2The perfect home
Worms like a comfortable environment that mimics their natural habitat, so setting up your Subpod right is important. Here are some tips and tricks that will get your new army of worms off to a good start.
Assemble your Subpod
Pick your patch
Assemble your Subpod first, to size it up before picking a patch or digging a hole. This video shows assembling the walls, lid, and in the Subpod Classic, the internal divider. Follow it carefully to protect your hinges and ensure proper joins.
Subpods work best in raised beds, but can go in the ground too. Choose a spot that won’t flood or bake in the sun, has at least 40cm soil depth, and ideally is a convenient distance to your kitchen and surrounded by your hungriest plants.
For a shared system to work smoothly, start with one farm per participating unit, remembering to start small at first to gain buy-in. Consider allocating unit numbers to the farms so people know which one to use and ensure you display clear signage of what can and cannot go into the farms.
Ensure worm juice containers are safely stored when full. Aesthetics are important and it’s up to you to set the expectations from the start that the worm farm area is well maintained and attractive for its users.
You can also encourage your fellow residents to set up a worm farm on their balcony, laundry or garage. By co-ordinating these separate installations you will be achieving a similar result and engaging the community just the same. Consider doing both and that might result in the best outcome.
Tips
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Avoid direct sun, especially in summer. Thankfully, Subpods are mostly under ground, so this is less critical than in traditional worm farms
Did you know?
It's OK if you don't have the perfect shelter for your Subpod, you can still:
- Pick the most sheltered spot you can.
- Grow taller plants on the north and west edges of your Subpod to shade it.
- Drape a light-coloured damp towel or similar over the whole subpod on scorching days
- Build a simple shade structure, umbrella or cover to give your Subpod shade in the summer.
Setting up in an Apartment Building?
Get permission
Before setting up any composting system on a balcony or in a common area, check your lease or strata/body corporate rules. Some buildings restrict what can be placed on balconies or in a common garden or shared spaces. If in doubt, ask your building or strata manager. Getting permission first saves awkward conversations later.
Identify
- Where the worm farm(s) will go.
- Who will look after it and take responsibility for maintenance and removal if required.
- What will the worm castings and/or worm wee be used for?
- Offer to take feedback or do a trial to build confidence.
A well-run system that never smells is your best advertisement — once neighbours see it working, enthusiasm often grows.
Choose a suitable location or provide options if possible that are easy to access for all, does not obstruct people or vehicle movements and is out of the way. Be willing to consider different locations and remind people it’s easy to move it if it doesn’t work.
