Underground Worm Farm?

I saw an outdoor worm farm on an episode of "Gardening by the Yard" on HGTV. The woman dug a rectangular hole about 12 inches deep and then put in bedding and red wigglers, then she covered them. She had plastic material on the sides to keep the worms in and other creatures out. However, I have read that redworms won't survive winter outdoors in the garden. I have an indoor worm farm and would like to try the outdoor method, but I don't want to kill my worms. Would they freeze in the winter? I live in Zone 4.

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Permalink Reply by Gillian on July 7, 2009 at 4:50pm: Hi Lisa,
If you look further down in discussions you will see one labelled worm farm in a pipe - this has a lot of links and details on underground worm farms - check them out. Hope that is helpful; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by de Moffarts Eugène on July 8, 2009 at 2:29am: I have an outdoor worm farm in a big tin normaly used for rainwater of 130 gallon with a tap.The tap is permanently open. So the worms can't die because of to mutch moisture.
First layer: 4 inch gravel or a porous stuff for drainage
Second layer: 8 inch of rich topsoil
third layer: all the organic material that can feed the worms : manure of all the animals ,soaking papers and cardboard, kitchen waste, weeds ... No urine :it's a poison for the worms.Also some people said that the worms dont' like onions.
Im winter the big volume protect the worms against frost.If it's verry cold for a long time you have to protect the tin with an isolating stuff. So in winter the worms will only stop there activity. In spring time they will start again with the rising temperature and new little worms will born from the worm eggs.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joel LeGrand on September 22, 2009 at 6:33pm: de Moffarts Eugene, could I plant the tin in the ground like a poted plant. Of course I would have to dig the side the tap is on a little deeper and fill with porous stuff for an underground drain. I would place a board above the tap to keep soil above the drain of porous stuff(pea stone). This would keep the worms at 40-55 degrees in most zone.
I could mulch the tin with loose straw, like we do strawberries. Did I miss something?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by de Moffarts Eugène on July 8, 2009 at 2:52am: I lead the tin on the surface and lead the lid of the tin permanently. you have only to isolate the tin in winter...In a hole the worms can die of to mutch moisture.
You also give them eggshell, verry good...
Mutch succes with your worms!; ▶ Reply to This

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