How to Raise Earthworms in Missouri

Construct 12-inch-high sides of a square or rectangular box with untreated 1-by-12 lumber. Leave the bottom of this box open; total containment is unnecessary, as any earthworms which burrow into the ground below the box won't stray far from the food you'll be laying out for them.

Place the bottomless wooden box on level ground and in the shade. This will be your earthworm bed.

Fill the earthworm bed halfway with peat moss and water it thoroughly with a garden hose. Don't flood the peat moss by over-watering it. Add extra layers of peat moss on top of the old one periodically as the level goes down over time.

Purchase starter earthworms, such as red worms, from your local fresh water bait and tackle shop. The number of earthworms you purchase should be proportionate to the size of your bed. A good general rule of thumb is to place anywhere from 25 to 30 earthworms per square foot in your bed (e.g. a 50-square-foot bed would most comfortably house and maintain 1,250 to 1,500 earthworms) Dump the earthworms on top of the wet moss, where they will burrow in.

Water your new earthworms daily using a sprinkler system, keeping the bed consistently moist but not over-saturated.

Feed the earthworms by sprinkling their food on top of the bed. Kitchen scraps such as oatmeal, coffee grounds, egg shells, produce, lawn trimmings and sawdust. Specially formulated, powdered earthworm feed is available at most garden supply stores.