A quick search over the internet reveals many different sites saying that pineapple should not be added to worm farms. Some sites even say that pineapple could harm and even kill the worms.
I love fresh pineapple and it goes into my worm farm regularly. I always observe worms congregating around the chunks of pineapple. It is a fascinating sight to see huge clumps of happy and healthy worms in and around it, which is at odds with this often cited internet information. These sites reckon that the acidity and the protein digesting enzyme called bromelain which is in pineapple, is the reason why it shouldn’t be placed into worm farms or compost.
I decided to do some myth busting and put this to the test! I acquired quite a few pineapples, ate the contents and placed the scraps into one of my worm farms. I must add here that this is a most delicious experiment. I was also lucky enough to receive a few whole pineapples that had over ripened and began to degrade. Not so good for human consumption, but perfect for the worms and this experiment to really bust this myth! I entered this experiment with slight trepidation because I really love my worms and what if these worm experts were right?
I liberally blanketed one of my worm farms with pineapple scraps, including the core of the pineapples, which is said to be the part of the pineapple that contains the most bromelain. Two days later and the worms had once again noticeably congregated in and around the pineapple. They certainly did not look to be sick, dead or dying. On the contrary, they looked extremely active.
One week later, I checked on the pineapple experiment again. When I opened the lid and peeled back my worm blanket I was amazed! The worms were not only in and around the pineapple, they were also on top of it. We are not talking about just one or two stray worms, they really are clumping in and around the pineapple.
When I lifted the pineapple pieces up I could see lots and lots of worms all intertwined inside the pineapple amongst the fibres. They were devouring the flesh of the pineapple, working their way through it. I believe that if the pineapple was going to harm the worms in some way, or kill them we would have begun to see some evidence of this after one week had passed. Placing an abnormally large amount of pineapple into the worm farm is a great way to test the effects of it. If my worms were unharmed from blanketing my worm farm with pineapple, then I’m sure it is safe to say that pineapple will not kill or harm your worms. It is important to note here that acidity naturally builds up in all worm farms over time, even if you are avoiding adding acidic waste to it (such as citrus, onions and garlic). To keep the correct PH level in your worm farm you can add Tumbleweed’s Worm Farm & Compost Conditioner or a sprinkle of lime in on a regular basis.
For lots of information on home growing vegies, worm farming and lots more, check out the book “Grow Your Own”….buy it here>>>>