The Best Bedding for Worms: A Cozy Guide from the Worm’s Perspective

Hello, dear humans! My name is Wally the Worm, and I’m here to let you in on a little secret—worms have very particular tastes when it comes to bedding. You wouldn’t sleep on a bed of rocks (unless you’re some kind of yoga master), so why would you expect us to be happy in just any old dirt? If you want us to turn your food scraps into nutrient-rich "black gold," you better set us up in a five-star worm hotel.

So, let’s talk bedding—what it is, why it matters, and how to make it just right for your squiggly little composting buddies.

What Makes Good Worm Bedding?

Think of worm bedding like a comfy mattress—it should be soft, breathable, and hold just the right amount of moisture. If it’s too dry, we’re gasping for hydration. If it’s too wet, we’re basically drowning in a soggy mess. And if it’s too dense, well… let’s just say we like to move it, move it.

The best worm bedding materials are absorbent, break down easily, and don’t turn into a compacted mess. Here are some top choices:

1. Coconut Coir – The Fancy Memory Foam of Worm Beds

Coconut coir (aka the shredded husk of a coconut) is like the Tempur-Pedic of worm bedding. It’s fluffy, moisture-retaining, and lightweight, allowing for easy movement and airflow. Plus, it doesn’t break down too fast, so your bedding stays fresh longer. Just be sure to rinse it before use—sometimes it can be a little salty, and while I enjoy a good sea breeze, I don’t want my bedding to taste like the ocean.

2. Shredded Paper & Cardboard – The Budget-Friendly Option

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to recycle, paper and cardboard are excellent choices. Newspaper, office paper, and non-glossy cardboard can be shredded into strips and used as bedding. Just make sure to avoid anything coated in plastic or colored ink—us worms prefer to keep things au naturel.

Pro tip: Tear or shred the paper into small pieces and soak it before adding it to the bin. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a wormy version of a crumpled college essay.

3. Aged Compost – The Homey, Earthy Option

Aged compost is like a pre-fluffed feather bed for worms. It’s already packed with beneficial microbes that help us digest food, and it has a familiar, earthy scent that makes us feel right at home. Just make sure it’s well-aged—fresh, hot compost can cook us alive! We like warmth, but we’re not trying to star in a worm version of a barbecue.

4. Peat Moss – The High-Maintenance Bedding

Peat moss holds moisture well and creates a fluffy home, but it can be a bit acidic, which makes us a little grumpy. If you use it, balance it out with other materials like shredded paper or coconut coir. Think of it as adding a memory foam topper to an otherwise too-firm mattress.

5. Leaves & Straw – The Rustic Retreat

A mix of dried leaves and straw can create a nice, airy bedding environment. It’s natural, full of microbes, and worms love wiggling through it. However, it can break down quickly and may introduce unwanted pests. If you go this route, be sure to mix it with other materials to maintain the right balance.

Moisture Level: Not Too Wet, Not Too Dry

Now, about the moisture level—if our bedding is too dry, we’ll dry out like sad, shriveled spaghetti. Too wet, and we’re swimming instead of composting. Aim for the consistency of a wrung-out sponge. That means when you squeeze a handful, it should be damp but not dripping.

If you find things getting too dry, a light misting of water will do the trick. If it’s too wet, add some dry bedding materials like shredded paper to soak up the excess. We’re composting, not competing in a worm swim meet!

Temperature: The Goldilocks Zone

Like any good houseguests, we have our temperature preferences. The ideal range for us is 55–77°F (13–25°C). Too cold, and we slow down like a teenager waking up for school. Too hot, and, well… we don’t want to talk about that. Keep our bin out of direct sunlight and extreme cold. If it’s too hot, move it to a shaded area or indoors. Too cold? A little insulation (like a cozy blanket of dry leaves) helps keep us comfy.

Aeration: Give Us Some Breathing Room

Worms need oxygen just like you do, so our bedding should be loose and airy. Fluff it up occasionally to keep it from compacting into a dense, suffocating mess. If we feel like we’re in a collapsing tunnel, we’re not going to be very productive composters.

Avoid These Bedding No-Nos

There are some things you should never use for worm bedding. Here’s the ultimate "No Thanks" list:

• Glossy magazines or plastic-coated paper – That stuff doesn’t break down, and we’re not big fans of junk mail.

• Fresh grass clippings – They can heat up and create a worm-sauna. No bueno.

• Oily or greasy paper – Worms don’t do well with butter-soaked napkins. We’re not deep-frying anything down here.

• Too much acidic material (pine needles, citrus peels) – A little acidity is fine, but too much will give us the equivalent of heartburn.

The Final Touch: Keeping Us Happy

If you follow these tips, your worms will be happy, wiggly, and hard at work turning your food scraps into rich compost for your garden. Keep our bedding fresh, maintain the right moisture level, and make sure we have plenty of airflow. In return, we’ll give you the best natural fertilizer on the planet.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some decomposing to do. Keep our bedding comfy, and we’ll keep your garden thriving!

Happy composting!

• Wally the Worm