These are fresh worm castings. Most of the time they are reaching you within a month of harvest, sometimes the very next day. They are not like the kind you buy in a sealed plastic bag, they are living in a breathable compostable container. They are teeming with microbes and beneficial bacteria and are meant to be used immediately so they can interact with your soil with the most impact. They can also be kept alive and active for a longer period of time with air and water (keep them moist, not wet, and make sure there is air flow by fluffing them every so often).

These castings are screened through a 1/8” screen which is somewhat extreme, but helps create a very fine and fluffy casting, and also sifts out non-castings. However, there are cocoons and other small debris that still makes it through. This is okay, and fine, and even beneficial. You may find small pieces of egg shell or a small twig, etc. All good.

They are packaged moist and with some accessible carbon (cardboard, or wood chip, or small pieces of grain), that the microorganisms can use and feed off and maintain vitality. Also, there may be worm cocoons still in the castings which will hatch new worms, and these will need food to live on (also supplied by the grains and carbon). You can leave the worms in your soil, place them outside by a curbside street tree, or start your own worm farm (that’s what I did!)

If making a seed starting mix, feel free to use up to 75% worm castings. It’s a great combo to use soy hulls or rice hulls, a touch of coffee chaff, and/or some organic top soil.

If fertilizing plants, sprinkle around plant and water in. Better yet, gently work the castings just into the top layer of soil. About a 1/4 Cup per 6-8” diameter house plant is great. You should see a difference in color and new growth in as soon as a couple days or within a week. Please adjust as needed.  But the good thing with worm castings is that it’s pretty hard to over do it.

If adding to a garden bed for fertilizer, dress the soil with about a quart per square yard.

If making a new soil mix, use up to 20% castings.

Your worms will be delivered to you fresh, alive, and untraumatized. They do not spend a couple days in the US Postal Service in varying temperatures and conditions. They do not come wrapped in coco coir. They will come in compost and environmental effects inside of a completely compostable burlap bag. you can simply open the bag and place the bag inside their new home when you receive them.

Your bin will be a ready to go pre-made environment with worms. Instructions will be included. It’s mostly recommended to start slow adding your own food scraps to the bin.