By the end of this lesson: you will be able to build bedding from materials you can source consistently.

These are starting recipes, not sacred formulas. Adjust them based on the moisture and structure you observe.

Recipe A – General-Purpose Tray Bedding:

Three loose handfuls of shredded corrugated cardboard, one handful of damp coir or leaf mould and a small handful of mature vermicompost or healthy established bedding. Mix until springy and evenly damp.

Recipe B – Low-Cost Cardboard Bedding:

Shredded corrugated cardboard mixed with torn egg boxes (We don’t use these personally but they are ok), dampened gradually and inoculated with a handful of mature castings. This works well, but it benefits from being prepared a few days before adding worms.

Recipe C – Breeder Bedding:

Mostly fine shredded cardboard with a smaller amount of mature castings or leaf mould. Keep it loose, shallow and easy to sort. Avoid filling a breeder bin with food-rich compost where adults and cocoons become difficult to separate.

Top Tip – If you are doing this for you then recipe any is fine.  If you are doing it commercially then recipe C is often the one to go with.  It’s so low cost that protects your profit margin.  It can be manual work to produce though.

Top Tip 2 – Do not compact it, bedding should settle naturally. Pressing it down to “fit more in” removes the air spaces you are trying to create.