Thanks jay that would be a big plus for the worm bin bag. Especially is winter when I make it thermo it can dry out fast.
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Worming 101
- Thread starter Suby
- Start date
that works... i like to layer it. keeps things evened out and not too wet.
yes.
jjfoo, if it ain't broke... has your system been going for a while no problems? what are you feeding?
quadracer
Active member
I have a three bin worm bin, where there is a bottom, middle, and top. I won't add bedding directly, since the bottom bin works as such.
What has been helpful is adding some wood shavings in my compost bucket I keep indoors. It will take up to a week to fill it (2 gallon max), and I add the shavings at the bottom to collect the water runoff. It helps with the smell as well as makes a nice bedding (and adds carbon to the mix!) for the worms.
I'm experimenting right now with different mushroom species that break down the more ligneous material that doesn't break down completely.
I lot of fruit scrapes, banana peels, melon and cucumber peels, persimons, etc. Basically whatever the local farmers market sells I buy and use the scraps. I also use all my water leaves. I don't add citrus peels, strong smelling stuff (garlic, onion, etc, this goes just in another pile).
I also through in my egg whites with shells (I keep the yoke for me). When the weather gets warm I get black soldier fly larvae, which really speed the breakdown.
wow, I had the idea that mushroom propagation requires a lot of effort and a sterile environment.
Can you recommend a link for me to see about this?
quadracer
Active member
Hmm, not sure. Read "Mycelium Running" and "Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms" by Paul Stamets.
Sterilization is crucial and you will get a lot farther if you sterilize. I am trying a couple experiments right now, one of which is taking grain spawn from Oyster mushrooms and putting it in the worm bin. Here's some pictures, the mycelium is healthy and strong. Not sure if I will actually get any mushrooms, but the mycelium is still doing its job.
homemade tray system
homemade tray system
Hey there guys and gals, what a great thread this is, tons of usefull info. I have been reading a bit on worming and after looking over some designs on the net decided on trying to make a tiered wooden system myself(but on the cheap/free side of things) as i cant constitute that amount of money for something so seemingly simple. Anyhow here some pictures of what i pieced together one rainy day, i had access to some old lumber and some smoothedge from carpet installations, so the only thing i had to buy was the wire mesh which i got for $2 for a 3x3 piece.
Unfortunately its the dead of winter here up north and have no resource locally for worms at this time of year so i'll have to wait for it to warm up before i can take a long drive to the nearest vermicomposting business and stuff the bin full of goodies. I will check back when i get it started and update the progress as i tried to make the bins a little different than most commercial ones i saw, i left spaces between the bins vertically for air to flow through, not sure how this will work for letting the worms climb through to the upper bins but can allways be changed. Once again thanks for all the great ideas and great thread keep it alive!!
homemade tray system
Hey there guys and gals, what a great thread this is, tons of usefull info. I have been reading a bit on worming and after looking over some designs on the net decided on trying to make a tiered wooden system myself(but on the cheap/free side of things) as i cant constitute that amount of money for something so seemingly simple. Anyhow here some pictures of what i pieced together one rainy day, i had access to some old lumber and some smoothedge from carpet installations, so the only thing i had to buy was the wire mesh which i got for $2 for a 3x3 piece.
Unfortunately its the dead of winter here up north and have no resource locally for worms at this time of year so i'll have to wait for it to warm up before i can take a long drive to the nearest vermicomposting business and stuff the bin full of goodies. I will check back when i get it started and update the progress as i tried to make the bins a little different than most commercial ones i saw, i left spaces between the bins vertically for air to flow through, not sure how this will work for letting the worms climb through to the upper bins but can allways be changed. Once again thanks for all the great ideas and great thread keep it alive!!
nice bin!
I've read that the bedding needs to reach all the way to next bin if you want them to migrate, fyi.
I've read that the bedding needs to reach all the way to next bin if you want them to migrate, fyi.
Trichgnomes
Member
They can't jump.
skwest
Blue Ridge Vermiculture carries the major varieties of composting worms and on the major varieties used, i.e. Red Worms (Eisenia fetida) and the European Nightcrawlers (Eisenia Hortensis) they have both worms as well as cocoons. I was advised to use both in my worm bins and I'm glad that I heeded that advice.
I think that the cocoons are the better way to go especially this time of the year if you're still having snow and cold weather.
Good folks who I can highly recommend.
HTH
CC
Jumping Worms
Jumping Worms
Actually there is a variety of fishing worms which can 'jump' - seriously.
They're called 'Alabama Jumpers' (aka 'Georgia Jumpers') - I'm not joking. I'm also not suggesting that you buy or use them either.
LOL
CC
Jumping Worms
Actually there is a variety of fishing worms which can 'jump' - seriously.
They're called 'Alabama Jumpers' (aka 'Georgia Jumpers') - I'm not joking. I'm also not suggesting that you buy or use them either.
LOL
CC
Blue Ridge Vermiculture carries the major varieties of composting worms and on the major varieties used, i.e. Red Worms (Eisenia fetida) and the European Nightcrawlers (Eisenia Hortensis) they have both worms as well as cocoons. I was advised to use both in my worm bins and I'm glad that I heeded that advice.
I think that the cocoons are the better way to go especially this time of the year if you're still having snow and cold weather.
Good folks who I can highly recommend.
HTH
Thanks for the reply/info, you were advised to you both types of worms or both worms and cocoons from one type?? Im up in Canada so the company is not much help, but i do know of some ones alot closer i had just figured that they could not "ship" worms or cocoons at -15c, so i may be in for a little drive. A nearby company has stated they now only stock Eisenia Hortensis---"We have raised these Euros side by side with red wigglers and found the Euros to be less temperamental, to handle stress better, and to tolerate more of a temperature range. In addition, the Euros are great dual purpose worms...ie. fishing and composting.
This is why we now offer the Euros as our top pick for composting. "
Not sure that i want to specifically single out these as i've heard much more of Eisenia fetida but to get these would mean an over an hour drive and for $40 a lb. There is a company out of Ontario that sells "starter culture bags" with handfulls of compost and creatures in them, but again would have to be shipped a distance through very cold weather, but a bit cheaper than the lb of worms alone.
http://www.wormcomposting.ca/website-news/a-bag-of-worms-in-more-detail/
Anyone ever buy from these folks???, id imagine im going to end up taking a little road trip for some worm friends, cause i want to get the bin up and running asap
Thanks again for the help CC
I think that the cocoons are the better way to go especially this time of the year if you're still having snow and cold weather.
Good folks who I can highly recommend.
HTH
Thanks for the reply/info, you were advised to you both types of worms or both worms and cocoons from one type?? Im up in Canada so the company is not much help, but i do know of some ones alot closer i had just figured that they could not "ship" worms or cocoons at -15c, so i may be in for a little drive. A nearby company has stated they now only stock Eisenia Hortensis---"We have raised these Euros side by side with red wigglers and found the Euros to be less temperamental, to handle stress better, and to tolerate more of a temperature range. In addition, the Euros are great dual purpose worms...ie. fishing and composting.
This is why we now offer the Euros as our top pick for composting. "
Not sure that i want to specifically single out these as i've heard much more of Eisenia fetida but to get these would mean an over an hour drive and for $40 a lb. There is a company out of Ontario that sells "starter culture bags" with handfulls of compost and creatures in them, but again would have to be shipped a distance through very cold weather, but a bit cheaper than the lb of worms alone.
http://www.wormcomposting.ca/website-news/a-bag-of-worms-in-more-detail/
Anyone ever buy from these folks???, id imagine im going to end up taking a little road trip for some worm friends, cause i want to get the bin up and running asap
Thanks again for the help CC
skwest
You have to buy both types of worms or cocoons and having said that, often when worm sellers around here offer the European Nightcrawlers they add a statement that you'll probably find some Red Wigglers in the mix. The gentleman who told me that he got better results by having both types in a bin had some really nice EWC to compare. Since raising and selling worms was his only business I went with his advice.
RE: Vermicomposting in Canada
Canada is way ahead of the US for using composting worms. I'm sure that the company you linked will give you good information and starter worms. They multiply like crazy if you have the worm bin set-up correctly which isn't rocket science.
HTH
CC
You have to buy both types of worms or cocoons and having said that, often when worm sellers around here offer the European Nightcrawlers they add a statement that you'll probably find some Red Wigglers in the mix. The gentleman who told me that he got better results by having both types in a bin had some really nice EWC to compare. Since raising and selling worms was his only business I went with his advice.
RE: Vermicomposting in Canada
Canada is way ahead of the US for using composting worms. I'm sure that the company you linked will give you good information and starter worms. They multiply like crazy if you have the worm bin set-up correctly which isn't rocket science.
HTH
CC
---CC
Thanks again for the help,
Got ahold of a chap in the town where i live today who sells wigglers, $19/half pound, saves me $$$ driving an hour away to get them and back from the other resource. Although this guy never mentioned anything about different species, how rare is it to only find one kind when you buy a pound of them?? I figure if I go this route at least i'll be able to have something eatin the table scraps till the snow melts, then it'll be digging time. Never knew we were that into it here really but i am a newb at the composting side of things. I'll end up buying them from the guy in town as i like to support local business, makes me feel a bit better for dropping $40 on worms. Got some good literature on the subject as well so hopefully i wasnt too baked while reading it all and should have no problem getting things up and running. I'll check back in with some pics of my worms bridging the gap in the next couple months, i have complete faith in my worm training abilities(naw i just checked the gap and its less than a half inch so at worst i'll just fill up the trays like i was loading the bong, STUFFED). Happy worming all
Thanks again for the help,
Got ahold of a chap in the town where i live today who sells wigglers, $19/half pound, saves me $$$ driving an hour away to get them and back from the other resource. Although this guy never mentioned anything about different species, how rare is it to only find one kind when you buy a pound of them?? I figure if I go this route at least i'll be able to have something eatin the table scraps till the snow melts, then it'll be digging time. Never knew we were that into it here really but i am a newb at the composting side of things. I'll end up buying them from the guy in town as i like to support local business, makes me feel a bit better for dropping $40 on worms. Got some good literature on the subject as well so hopefully i wasnt too baked while reading it all and should have no problem getting things up and running. I'll check back in with some pics of my worms bridging the gap in the next couple months, i have complete faith in my worm training abilities(naw i just checked the gap and its less than a half inch so at worst i'll just fill up the trays like i was loading the bong, STUFFED). Happy worming all
