Worm bins anyone?

[Iarwain]

We're thinking about starting worm bins. Actually I want more than just composting, I'd like them to actually reproduce regularly. Anyone have worm bin experience? Tips? Links?

TIA!

[jghomeschooler]

:popcorn
I've always been interested in this too.

[tempus vernum]

I don't have any links because I was taught IRL.

Are you doing them indoors or out? I have done both.

basically, feed them everything you would your compost but mix it with processing compost (some compost, some food).

Keep it moist ALL THE TIME. I watered it when I watered the garden.

A trick to "harvesting" the vermicastings (worm compost) is to put a screen in the bin so that the only thing that gets through the screen is worms and finished product. Then when you want to use the compost you just lift the screen and shovel the vermicompost into a container for distribution. The majority of the worms stay in the area where it's not "finished" because that is where the food is.

For indoors, you can keep a small bin alive on daily coffee grounds alone if you drink coffeee. This is what I did just to keep the worms alive in the winter. I kept it in my basement and didn't want the smell of rotting food

Containers - Outdoors I used a wood container on stilts with 2 holes (one each end). Covered holes with screens. HOles are for drainage of water both rain and me watering. I put a bucket under each hole and used it as "compost tea" for my plants.

INdoors, I used a rubbermaid bin with holes punched in the cover and sides of the bin. I just was very careful to not overwater. I put my finger in regularly. The coffee grounds were the perfect dampness.

I successfully kept worms from my original acquisition alive for several years until LUke's diagnosis "killed" them (i.e. I forgot about them and they all died:td).

I was just pondering if I should buy some red worms and start over . WHere are you getting your worms?? I was thinking about garden's alive. My wormy bin is falling apart though from neglect :O

I just googled vermicompost and came up with some good vermiculture links
http://www.composters.com/docs/worms_p2.html
http://www.composters.com/docs/worms_p2.html
http://www.vermicompost.org/

[abbiroads]

I'm planning to get some soon!

[Iarwain]

Thanks Jodi! I'll check out your links. I hadn't thought much about where to get the worms, but a couple places I checked just briefly suggested a local bait shop which would be easy enough (and no shipping charge). Red wigglers aren't hard to find. We're currently pondering raising worms as supplemental protein for our chickens, especially if we go ahead and get a batch of meat chickens to raise (and maybe sell). The compost/castings would of course be very valuable too!