Add worm castings to compost pile?

akameswaran 9/11/2010, 11:43 am

So I've got a 3 layer vertical worm box I built myself. It's working out well, no odors, lots of happy worms. The problem is, the worms keep wanting to move to the higher layers before the bedding is entirely broken down in the bottom layer. I am tempted to throw the 60-70% done casting onto my compost pile and let it all finish out through the winter (and my compost pile is a little low on fuel)
Any reason this is a bad idea?

Retired Member 1 9/12/2010, 10:59 am

I don't see why this won't work. If it were me, I'd screen the castings, use the "good stuff" directly on the garden and compost the rest, which would still have a fair amount of castings on them. But composting the whole thing should be fine if you don't have use for the castings now.

akameswaran 9/12/2010, 11:06 am

I like that idea.... I'm going to load up new food in the higher boxes, draw them out, screen the good stuff, and throw the partially decomposed remains on my compost bin.

One challenge is I really don't have any need for compost at the moment. The beds that are rested for next year have already been prepped, and it'll hopefully be another month or so before my other boxes go to sleep for the winter.

I'm pretty new to composting/vermicomposting. Does vermicompost have to stay moist? Also, I would guess if I leave the vermicompost outside it will freeze - which might be one reason to throw everything in the composter - it should stay warmer.

Thanks

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Add worm castings to compost pile?

Add worm castings to compost pile?

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Re: Add worm castings to compost pile?


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