Worm Castings

I found a place that sells worm castings in 4.5lb and 15lb bags. If I need 1.3 cuft of it how many pounds is that? This is the last item I need to start a couple of my boxes.

Thanks in advance

The problem is weight does not compute to cu. ft. We all go thru this, for some of the compost is measured by wt. and some in cu. ft.

It's sort of a judgement call. 1 cu. ft. is a little more than will fit in a 5 gal. bucket. And it depends on how wet it is.(It should be damp or the beneficial microbes will die off)

I've bought compost,1 cu. ft that was 20 lb. and another bag was 35 lbs. but it was real wet.

I'd buy the 15 lb. and see if that is enough. Worm castings is some good stuff!

Jo

Thanks for the info. Will be helpful, never thought of using a 5 gallon bucket to guage a cu ft.

Oddest thing about the pricing structure is the that the smaller bag is more of a bargain. $6 vice $24. Seems to me that 4 bags (or 18lbs) is a better deal

You are right! I did not know the price. Then you will get a bit more of the good stuff.

Jo

When I was trying to figure out how much soil I needed for my first raised bed, I'd lay the full bags out in the frame until it was one layer full .. In the bags were 80 pounds each, and were about 4 or 5" thick.. I wound up buying about 12 bags of soil if..



HTH in some way..

Are you guys using MM?

MM, yes, but the worm castings are a compost that is high in nutrients.

Jo

Yes I am using MM. Worm Castings are 1/5th of the compost third of the MM equation. Never knew dirt could be so expensive:shock:

I know we talk about making each compost 1/5 of our blend, but since worm castings are so rich, I wonder if it can be a lesser proportion to help balance out some of the box store brands. It is very expensive.

Kay

As near as I can figure 4 4.5lb bags was what I needed. Now that being said I didn't exactly measure all the parts of my MM but I did end up with enough to fill 2 of my 4 boxes.

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Now for the next expenditure of near $180 for the other 2.5 boxes.

kesugeo wrote:Never knew dirt could be so expensive:shock:

I buy 1 compost in bulk($10 per ton, but probably not as good) and I have my worms. they are a lifesaver, for I'm adding more beds this yr.
Jo

walshevak wrote:I know we talk about making each compost 1/5 of our blend, but since worm castings are so rich, I wonder if it can be a lesser proportion to help balance out some of the box store brands. It is very expensive.

Kay

Kay ,

Don't do it lass it's false ecomomy , cutting corners reduces crops when setting up new ANSFG beds. however can you find another element to make the five way compost bend ?



I have been happily surprised , for in my quest to get materials for the five way blend I have now managed to source :- Horse muck neat , with straw , with wood pulp , Chicken muck neat , with straw, Turkey muck neat , with straw ,cow muck from a dairy milking parlour neat & with straw from a byre , sheep muck with straw , goose muck with straw , rabbit muck net, with straw, hay , shavings & sawdust , goat muck from itys shelter & finally green veg & fruit matter from a local company who pre prepares for commercial entities like schools , hospitals and restaurants.

Just for belt and braces I also purchased four cheap 3 kg packs of fish blood & bone meal to add to the final blending of the composts as this is my first year in the total MM method of ANSFG.



I have not yet used my own stuff .. give it a week or two till it's all finished and blended up then there'll be no stopping me as I have five full bins ( 11 cubic feet each ) to combine /blend and about 1/2 ton more of all sorts of muck to compost up.

I have my 5 composts and have started a worm bin for some boost later. It was just a thought to help cut start up costs if possible by making it a sixth at a lower proportion to boost some iffy big box brands.

I had a great year last year and added 4 beds this year. I was able to use the compost in one of my garbage can composters for replenishment for my fall/winter gardens and I have an open pile.

Kay

Hello Everyone. I priced 15lbs at a store near by for 46.95. But found it half the price on line! I have 4 other composting items and going to add some Lobster one to the mix. I also have been offered composted Emul or goat poop. Some animal not sure what one. Should I trust this to my new mix? Want to start it today so may have to pay higher cost for the worm stuff.

My opinion is I wouldn't buy worm castings unless I could talk to the supplier to find out how old the stuff is. I've come across information that says to use castings within 6 months of production as it can lose its potency. You may find a local source if you google worm castings.

Here is a local store near me that I like, has 15 pounds for 19 dollars and thats free shipping.
http://www.rootnaturally.com/store/8-earthworm-castings

Well I just bought 4 at .15lbs each for about $20.00 each.. Hope they are worth it.. Cheaper then buying it at the local place that wanted $ 46.95 for about 15 lbs. I bought them off EBay.

Hi Now I find it on eBay for 50lbs for $50.00/ Not the same person. Hoping the ones I bought come in the nice container it is pictured in.

Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered worm castings and coir. Can't wait to get both and PLAY with my new toys.

I get the Wiggle Worm worm castings in 30 lb bags for $20 at a local hydroponics store. You can get 2 -15 pound bags (30 lbs total) with free shipping online for $32. If the "growing your greens" special deal is still going on, you can also get a 10% discount. I used this as one of my compost ingredients, and I'm so glad I did. Here is the link to the video where John Kohler explains where to order it. It's 11 or 12 minutes into the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5ItTiwlA_I

I know the castings are fresh, because there are usually a couple of very fresh, undigested sprouts in there.