Summer Worm Care in New Zealand: Keep Your Composting Worms Thriving
Summer in New Zealand brings long, sun-filled days and warmer nights—perfect for gardens, but also a challenging time for your composting worms. As temperatures rise, your worms will need a little extra care to stay happy and productive. Here’s how to make sure your worm farm stays cool, healthy, and working hard through the summer months.
Check Moisture Levels Regularly
Worms breathe through their skin and need a moist environment to survive. In Kiwi summers, bedding can dry out quickly.
Gently lift a corner of the bedding every few days—aim for the feel of a wrung-out sponge.
Add water if needed but avoid soaking the bedding, as too much moisture can cause bad smells.
Cover the surface with a damp, thick layer of newspaper, old hessian sacks, or a piece of cardboard to slow evaporation.
Keep It Cool
High temperatures can stress or even kill composting worms. In most parts of New Zealand, aim to keep the worm farm between 15°C and 25°C.
Place your worm farm in a shaded spot, away from direct afternoon sun—under a tree, beside a shed, or on the cool south side of your house.
On scorching days, drape wet towels or a piece of hessian over the lid for extra insulation.
If your worm bin is portable, move it indoors (garage, shed, or laundry) during heatwaves.
Feed Little and Often
Food scraps break down faster in warm weather, but if you overload the bin, it can heat up and create sour smells.
Feed worms small amounts more frequently, only adding new scraps once the last batch starts disappearing.
Chop or blend food scraps for faster breakdown and less heat build-up.
Avoid citrus, onions, and spicy scraps—they’re tough on worms, especially in hot weather.
Watch for Pests
Summertime can attract ants, flies, and mites.
Keep the bedding moist to deter ants.
Bury food scraps under a layer of bedding or castings to prevent flies.
If you notice mites, stir the bedding gently and avoid overfeeding.
Harvest Castings and Keep the Cycle Going
Worm castings make an excellent summer soil booster for your veggie beds and lawns.
Scoop out mature castings and top up the bedding with fresh, moist bedding material—coconut coir, shredded paper, or aged compost work well.
Closing Tips for Kiwi Gardeners
In regions prone to drought or water bans, remember worms recycle kitchen waste into living fertiliser—saving both water and resources.
Keep an eye on the weather and enjoy checking in on your worm farm with the kids—summer worm care is a great family learning activity.
A happy worm farm is the beating heart of a healthy, regenerative garden. With a little extra attention during summer, your composting worms will reward you with rich, living soil for every season to come.
Ready to boost your garden’s health this summer?
Get your composting worms, premium natural plant food, and everything you need for sustainable gardening right here at Uncle Bob’s Regenerative Garden. Visit our shop or reach out with your questions—we’re here to help you grow greener!
