Worm Composting Learning Center | Big Falls Trading Co

Welcome to the

Worm Composting

Learning Center

Brought to you by Rusty, Daisy & the Soil-Saving Crew at Big Falls Farm

Welcome to your one-stop hub for everything worm composting! Whether you're a backyard beginner or a regenerative soil builder, this Learning Center is where knowledge wriggles to life.

Worm Composting Basics: What Is It and Why It Matters

Sections:

What Is Vermicomposting?
Why Worms?
Fun Fact Box:
“Did you know? A single red wiggler can eat half its weight in organic material every day!”

Starting Your Own Worm Bin

Break this into 4 digestible modules:
Step 1: Choose Your Worms
(Introduce Red Wigglers, with a cameo from Rusty.)
Step 2: Build or Buy Your Worm Bin
Showcase the Biogest Worm Bin or DIY tips with simple diagrams.
Step 3: Feed Them Right
Daisy’s Compost Chart:
Greens (fruit & veggie scraps)
Browns (leaves, paper, cardboard)
What NOT to feed (meat, dairy, citrus)
Step 4: Harvesting VermiHumus
Explain castings, leachate, and their use in gardens.
Include: “Rusty’s Golden Rule: Worm poop = garden gold.”

Ask Rusty!

A mini FAQ section written in Rusty’s voice:
"Why are my worms crawling up the sides?"
"How often do I feed them?"
"What if I go on vacation?"
Use a conversational, cartoon-style tone here.

Free Downloads and Printables

Make these downloadable PDFs/postcards:
Worm Care Instruction Sheet
Kids' Composting Activity Sheet (Coloring pages with Rusty & Daisy)
Worm Bin Checklist
Worm Castings Application Guide

The Science Corner with Maggie the Microbe Nerd

Introduce another character—Maggie, a science-loving worm who explains:
The microbial life in castings
The nitrogen cycle
Soil carbon capture

From Trash to Treasure: Real Stories from Big Falls Farm

A rotating blog or testimonial section:
Before & after garden photos
Composting success stories
School garden projects featuring your products

Shop the Worm Store

Quick links to:
Composting Worms
Biogest Worm Bins
VermiHumus
Starter Kits

The Learning Trail: For Teachers & Educators

Provide:
Simple lesson plans
Classroom bin kits
PDF version of the Rusty & Daisy story (coming soon?)
Contact for school partnerships or workshops

Ask Us a Question

Form or email link. Invite questions for Rusty or Daisy (you can even build an FAQ archive from this).
Would you like me to start building out the full written content for each section (beginning with "Meet Rusty & Daisy" or “Worm Composting Basics”)? I can also help create matching illustrations, downloadables, and layout mockups if you're planning to build it in Wix. Just say the word.

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Worm Composting Basics

What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

Welcome to the underground world of worm composting—where yesterday’s scraps become tomorrow’s soil gold. At Big Falls Trading Company, we believe healthy soil starts with good compost, and good compost starts with the hardest working critters on the farm: worms.

Let’s break it down.

What Is Worm Composting (a.k.a. Vermicomposting)?

Worm composting is the process of turning food scraps and organic waste into nutrient-rich soil using the digestive power of worms—usually a species called Eisenia fetida, better known as red wigglers.

These mighty little workers live in a cozy bin, munching through banana peels, coffee grounds, and paper scraps. What comes out the other end is called vermicast (or worm castings), a powerful, earthy fertilizer that boosts plant growth, improves soil structure, and keeps your garden thriving—naturally.

Why Worms?

Worms are nature’s recycling crew. Here’s why they’re amazing:

Soil Superchargers: Worm castings are rich in beneficial microbes and plant-available nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Food Waste Reducers: Instead of tossing scraps into the trash, feed them to your worms.
Compact and Odor-Free: A well-balanced worm bin smells like a forest floor, not a garbage can.
Fun and Educational: Perfect for families, classrooms, or anyone curious about the magic of life beneath the soil.

What Do You Need to Start?

At its simplest, all you need is:

A bin (store-bought or DIY)
A bedding layer (shredded paper, coconut coir, or leaves)
Red wiggler worms (available in our Worm Store)
A steady supply of food scraps

Add some patience, curiosity, and care—and you’re composting!

Fun Fact from Rusty:

"I can eat my weight in apple peels every day! Imagine if you could eat your weight in snacks and still make healthy soil while you’re at it!” —Rusty the Red Wiggler

Starting Your Own Worm Bin

We’ll keep this beginner-friendly, visual, and upbeat—perfect for visitors browsing your Worm Composting Learning Center.

Starting Your Own Worm Bin

Step-by-Step with Rusty & Daisy

Thinking about diving into worm composting? Don’t worry—it’s easier than you think. With a few simple materials and a little help from your worm wrangling guides, Rusty and Daisy, you’ll be composting like a pro in no time.

Let’s walk through the basics:

Step 1: Choose Your Worms

Not all worms are created equal. The best composting worms are called Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida). These little legends thrive in shallow, moist environments and eat their weight in food scraps every day.

“We’re the top pick for turning scraps into soil!” —Rusty

You can pick up a starter pack of red wigglers right here in our Worm Store, ready to start munching!

Step 2: Set Up Your Bin

You’ll need a cozy home for your worms. There are two great options:

DIY Bin: Use a plastic storage tub with ventilation holes.
Ready-to-Go: Try our stackable Biogest Worm Bin with easy drainage and worm migration built in.

Your bin should be:

Shady and cool (ideally 55–77°F)
Well-ventilated and moist, like a wrung-out sponge
Lined with bedding (see next step)

“We like it dark, damp, and cozy—like the underside of a log!” —Daisy

Step 3: Add Bedding and Feed

Worms need a comfy layer to live in. Think soft and fibrous.

Good Bedding Options:

Shredded newspaper (non-glossy)
Coconut coir
A mix of brown leaves and cardboard

Feeding Time!
Worms eat:

Veggie and fruit scraps (no citrus)
Coffee grounds
Crushed eggshells
Tea leaves
Paper scraps

Avoid:

Meat & dairy
Greasy food
Citrus & spicy scraps
Pet waste or human waste

“A good compost meal is all about balance—greens AND browns.” —Daisy

Step 4: Monitor & Maintain

Feed every few days and cover with fresh bedding.
Keep it moist, but not soggy.
Harvest castings every 1–2 months by moving the worms to one side and scooping the finished compost.

“If it smells bad, something’s off. But if it smells like a forest floor, you’re doing great!” —Rusty

Pro Tips:

Add crushed eggshells every now and then to buffer pH.
Freeze food scraps first to break down fibers faster.
Keep a small kitchen scrap container so you’re always ready to feed.

Rusty’s Golden Rule of Composting:

“Keep it simple, keep it balanced, and your worms will keep on wriggling.”

Feed Them Right

What Worms Eat (and What They Don’t)
Brought to you by Daisy's Compost Chart & Rusty’s Golden Gut Tips

Feeding your worms is a bit like preparing a healthy, balanced meal for picky eaters—who happen to live underground and love leftovers.

The key is balance between “green” (wet, nitrogen-rich) and “brown” (dry, carbon-rich) materials.

🍏 Worm-Friendly Foods (Greens)

These are moist, nutrient-rich scraps that worms love:

Fruit and veggie peels (banana, apple cores, lettuce)
Coffee grounds (with filter)
Tea bags (unbleached, no staples)
Crushed eggshells (for grit and pH balance)
Old bread or grains (small amounts only)

“The riper, the better!” – Rusty

🍂 Browns to Balance the Bin

These materials help absorb moisture and reduce odors:

Shredded newspaper (black and white print only)
Cardboard (non-glossy)
Dry leaves
Straw
Paper towels and napkins (unbleached)

“Every meal needs a napkin, right?” – Daisy

🚫 Do Not Feed Your Worms

Some things are better left out of the bin—for the health of your worms and your nose:

Meat, bones, fish
Dairy products
Greasy or oily foods
Citrus (too acidic)
Spicy foods (onions, garlic, hot peppers)
Pet or human waste
Plastic, foil, rubber bands, twist ties

“If it smells like a trash can, we ain’t interested.” – Rusty

🥕 Feeding Tips for a Healthy Bin

Chop scraps into small pieces to speed up decomposition.
Freeze food first to kill fruit fly eggs and soften it.
Feed 2–3 times per week in small amounts.
Bury food under a layer of bedding to keep fruit flies away.
Rotate feeding spots to avoid soggy patches.

🌿 Rusty’s Pro Tip:

“If your bin starts to smell funky, it’s either too wet, too full, or out of balance. Add more browns and stop feeding for a few days—your bin will bounce back.”

Harvesting and Using Worm Castings

Your Garden’s Secret Weapon, Straight from the Bin

After a few months of wormy teamwork, you’ll notice something amazing happening in your bin: dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling compost called worm castings (also known as vermicast or VermiHumus). This is the nutrient-packed payoff your plants have been waiting for!

Let’s walk through how to harvest it—and how to use it like a pro.

🥾 How to Harvest Worm Castings

There are a few simple methods you can try:

🌞 The Light Method

Worms hate light. Scoop out a pile of castings on a tarp or tray in bright light. The worms will dive downward. Scoop off the top layer and repeat until you're left with just worms at the bottom—then return them to the bin.

📦 Side-to-Side Migration

Push all compost to one side of the bin. Add fresh bedding and food to the empty side. Over 1–2 weeks, the worms will migrate to the food side. Scoop out finished castings from the other side.

🔁 Tiered Bin Method (like the Biogest Worm Bin)

Top trays are for feeding, lower trays fill with castings as worms migrate upward. When a bottom tray is full, harvest it and rotate the stack!

“We always crawl toward the food. Smart, huh?” —Rusty

🪴 How to Use Worm Castings in Your Garden

Your plants will thank you. Here’s how to get the most out of that black gold:

In Garden Beds: Mix into the top few inches of soil when planting.
For Potted Plants: Add a handful when repotting or top-dress every few weeks.
In Seed Starting Mixes: Add a spoonful per cell for strong, healthy seedlings.
As a Compost Tea: Steep a few handfuls in a bucket of water for 24 hours, stir well, and water your plants with it.
Transplant Help: Add a scoop into the hole before planting—this reduces transplant shock.

🌿 Daisy’s Secret:

“It’s not just compost—it’s living compost. Worm castings are full of beneficial microbes that feed your soil and protect your plants naturally.”

Ask Rusty!

Frequently Asked Questions from the Bin

Got questions? Rusty’s got answers. Whether you’re wondering why your worms are climbing the walls or how much to feed them, you’re in the right place. Let’s wriggle into the most common worm composting questions.

🪱 Q: Why are my worms crawling up the sides of the bin?

A: That’s usually their way of saying something's off. It could be too wet, too acidic (did you feed them citrus?), or there’s not enough air. Add dry bedding like shredded paper, stop feeding for a couple days, and check for proper airflow.

"We love a moist home, not a swampy one." – Rusty

🧅 Q: Can I feed them onions or garlic?

A: Best to skip it. Those are spicy and strong-smelling. Worms are sensitive little souls—they prefer bland, plant-based leftovers. Stick to fruit and veggie scraps without the drama.

💩 Q: Is worm compost the same as regular compost?

A: Nope! Worm castings are more concentrated in nutrients and beneficial microbes. They’re like the espresso of compost—rich, powerful, and a little goes a long way.

🥬 Q: How much and how often do I feed them?

A: A small handful every few days works great—especially if you're just starting out. Let them finish most of the last meal before giving more. Overfeeding is a common mistake that leads to bad smells.

“We don’t like leftovers sitting around too long either.” – Rusty

🐛 Q: What if I see other bugs in the bin?

A: That’s totally normal! You might see springtails, mites, or even pill bugs—they’re all part of the composting crew. If flies become a problem, bury food deeper and cover with bedding.

🌡️ Q: How hot or cold can it get for my worms?

A: Ideal temps are 55–77°F (13–25°C). If it gets too hot (above 85°F), they can die. In cold weather, they slow down but will survive if the bin doesn’t freeze.

“We’re composting machines… until it turns into a sauna or a snowstorm.” – Rusty

🚫 Q: What’s the biggest mistake new composters make?

A: Easy—overfeeding. People think more food = faster compost. But worms eat slowly, and excess food turns into a soggy, smelly mess. Less is more!

Let’s get nerdy with Maggie the Microbe Nerd—our soil science superstar!

🧪 Science Corner with Maggie the Microbe Nerd

The Secret Life of Worm Castings

Hi friends! I’m Maggie, your resident microbe enthusiast. You’ve met Rusty and Daisy, but now it’s time to zoom in and explore what’s really happening in a worm bin—on the microscopic level.

Let’s go beneath the surface and discover the living magic inside every handful of VermiHumus.

🔬 What’s Inside Worm Castings?

Worm castings are alive. Each grain of finished compost is teeming with:

Beneficial bacteria & fungi
Protozoa and nematodes (tiny soil helpers)
Enzymes and growth hormones
Slow-release nutrients like N, P, K
Humic acids (great for water retention and nutrient uptake)

“It’s like a microscopic city bustling with life and purpose!” – Maggie

🌱 Why Microbes Matter

Microbes in worm castings do more than just hang out—they build ecosystems around your plants:

Break down organic matter into plant-available nutrients
Improve soil texture and aeration
Protect plant roots from harmful pathogens
Help plants take up more nutrients
Increase drought resistance by improving soil structure

“Healthy soil isn’t just dirt—it’s a whole living world.” – Maggie

💡 Worm Castings vs. Synthetic Fertilizer

Worm CastingsSynthetic Fertilizer

Slow-release nutrientsFast but fleeting boost

Improves soil lifeOften harms soil biology

Increases water retentionCan cause runoff

Safe and naturalRisk of overuse or burn

“Think of castings as a slow-cooked stew. Fertilizers are like fast food.” – Maggie

🧪 Try This At Home!

Maggie’s Microbe Brew – Compost Tea Recipe

Add 2 cups of worm castings to a mesh bag or old sock.
Place in a 5-gallon bucket of non-chlorinated water.
Add 1 tablespoon of unsulfured molasses (food for microbes).
Aerate with a small aquarium pump for 24 hours.
Water your garden or use as a foliar spray!

“It’s a soil smoothie your plants will love!”

Would you like this turned into a chalkboard-style infographic featuring Maggie in a lab coat or goggles? Or ready to roll forward into the next section—From Trash to Treasure: Real Stories from Big Falls Farm?

📥 Downloads & Printables

Helpful Resources to Keep or Share

Here at Big Falls Farm & Trading Company, we want your worm composting journey to be fun, easy, and shareable. That’s why we’ve created a collection of downloadable guides, posters, and activity sheets for gardeners, families, teachers, and soil lovers of all kinds.

All resources are print-ready and Rusty-approved. 🪱

🖼️ Printables for Home & Garden

Worm Care Instruction Sheet
A clear, step-by-step care guide for your composting worms—great for taping inside your bin lid!
Worm Composting 101 Poster
What is worm composting and why it matters—featuring Rusty in his cowboy hat.
What Can I Feed My Worms?
A colorful fridge-ready chart with greens, browns, and no-no’s—featuring Daisy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Worm Bin
A friendly walkthrough with visuals to help set up your first worm bin with confidence.
Harvesting & Using Worm Castings
Tips on how to collect your castings and apply them like a pro.
Ask Rusty: FAQ Poster
Your top wormy questions answered in Rusty’s own words.

🧪 Science & Classroom Tools

Maggie’s Microbe Chalkboard Poster
Great for middle school to adult learners. Understand the micro-life in castings and how to brew compost tea.
Compost Tea Recipe Card
Print this little gem and keep it by your garden hose or soil station.
Activity Sheet: “Worm Anatomy & Life Cycle” (coming soon!)
Label the parts of a worm, learn its role in the soil web.
Coloring Page: Rusty, Daisy & Friends
Perfect for classrooms or rainy-day garden club time.

📚 Coming Soon:

“The Soil is Alive” Mini-Zine
“Wiggle and Grow!” Children’s storybook PDF
VermiHumus Application Log for Farmers and Growers

🎒 Educator Resources & Classroom Worm Bins

For Teachers, Homeschoolers, and Youth Garden Programs

At Big Falls Trading Company, we believe every child should learn that soil is alive—and that worms are wriggling heroes of the earth. Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, running a homeschool co-op, or organizing a garden club, we’ve created tools and kits to bring worm composting to life for young learners.

🧑‍🏫 Classroom Worm Bin Kit

A complete setup designed just for educational environments. It includes:

Compact worm bin (clear-lid version available)
250–500 red wiggler worms
Bedding starter materials (coir, paper)
Feeding & care instructions
Printable feeding chart
Compost logbook pages
Kid-friendly FAQ sheets
“Meet Rusty & Daisy” story poster
Access to our downloadable resource pack

“Teachers say it’s the quietest (and wriggliest) class pet they’ve ever had!”

📘 Educator's Guide: "Worm School"

A printable or digital guide that includes:

Lesson plans for grades 2–8
NGSS-aligned science and ecology content
Soil biology worksheets
Observation journal templates
Vocabulary cards
Suggested activities:
- Worm races
- Food scrap sorting game
- Castings vs. soil texture test

🧑‍🌾 Worm Ambassadors Program (Coming Soon!)

Classroom certificates
Badges and stickers
Monthly “Ask Rusty” Q&A sheet
Feature your class on our website!

📦 How to Order a Classroom Kit

Educators can place an order directly through the Worm Composting Learning Center Shop, or contact us for volume discounts and custom school bundles. Local pickup and delivery available in Southern California.