Where to buy red worms in Tennessee
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If you live in Tennessee and want to start worm farming, this article is for you. Of course, you could always purchase worms from our friends over at Meme’s Worms (clicking this link helps support the website, thanks in advance!). You could also look in your backyard for worms to get you started.
Tennessee has a few different locations in the state that sell composting worms. Today I will share how you can get started for free or support some local worm-loving businesses.
Let’s jump in.
Where To Buy Worms In Tennessee
Dig In The Dirt
First, let’s talk about one of the easiest and most accessible ways to start worm composting – digging in your backyard. Finding worms in your backyard is a way that many people get started. This activity is enjoyable for kids as you play in the dirt.
This is one of my favorite methods because
- It’s free
- You use native worms (releasable back in nature)
- Harms fewer worms in the process
- Includes beneficial bacteria to help your worms get established
You will also likely grab some dirt and the worms as you dig. The soil can help establish some beneficial bacteria and insects in your bin. This will help your bin’s ecosystem and help items decompose faster.
One of the downsides to this method is finding enough worms. Many people start their bins with 250+ worms. Under the right conditions, worms produce cocoons every 90 days, often containing three. If you start with just 25 worms, reaching approximately the same number of worms could take 180 days (roughly half a year).
If you are okay with a slow start to your worm composting, this is a great and fun way to get started.
Contact Fishing And Tackle Stores
A place that many people forget to check is the local fishing and bait stores. If you’re looking to buy worms in Tennessee, you will likely find a fishing supply store nearby.
This is often the best place to buy worms in small towns and rural areas.
Here are some tips that I’ve heard from people who have used this method.
Call ahead and ask what kind of worms they carry. I’ve heard many stories where the answer was “worms” or “fishing worms.” Other times they will be precise about the worms and the cost for each. Worms for composting go by a lot of different names. Their scientific name is Eisenia fetida, but people call them red worms, tiger worms, red wigglers, and manure worms.
Some people have found even after calling ahead and confirming the type of worms they are looking for still get the wrong worms. Often, they open the container to find darker and more giant worms. Often they are earthworms or nightcrawlers. Thankfully, no matter what worms you receive, they will help you reduce food waste and compost. The only difference is how fast your worms can convert the scraps into vermicompost.
Check Farm And Garden Supply Businesses
An often underutilized resource is farm and garden supply centers. There are a lot of farm and garden stores that sell worms in Tennessee.
They may not advertise that they sell compost worms, as there isn’t a huge market. However, as more and more people become concerned about the environment- they are looking for safe, natural fertilizers. Sometimes this suggestion works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Thankfully, more and more garden stores are selling compost worms to improve garden soil. If you found success in this method, please share the store you purchased your worm in the form below.
Local Online Sellers
Social Media Marketplaces
A great place to check is on social media marketplaces if you can’t dig in your backyard or don’t want to. Facebook has hundreds of groups about vermicomposting. They also have many yard sales, garage sales, freecycle, and trade-only pages.
A local trade-only Facebook helped give me my start. I offered a bag of coffee for compost worms. A gardener from across the city said I could bring a bucket, and they would give me a few shovels of worms from their outdoor compost bin. It was lovely to talk to her about composting and her indoor and outdoor composting journey.
This is one of my favorite methods because it can often connect you with another worm composting enthusiast. It is exciting to share the joy of a new cacoon or a bunch of new baby worms with another person who loves worms. They can also help you with questions, concerns, or fun ideas.
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Buy Worms In CO On Craigslist, eBay, and Etsy Sellers.
Craigslist, eBay, and Etsy are more online resources that could connect you to people in your community. Many people overlook these sites as they are not traditional places to find compost worms. Then again, what is a convenient place to find worms?
Here are some quick links to buy worms in Tennessee on Craigslist.
On both eBay and Etsy, you can search by location. Often you can filter search results by state or even by zip code. You can see an eBay listing to enter your location and the distance you’d like to stay within.
Worm Stores In Tennessee
Thankfully, if you want to purchase worms from a worm breeder in Tennessee, you have some options. Below I’ve listed a few different places you can find worms. These also include some home and garden stores that sell worms as well. If you know a brick-and-mortar business where you can buy worms, please share their information below!
Here are a few stores that you can check out.
A Vermi Farm
2629 Montvale Rd
Maryville, TN 37803
avermifarm@gmail.com
865-363-8857
Red Bud Farm
PO Box 770
Blountville, TN 37617
red_bud_farm@aol.com
Peach Creek Nursery
600 Peach Creek Road
McEwen TN, 37101
(931) 582-8143
Add a website
If you know of other websites to directly buy red worms in Tennesee, please share them below. Our goal is to make it easier for vermicomposters to get started.
