ethic. God bless.

[@cuznclive2236]

Start a compost pile with all the extra food stored in the freezer and use or freeze the new excess. Freezing first will not reduce heat generated by decomposing sources of nitrogen; use browns and tillage. Otherwise, turn your bin if it becomes hot, regardless of what everyone says about maintaining worm bins; if a bin is hot, worms die. Hope this helps.

[@j.l.callison1837]

I've got to agree with cuznclive. Freezing won't do anything for the food heating up. What it will do is cause it to break down a bit more quickly and it will kill off insect eggs, such as fruit flies.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Good advice in the comments so far - likely a space saver - similar to what my grandson Jude does at his house.

[@Cedrz]

dehydrate frozen veggies, then grind into powder

[@cynthiabrickl3331]

New to worm farming. What is the reason for leaving it sit for 3 days?

[@tacosforus1688]

So much worm knowledge. So... Much... POWER!!!!!!!!!!!

[@randygarnett7325]

You may have commented before, but what size are bins you are using in this video? Where did you buy them?

[@steveo_o6707]

Very helpful, thank you

[@ruthsolomon-thompson293]

Hi, Captain Matt, can you tell me where can I purchase the red measuring cups you use?

[@HikingHermit1975]

Great information

[@ancesthntr]

I did not know that you could or should feed peppers to worms. I know the green bell peppers are among the least spicy ones, but I was always under the impression that they were too acidic for the worms.

[@cuznclive2236]

Everything (mostly) in moderation; my RW worms chew through onion ends and husks when I do not process them first. Nonetheless, the slurry used in this video looks to be a balance of acidic and alkaline products. Think of the process as three-stage in this case: 1)browns; 2a) alkaline greens; 2b) acidic greens while maintaining the balance between brown and green. Additionally, check you bin(s) whenever changing the type of feed used because the biology may, or may not, be available to decompose it. The microscopic critters do more than most people recognize. Hope this helps!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

@cuznclive is right on - thanks for sharing!

[@kydragon42]

Captain Matt-I can get 20 gallons of used coffee a day if I want. Should I let it mold or put in the bins directly? I also place it in my outside compost piles!

[@sharonwebster2283]

Captain Matt, I am learning a lot from your videos. Would you please suggest an appropriate PH level for the worm bin? Thanks 😊

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Ideal range is between 6-7… in my experience, red wigglers are much more tolerant than European nightcrawlers of fluctuations

[@CoralMan24]

great video as always

[@garydenner6253]

I juice ALOT of fruit juice, especially oranges. Is the pulp & or skin ok for worms too?

[@angelmadera2263]

Want to thank you for your information and being a great person god bless

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

You're welcome, Angel! Thanks for the encouragement.

[@alderbottomoutdoors9794]

Can you feed lots bread?

[@denniswichter6681]

Captain Matt, thank you for the information. I have ruined a 1hp 3 stage garbage disposal already. What type of disposal are you using? Thank you

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Sorry to hear, Dennis. It’s a 1hp Insinkerator, I believe - but we have been careful not to overwhelm it.

[@frkifrk]

didn’t see you feed them with grass clippings. do you?

[@rondavis2791]

Great idea ive got massive amounts of cardboard to break down and I need a lot of nitrogen to do it thanks.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Cardboard would mix well - and veggies would jumpstart the breakdown.

[@xikano8573]

What's that bugle on the wall for? 🎺

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Answer coming up in a short! Thanks for asking! Subscribe and hit the bell to get notified.

[@wormsforlife7352]

I like this method; my only concern is that the shredder (garbage disposal machine) does not break all the seeds and the seeds that do not get crushed nor degrade fall through the 1/8" screen when collecting the castings. Then again, I think you mentioned you use a smaller screen for sifting castings. If you do, what size is it again? What I have found goes from 1/8" screen then to window screen and window screen is to small for castings but not small enough to catch some varieties of tomatoes seeds. For me and my garden the seeds are not a concern, but if I give away or sell the castings then it is a big concern. My concern stems from the fact that if someone pays $ for castings and they get volunteer tomatoes or peppers from the castings they will not be repeat customers and may even get a not so good impression about worm castings. I really do like that you are keeping the food waste from the landfill, and the waste is benefiting your worms. Enjoy worms and have a great Day!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Good points, worms for life… I use 3/32 for casting sifting - but I’ll have to be more observant about the seeds.

[@samanthanicholson9015]

I heard strawberry and peppers shouldn't be fed to worms, no nightshade, what's your thoughts about that as well as onion or garlic?

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Sweet peppers have never been a problem. I like to try everything to see what ratio works. A lot of what gets repeated online are general rules - but it’s good to find the edges.

[@j.l.callison1837]

Depending on time of year, jalapenos get eaten more readily than sweet peppers. Of course, everything in moderation.

[@nuancematters]

do you still feed wheat grass?

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Mostly in the winter… if other food is not available.

[@antiex44]

do the worms not escape from these open bins ??

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

I keep lights on them to discourage movement.

[@antiex44]

@@CaptainMattsWorms hi captain matts, just last night they escaped from one of my buckets. there is a nichtlight now

[@marilynt1]

Weird thing happening. My name is showing up as person replying when in fact it is not me. I find making the food a liquid like that really reduces the time it takes the worms to work through the food.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Thanks for chiming in, Marilyn. Yes - massively decreases time for worms to eat and allow me to monitor the herd more closely.

[@johac7637]

I assist twice a month at a Food Pantry, on a good Food PO antry day I get a couple of boxes, on a bad day I get a pallet load worth, the bad day is for the long ne up of people, but it's a good day for the worms, I get the odd cardboard bulk tote and use it to layer it with the veggies/fruit and the cardboard boxes, I've got 3 of these bins going, and it's amazing the compost pile I get from this operation after about 6 months, and the gardens sure like it. I'm not into the work of chopping and bins, people come for worms, but they can dig them. They are all over my garden and orchard, give them organics and they will thrive.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

That’s a great give and take, Jo!

[@johac7637]

@@CaptainMattsWorms I just like to keep it simple, and the worms get a feed otherwise it goes in a dumpster and the landfill. Here in Phoenix the 2 worm farms have their own bins and garbage truck and every second day go by their suppliers, markets that supply lots of fresh fruit and veggies. Otherwise it's to the landfill, as a Western Society we can and should do better.

[@rickthelian2215]

Captain Matt, if you just chopped the food up with a knife or by hand it will be gone in a few weeks if not sooner.😊

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

True, Rick. I like to monitor/regulate consumption more closely. Thanks for chiming in!

[@inderjitsandhu4332]

Hello I’m very new and have got fruit flies in my worm bin. I added some fruits and left them on top and a week or so later have fruit flies. I’ve not fed the bin since and added some coir on top and shredded paper along with some Thyme herbs in clumps. I’m worried that if I add purée veg/ compost like in this video the fly population with start to grow again. I’m very confused. Any advice to eradicate them?