vermicomposting

anyone use (make their own) vermicomposting for the compost part of mel's mix?

I'm doing it but not properly yet. I have worms in my compost, which I know means my compost isn't getting hot enough. I'm working on that. In the meantime, I've taken all the worms out that I can (time to do it again because they've been multiplying in my compost) and have put them in a separate container to which I'm adding my kitchen scraps. I need a proper worm bin for them but am looking for an inexpensive way to build one - or find one real cheap. In the meantime, I'm doing the best I can to get my worm casting this way. I'll keep watching this topic to see what others are doing.

Bec

Blist and Bec,

Search "Vermiculture," "Vermicomposting" or "Worm Hilton" on this site. There is a great thread from a poster who put together a homemade inexpensive vermicomposting set-up that creates compost tea and worm castings compost.

It is something like a 5 page thread and is a terrific thread with pictures and instructions.

Bec, will your worm bin be indoors or outdoors?

I've been reading through different sites on the net, I will probably end up building an outdoor box, just have to find where to buy the worms, will call around and see what they have local.

Thanks for the forum topic, will read through that as well.

I was kind of hoping to just do my own compost through that method so I wouldn't have to buy anymore.

My worm bin will be outside. My husband says no way will it be inside.

Thanks for the referral to the worm bin thread. It's great!

Bec

If your bin is going to be outdoors, you might want to consider buying a cheap four-legged plastic utility sink at Lowe's or Home Depot. It has the right amount of mass to keep worms alive both summer and winter in our climate, and by placing a bucket under the drainage hole, you can collect worm tea very easily.

I started a worm bin around Christmas time. My son found some large Styrofoam bins that the local pet store receives its tropical fish packed in. They are great, they have a lid and the bottom is designed for stacking. I set it up at the bottom of my basement stairs and my husband didn't even know they were there until about a month ago when I started to harvest some compost. I got very excited about the texture and look of the compost and had to show it off.
The worms used for vermicompost are not the same as the earthworms you may find in your compost outside. The vermicompost worms live near the top of the soil and tend to move upwards, while earthworms like to go deep into the soil.
This upward movement is what made me decide to try out a worm farm. With holes in the bottom of a 2nd layer, I can stop feeding them in their container, and add food to the layer above them - they migrate and I don't have to handle them too much.
I love my black, velvety compost!!

I started with worms last May and put the worm condo outside in June until it got too cold. I live in Maine so can't keep them outside all winter. I have them in my bathroom. No odors all winter.
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The condo has a cover and 2 more stories if needed, but I'm showing it open.



I got a 28-lb bucket of rich worm castings last Sept.
I'm saving this rich compost to sidedress my plants this spring and summer.
I should also have another 28-lb bucket very shortly.
I'll have to set up for another working season when I put them outside, in the shade of some trees and bushes once again for the summer.

I can't say how well the compost works since I haven't used it yet.
But anyone who's worried about having a vermicomposter in their house doesn't have to be concerned. There's no odor from the worm city even when you open it to add more food scraps and its a terrific way to use up your kitchen scraps or shredded newspaper when the ground is frozen outside and you can't use your normal compost pile outside.

I hope the castings keep my plants healthy and producing all season.

I'm still seeing how I'm going to build my worm motel. Looks like I will be ordering my worms, can't really find anything around here.

Any sites you guys like for ordering from?

You want red wiggler worms for a vericompost bin, not the garden worms.
They are a different species.

blist wrote:I'm still seeing how I'm going to build my worm motel. Looks like I will be ordering my worms, can't really find anything around here.

Any sites you guys like for ordering from?

Ebay -- just do a search for "red wigglers". They cost around $30.00 a pound including shipping. Some bait shops carry red wigglers, but not around here. If you are in an urban area, you could also put an ad on Craigs list to see if anyone in your area has any.

I used the yahoo group 'freecycle' to find my red wigglers. This is a group with local affiliates. You can offer or request many items. You are not allowed to sell or ask for compensation. It is a great location to find FREE things that are of use.
I just posted a request for the worms and a lady about 1/2 mile away from me responded and set me up with my starter worms.
Good luck

dmpower: do you have pics of your styrofoam composter? I would like to see that.

I have a "worm inn" on order that I am going to try out but I will probably want to put more bins in at some point