Grass in Worm Bins - Ask Extension
Can lawn grass be used as bedding or food for,the worms in the bins? For example, can it be used as a cover when adding new vegetables to the bins?
Knowledgebase
Grass in Worm Bins #869286
Asked May 20, 2024, 2:29 PM EDT
Can lawn grass be used as bedding or food for,the worms in the bins? For example, can it be used as a cover when adding new vegetables to the bins?
Deschutes County Oregon
Expert Response
Gary Sedivy:
Certainly fresh grass clippings can be used to cover fresh food additions, as you suggest. In moderate amounts, it would be an excellent addition to the diet of red wigglers.
As for using it as the ONLY bedding material, I'd say no.
I have used shredded newspaper and office paper as worm bedding for many years. Dried deciduous leaves or straw are another good bedding material. Any bedding should be moistened before use. Allow water to drain away before introducing the worms.
Certainly fresh grass clippings can be used to cover fresh food additions, as you suggest. In moderate amounts, it would be an excellent addition to the diet of red wigglers.
As for using it as the ONLY bedding material, I'd say no.
- First, fresh grass clippings could easily raise the temperature of the bin above the level ideal for worms.
- Second, grass clippings are about 85% water. Absorbency is a characteristic of good worm bedding materials, as food waste itself is high in water content.
I have used shredded newspaper and office paper as worm bedding for many years. Dried deciduous leaves or straw are another good bedding material. Any bedding should be moistened before use. Allow water to drain away before introducing the worms.
