Make your own wormery

Brandling Worms 280311 08 Q10

Make your own wormery

Creating a wormery

Earthworms provide a vital role in recycling decaying matter and oxygenating the soil. Setting up a wormery is relatively to do and is an excellent way of learning about the cycling of soil.

Worms Notts WT cpt Phil Young

Phil Young

You will need:

  • 2 - 3 earthworms

  • 1 litre clear plastic drinks bottle

  • Garden Soil / compost

  • Light coloured sand

  • Scissors

  • Cling film and an elastic band

  • Water

  • Leaves

  • Paper or card and tape

What to do:

  1. Cut the top off the drinks bottle and remove any labels
  2. Build up layers of different kinds of soil and sand in the bottle
  3. Sprinkle fallen leaves over the top and water until damp
  4. Add your worms
  5. Secure clingfilm over the top of the bottle and pierce with tiny holes
  6. Wrap the bottle in paper to keep it dark (can be removed later to check on them)
  7. Keep in a cool place and top up with water when needed
Wormery diagram

Don't forget to release your worms back into the wild after you've finished!

Slow Worm Wildnet credit Amy Lewis wildlifetrusts_40333466800

Amy Lewis

Are you wild for worms?

Worms make the world turn! Visit the Wild About Gardens website to find out more information on why worms are so great.

Find out more