SpicySativa
Well-Known Member
Short answer: Nothingwhat will happen to my soil if the worms die in it.?
Long(er) answer: Your soil microbes will decompose (eat) the dead worms and return the nutrients to your soil.
Short answer: Nothingwhat will happen to my soil if the worms die in it.?
DankSwag-
That looks like it's coming along really nicely. How much worms did you start off with? How long did it take you to get to this phase? I don't see any identifiable bedding material in there; what are you using as bedding?
That looks great but doesnt it leak onto your floor?Great thread!! I am new to this forum, but have been reading posts and am very thankful to everyone for their sharing of knowledge.
I've had some very positive results over the last 7 months with vermicomposting using littlfe effort, so thought I'd share. I used books "Worms Eat My Garbage", Teaming with Microbes, and Steve Solomon's advice.
I agree with basically all the advice I've seen given on this thread, except for worrying about bugs. Since no crop is being grown, there is little risk to damage from pests.
I've always seen it balance out (lots of knats, then lots of mites, then nothing for a while, etc.). I personally wouldn't go out of my way to treat worm bin pests other than covering them up with some bedding or cardboard.
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(you can't see them because they hide from light and they are covered in dirt, but there are tons, of all different sizes, much more than when I started over 7 months ago.
1. I created a rectangular frame with legs out of 2x4's and attached wheels on the bottom for convenience
2. I purchased a roll of geotextile material (same as smartpot) on amazon, and stapled it around my frame
3. I used moistened peat moss as the medium, but also added random stuff - alfalfa hay, newspaper shreddings, etc.
3.a. I used about 6 inches of peat moss. I have found it useful to have a thick layer, in case of too much heat or dry weather, worms can flock to the center until you find time to remoisturize.
4. Added 1 lb. of Uncle Jim's red wigglers purchased via Amazon.com (this was mailed to me during 90+ degree weather in July and turned out fine)
5. Cover bin with various choices - I've used cannabis leaves, moist bedding, moist cardboard. If it seems to get aneorobic, use a more pourous cover. If too dry, do the opposite.
6. Keep the bin moist periodically via spraying, or pouring water just until it drips out the bottom. Just like a plant - but its not as important to take care of. I've gone weeks without paying attention. Its more important during hot weather
7. I keep a 2 gallon plastic bucket under my sink, and fill it with coffee grounds, egg shells, veggie scraps, etc.
8. I empty the bucket in the bin and cover with bedding whenever I feel like it
9. If I feel I am adding too much of something (too much bread/coffee grounds/citrus) I will put some in my outside compost bin instead.
10. When weather is cool enough, I transport some worms to my outside compost bins
11. Tip: Sometimes I add some bran , hay, or oats, etc. to the top of the worm bin and spray down. Soon after, you see fungi mycelia all over. My understanding is this is great worm food and a good addition to the diversity. I have never heard of doing this in worm bins, but it makes sense to me.
Happy Vermicomposting!!
Check these worm castings I just harvested...A thread about poop, love it
Yeah maybe...i just think they are way to worm-like to be worms though...Kronicool-
They look like earth worms