I have had a number of requests for information on what I feed my red worms to make them big and fat. In short it is an ancient worm feed secret 
Actually in this article I will give you a great grain recipe which also helps to maintain an almost perfect , constant PH level for your worms whether Red Wigglers, African Nightcrawlers, Europeans… as well as an additional red worm food formula!
Now there are more extravagant formulas, one which will be available online in the near future, however if you are anxious to try something the following will prove beneficial.
First, I feed my worms what my mother fed me that she claims made me so tall, greens! I do mix them up and limit starches such as bread and potatoes. I also refrain from using tomatoes and other high acidic fruits and vegetables.
I realize other sites will tell you that worms love coffee grinds, and they do, however if you add too much your bin will end up becoming acidic. Just as most of us were told growing up, anything is good in moderation.
For my trophy worms I use for fishing, I actually use a blender to liquefy the ingredients. Afterwards I mix in a little spent coffee grinds as well as peat moss to thicken the mixture. Now don’t go making it like a thick mud but rather just enough to keep the liquid from running off or ponding in your mix. Remember to allow it to sit in your garage or outside covered up for about 24 hours as the peat moss will continue to draw up the moisture.
Now one thing I do for the trophy worms is to freeze my mix as this modifies the molecular structure enabling the mix to break down even faster for quick consumption by the worms when I do feed them. Just be sure to thaw it out and warm up to room temperature before adding to your bin.
The Simplest Advanced Grain Formula Mix You Can Make:
As with any grain mix, sprinkle on top and even mist with some water. I personally leave my fishing worm bins uncovered; hence I place some moist shredded newspaper over my grain. Be consistent on feeding the grain as needed whether once a day or once every couple days.
The recipe:
2 Cups Oatmeal
1 Cup Cornmeal
1 Dozen Egg Shells
Many websites state you need to cook your eggs with the shells in order to use in your worm bin. I have never had an issue by rinsing cracked egg shells than have not been cooked with warm water thoroughly. Allow them to dry out well.
Add the egg shells to you blender and pulverize them to a powdery mix. Slowly add your other ingredients. You may need to shake the blender or rattle it back and forth as this is a dry mixture in order to continue mixing and breaking down to a powdery mix.
There are other formulas which will enable faster growth, without hormone shots which I will introduce in a couple weeks.
For now enjoy the site and sign up for the free worm composting newsletter if you have not already done so as well as the Organic Worm Farm Affiliate Program!
Bruce
Excellent Information! I’ve been messing around with all kinds of worm food. The web has many wrong! ideas on to what to feed. Bruce got it right. I’m mixing the fixings as I write.
P.S. Someone, somehow. somewhere, told me ‘maters’ are good worm food. I just removed all the tomatoes I had placed in my worm bins.
Blake,
Thanks for your comment
Yes the Internet is full of inaccurate information. Once a person states something others will copy and repeat it, hence making it appear to be the absolute truth.
The problem arises when many owners of websites offering red worms for sale use a worm broker and do not even raise worms themselves. Hence they have no clue except to repeat what others have stated.
As for tomatoes, they are acidic and will also turn your bin acidic if you add a bunch. Just a little tomato scrap should not harm your worm bin especially if pulverizing the eggshells and mixing with the daily or every couple day dose of grain.
Once I had added eggshells to my grain mix, I have not had a PH problem after a little time went by.
In reality I used the grain mix listed above with great results when I got started but had to move onto an industrial type grain that I purchase in 50 pound bags. Once the new packaging bags arrive we will be selling in smaller quantities (1 lb. & 5 lb’s) from the Organic Worm Farm Online Store!
I still add pulverized eggshells to it though
Glad you found the information useful.
Bruce Galle
BRUCE, YOUR SITE IS INTERESTING. I RECENTLY STARTED FRESHWATER FISHING AGAIN, AFTER AN 8 YEAR LAYOFF.I’M NOT INTERESTED IN SELLING WORMS, BUT ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE A WORM BED FOR MYSELF. BAIT STORES AROUND HERE ARE FAR AND FEW AND EXPESIVE, I THINK. I FISH BY MYSELF AND GO QUITE OFTEN. I’M IN NEW JERSEY, 07670 (ZIP CODE). MOSTLY BASS,CATFISH,TROUT,SALMON,PERCH,SUNNYS,CARP, ETC……. CATCH AND RELEASE. I DON’T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE EXPENSE OF DOING A WORM BED AND IT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SO, I’M GOING TO BE A CHALLENGING STUDENT AND ONE OF YOUR BEST. WHAT IS A WORM CASTING? THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP, PETE.
Pete,
Hello and welcome. I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. Been a “good” long week!
First off, check out The Worm Expert discussion forum as I try to update this quicker, hence I can answer more of your questions faster over there
As for worm castings, they are worm droppings or more bluntly, worm poop. They do not have any odor other than the small of fresh virgin soil.
Worm castings are also full of beneficial microbes which assist plants in growth and disease immunity. The pH is balanced right between 6 & 7 on the pH scale.
Pete, if you ever tried Miracle Grow, believe me when I tell you this actually blows it away. This comes from someone that swore by Miracle Grow for years and probably used to be their best spokes person
Worm castings can be applied directly to the soil as well as brewed into what is called “worm tea” which can be sprayed directly onto the plants.
Hope this helps!
Bruce Galle
Newbie : I’ve got a couple boxes going. A small bait box with a couple dozen euro, worms. The question was “what to feed them ?” . I slept on it & came up with this ( I need ounces, not pounds ) : I powdered up some bird seed and corn meal & dried egg shell in a coffee mill ! The “blender” kind of mill. The worms seem to go for it. We will see. ; J.B.
Me Too ! Exactly what “Peter” said … FISHIN’ WORMS ! Great information Bruce. The “web” is also confusing because they often don’t identify the type of worm to which the information applies. I got it all here in 5 minutes. Soak the pete for 2 days : Temp. PH & moisture content ( I bought a meter ). I’m off the races ! The worm races… that is. Thanks . J.B.
Thanks Bruce!
I will use this recipe when i get some worms.