Useful tool for working the worm bins (The Garden. vermicomposting)

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As many of you know, I have been vermicomposting as described on page 68 of issue 84/6 of Countryside. I moved the bins into my sunroom and livingroom to keep the redworms warm and active. Also, instead of just burying scraps, I slurry them with my food chopper and turn the bin contents periodicly to mix it in . After about 8 weeks now, the need has come to remove part of the compost. I have found that a kitty litter scoop works well for this. A new one is only $1 at dollar tree. I scoop up the compost and shake it over a 5 gal bucket, seperating the humus from the remaining bedding and worms. Something els I have done to keep them more active and productive is to use a heated needle to punch ventilation grills in the sides to help airate the bedding, eliminating potential co2 pocket in the bins. I read this at a worm site that I found with my search engine.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 12, 2000

Answers

All I can say is the Misses must be very understanding to have worm beds in the living room.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), December 12, 2000.

She paid for the worms. What she really likes is the bins don't smell and our outgoing trash is almost nill (all paper and cardboard goes into the bins for bedding along with the green scraps, carnivore scraps get turned to dog slurry). And she knows its only till spring.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 12, 2000.

Jay, Great idea when you're ready to harvest the compost, but just remember that your capsules for new worms are in there. They look like little tiny yellow to dark red lemons. The darker they are, the closer they are to hatching. You don't want to be throwing the baby out with the bath water! I harvest the compost into another bin, without any worms, and let them hatch, and get them out when they're big enough to actually see and handle, but before they become breeders (when they develope the "collar"). That way you can use your compost without losing any new worms. I think the kitty litter scoop is a nifty idea when you don't have to worry about any capsules being lost...I'll have to give it a try. Kathie

-- Kathie in Western Washington (twinrosefarm@att.worldnet.net), December 13, 2000.

Kathie, Thanks for the tip, I'll get a couple more starage bins for a 30 day layover before going to the garden.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 13, 2000.

Great idea I'll give it a try next time! What size bins do you use for your worms? I've been using some of the old storage bins 14 or 16 gallon, I think, from walmart or where ever. But every once in a while a few of the little critters tend to escape, even with mesh netting under the snap on cover for extra protection! I had thought of trying some 5 gallon buckets, but that doesn't leave much surface room for the little guys. But they sure do multiply fast!! Started out with just 500 in a small bin, now up to the 2 large ones and getting ready to set up a 3rd. Take care, Barb

-- Barb (WILDETMR@YAHOO.COM), December 13, 2000.


Barb, Mine have multiplied to about 150 from 2 fishing boxes. Something else I am considering is sowing rye grass in the layover bin, turning it under for the worms to increase the nitrogen in the mix prior to use.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 16, 2000.

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