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SHIPPING & RETURNS

SHIPPING 

We ship certain sizes of our worm castings to any address within the state of Virginia. Virgina state sales tax and shipping is calculated at checkout.

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Online orders typically ship next day from our central Virginia location via USPS Priority Mail. Please allow an additional 2-5 days for transit based on delivery location. Tracking is sent via email on the day your order ships. 

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RETURNS

If an item is received damaged or is incorrectly shipped by us please contact Customer Support immediately. We will make every effort to correct the error. Items that are damaged in transit will qualify for replacement or store credit.

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CUSTOMER CARE

We're always just a click away! Email us with any questions or concerns. Our customer care department will be in touch, typically within 1 business day.

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PRIVACY & SAFETY

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information unless we provide you with advance notice, except as described below. The term "outside parties" does not include Terra Firma Landscaping LLC. It also does not include website hosting partners and other parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety.

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PAYMENT METHODS

- Paypal

- Sorry, we do not currently accept credit cards

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  • What do you feed your worms?
    We use recycled waste streams when feeding our worms. Waste includes our own organic farm crop waste, local yard debris from our sustainable landscaping company, and select local plant-based food waste collected from Richmond VA. We also use local straw and wood chips. These items are not individually added to worm beds. We use our thermophilic compost recipe and process to partially break down waste before it is fed to worms. This ensures a nutrient-rich, biologically diverse final product. Our feedstock recipe is not based on animal manure, processed grain feed, peat moss, or other non-sustainable inputs.
  • Are your products certified organic?
    Our compost and worm castings are not OMRI certified, but we do follow guidelines for producing organic products. We use plant-based waste from our own sustainable farm and landscaping operation, ensuring that pesticides and herbicides are not introduced during our process. Additionally, all compost goes through a rigorous PFRP Process (Process to Further Reduce Pathogens) to ensure that any pathogens or weeds seeds are destroyed. We're a small compost-crafter and the fees associated with becoming OMRI listed are cost prohibitive at this time. We can keep product costs low if we do not have to pay for certification.
  • How often is your compost tested?
    We use a third party to test our compost and vermicast at least once annually to ensure quality. Since our recipe and process changes minimally, nutrient data is fairly consistent across batches. However, due to the inconsistent nature of using recycled waste streams, some variation can be expected.
  • How do I use worm castings in my garden?
    Direct Soil Application: Garden Beds: mix 1” into top few inches of soil Potting Soil: mix 1 part vermicast to 4 parts soil Transplanting: mix 1/2 cup into planting hole Perennials: sprinkle 1” wide ring around plant base Roses: mix 2 cups into top few inches around plant Frequency: Apply every two to three months during growing season. Worm Casting Tea: Brew Method: place two cups castings into a mesh filter or stocking and steep in 5 gallons of rain water.* Aerate continuously with an aerator pump or manually agitate every hour for 12 - 48 hours. Use immediately. Application: drench soil around plants or use a sprayer to mist foliage. Frequency: apply every two weeks during growing season. *Or allow tap water to stand for 24 hours before using
  • Oops...I just ordered castings but I don't live Virginia. Will you still ship my order?
    Sorry, we will need to refund your order. Our product page is set up for shipping to Virginia locations only, including Virginia shipping rates and state sales tax. If you live outside the state of Virginia and wish to purchase castings, please contact us to discuss options.
  • What kind of worms do you use for vermicomposting?
    We use red wigglers (eisenia fetida). These worms are considered the gold standard in vermicomposting for a variety of reasons. They thrive in a worm bed environment, typically living in and consuming the topmost layer of the food and bedding. They tolerate a range of living conditions. The castings they produce are nutrient-rich and coated with beneficial enzymes.
  • How long does it take to produce your worm castings?
    Although voracious consumers, red wigglers require some time to make their castings. One standard worm bed produces approximately 0.75 cubic yard of castings in 4-6 months time.
  • How long have you been composting with worms?
    Our vermicomposting operation began in 2016. It took several years to perfect our input recipe, refine the composting process, and get our nutrient and microbe numbers to potent levels. We've grown from a single room then to a dedicated building of large custom beds today. We are continuing to grow based on the accolades and repeat sales of our customers.
  • When I order worm castings, how old are they? How long will they be good?
    We do not store our castings in plastic bags. Worm castings are generally stored right in the worm beds or in aerated storage bins until they are packaged to order. We harvest new castings about three times yearly and they are typically used or sold within a few months. If stored correctly, castings retain their benefits for 18 - 24 months. Proper storage includes keeping your castings in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Don't store castings in an outdoor shed that sees extreme temperatures. Castings are a living soil, so should have airflow. Never store castings in plastic bags or airtight containers. For long term storage, keep castings in a solid, opaque container with a loose fitting lid or air holes to allow for adequate passage of air.
  • Are your worm castings 100% pure castings?
    Our vermicast is a mixture of castings, composted matter, microbes, and enzymes. The mix is beneficial in its entirety, ensuring just the right balance of nutrients and microorganisms, along with a neutral pH, to stimulate plant growth. It's not possible to separate only the castings from the other beneficial ingredients.
  • What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
    African or European?
  • I live in North Carolina. Will you ship worm castings to my location?
    We follow a doctrine of sustainability, which means that we strive to keep our products local. Our products are made to disrupt local waste streams and benefit local gardens. While we encourage you to find a local compost provider, feel free to contact us if you feel there is nothing comparable available to you locally.
FAQ
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