The Enviromentals. How to Build a Worm Composting Bin

[Gaho2Many]

I hope you make more vids!

[devastatorsgaming]

how to tell if boy or girl

[sundogforlove]

My friend. The sissors is a waste of time. Try using your paper shreader.

[GimlieGirl16]

We did this project about a month ago and almost have compost ready to use. Had a bit of a rocky start (was too wet) but worked it out nicely. We're only using two 5 gallon tubs to start but I can definitely see us going up to 10 gallons.

[mybuddy17]

Hi Hal. I have hundreds of little black, shiney, roundish beetles in my worm bin. They are very active and crawl within the compost. They can even fly. Do you know what these are called and are they any threat to my worms? Thanks.

[lukywest]

You seriously need to make videos once every week and you would have a good following and maybe partner on YouTube the production value and education values are off the chart! Thanks for the video.

[halbrindley]

@lukywest,

Thanks! glad you enjoyed them!

-hal b

[forthelove77]

@lukywest They are fun to watch

[lukywest]

You seriously m

[Fujisuka]

Funny video guys great!

[919yzy74]

I absolutely love this video! Totally fun, it made me giggle!!! Thanks a bunch! 

[lunarrn]

You guys need to do more videos.

[GreenSolarGarden]

Your videos are very entertaining and educational at the same time.

Thanks!

[deasttn]

Very nice

About the only things I would have added: 1. A section on harvesting the compost (I read your harvesting comments). 2. A tip to use any liquid that might collect in the bottom bin to moisten the next batch of newspaper or use as fertilizer (compost tea of sorts). 3. Where to get worms.

Good job.

[sbth420]

dear Halbrindley,

You rock!!!!! like i am so glad that i found someone like you. i am the exact same way! i love to help the world and i also love to have fun and someone finally smashed the 2 together! i just want to say thank you. my worms, George,George,George,George,Ge­orge,George,George,George,Geor­ge,George,George,George, and you gussed it!, Jerry, are doing fine! and i will donate to the dodo company one my hard working worms have made enough compost. thank you again, you favorite fan.

[toinosse]

Ha! There is no global warming. But like the rest of the video.

[gkm17]

Very nice job!

[PrimulaPriestess]

HEY GUYS, YOU ARE THE BEST THANKS FOR YOUR CREATIVITY . THANKS FOR ALL YOUR TIPS. HELOO!!! FROM VENEZUELA

[pha3zme]

Fantastic video, but you might want to edit the end of it. Global Warming is pseudo-science. There is a lot of evidence stacked against it and the conceptual theory itself really doesn't hold up to physical scrutiny very well.

[arkansastrash320]

We need more poop in the world !!The good kind from these hard working worms and wow my garden could grow like it never has before nice !!

[ArepaSandwich]

What was the last song before the end credits? Ive heard it before and cant put my finger on it.

[SnowKitingVegan]

Thanks for this awesome video! Amazing, Educational Video. Thanks guys.

[jpcquadnet]

I love my worms

[wethepeople2013]

your landlord is gonna be pissed about his screen

[azamsharp]

Awesome video!!!!

I have couple of questions. I use a compost bin which is like a sphere shape. It is round and I put in on a stand and I can rotate it. It is outside is a sunny area. Can I use that as my worm bin or should I get a rectangle box like the one you showed in the video.

Also, what happens to the worms when the compost is done?

[halbrindley]

@azamsharp,

You can use it as long as it doesn't get too hot in the sun and fry your worms. Plus they need air. Also they wouldn't like being tumbled. they like a nice quiet dark stable environment. So if you put it on the ground & use it like a box I suppose it might work? See post below about how to harvest compost. Or check out our page for more info: dodofilms

[azamsharp]

@halbrindley Thanks! Can you direct me to the video or post which talks about harvesting the compost!

[halbrindley]

@azamsharp ,

go to the projects page and at the bottom is a link for the worm bin video page. Good luck!

[TheTepak1]

This is probably the best video that I've ever seen on the subject! High Fives, High Thousands to ya guysssss! Dancing Dan the Bamboo Man!

[halbrindley]

@TheTepak1,

Thanks Dancing Dan!

[TheTepak1]

This is probably the best video that I've ever seen on the subject! High Fives, High Thousands to ya guysssss! Dancing Dan the Bamboo Man!

[kittagurl10]

wait, soo worms can eat egg shells???

[rightview]

Last question: is it ok to feed worms the fruit that has some mold on it, e.g., strawberries too long in the fridge?

[halbrindley]

rightview,

yeah, I think mold is fine. It's one of things that lives in your bin anyway and helps break down your food waste. There are loads of micro-organisms and plants and fungi and tiny insects that all work together to decompose your waste. It's a serious community in there!

[rightview]

Thanks, guys! Funniest compost instructions for sure! I read all your posts. Am I getting it right?: Bottom bin with bricks catches the "tea." Next bin on top is the "starter bin". Add scraps every 2-3 days to minimally disturb the worms. And then when enough compost is made in that starter bin, you add the third bin with damp newspaper in it to invite the worms to crawl into it (which then allows you to take the finished compost in the starter bin away)?

[halbrindley]

Hi rightview,

All correct except there are only 2 bins. The bottom has no holes in and catches goop and runaway worms. The top bin holds the worms and newspaper and all your compost, has holes in sides and bottom, and has a lid. You keep a layer of shredded paper at the top of your bin to cover your food waste as you put it in. The worms will eventually eat all your paper so you keep adding some every few weeks. Can only write 500 words per response so I'll write another to address harvesting!

[halbrindley]

rightview,

The 2 most common ways to harvest your compost after several months:

1) dump out bin & hand pick your worms out. a little traumatic for them but a good way to see how your population is doing

2) push all your compost to one end of your bin & place fresh strips of newspaper in other end (the empty end). Start placing all your fresh food scraps in new side and within a week or two all the worms will have migrated to the new food and out of your compost. then scoop out the old side!

[rightview]

Tx 4 clarification, Hal. (Pondering my first bin.) So if the worms:food = 2:1 (per sq ft), or 1 lb worms eats 1/2 lb of food daily, since the worms multiply over time, do you slowly increase the amount of food you put in daily, i.e., what indicators let you know you can increase the amount of food to, say, 3/4 lbs. of food daily?

[halbrindley]

rightview,

your worm population won't expand beyond its food supply and the space it has to live in. You're initial population may be smaller than the final total it may reach in your bin. In this case I would guess that yes, you can increase the food over time. But I'm not really an expert, just a guy who's had a bin! You can try your local worm supplier for more info.

[rightview]

Tx, Hal. Also, Qstn #1) Which is true: (a) place food in "daily"? --OR-- (b) every 2-3 days for minimum disturbance to the worms? if so, this means then that we save up 1.5 lbs (in the fridge) and then place in bin under a layer of damp newspaper on the 3rd day? then repeat? Qstn #2) How long does it take for the worms to multiply beyond the capacity of a 1 sq ft bin? Qstn #3) What do you do w/those worms besides giving to friends (I container garden): a) release to a grassy park?

[halbrindley]

rightview,

1) You can feed your worms as often or as infrequently as you want (every day or once a week). The only thing to keep in mind is that lifting off the paper bumping around the container is mildly disturbing to the worms. But I know people who put food in daily. 2) your worm population can't grow beyond its resources. if there is not enough food or space the population will level off. 3) even so, when you have a strong population it's a good time to give some worms to friends!

[mybuddy17]

Thanks Hal. I appreciate your advice.

The guy I bought the worms from said that I should not put fresh plant matter/food scraps in right away, but let the organic matter start to turn brown because during the decomposition process there is a phase where heat is released and from what I read on the internet this heat phase can kill the worms. All the videos I've seen on Youtube people just feed the worms with fresh plant matter after the bin is established. Do you have any thoughts on this?

[halbrindley]

@mybuddy17,

I've put food scraps straight in and had no problem, but best to do what your worm guy said. Although, f it's already getting cold in the garage maybe a little heat wouldn't be bad! Worms tolerate about the same temperatures we do.

[halbrindley]

You don't actually have to mix it at all! Just keep adding some new shredded paper to the top occasionally, maybe once a month. Your worms will consume the newspaper and it will turn into compost with the rest of your muck. Your worms will travel freely through the muck. They will eat near the surface and hide near the bottom. After a few months you may decide you're ready to harvest. You can either handpick your worms out or you can push all the compost to one side and add new food to the other

[mybuddy17]

Thanks. I left the lid off for a day and some of the moisture evaporated and the smell went away.

My bin has been going strong now for a couple of weeks. Should I mix the contents of the bin around periodically? From bottom to top? How often should I mix the muck and worms?

[mybuddy17]

My wormbin SMELLS like mildew. I can smell it when I walk into the house, so I put it in the garage. Now I'm worried that its going to get too cold in there so I am going to have to bring it inside at night.

[halbrindley]

Hi mybuddy17 ,

A smelly, mildewy worm bin is almost always a result of being too wet inside the bin.

There are a couple ways to correct this. In the long term you need more air flow in the top and better drainage in the bottom (more holes for both). In the short term, to dry it out, you can add more shredded newspaper and keep the lid off it for a while in a dark dry place (garage should be fine.) As for the temperature, yes, your worms will freeze in freezing temperatures!

[roon4660]

We should definitely tax people that fart too much.

[rondre3]

Awesome! Enjoyed your video, thanks.

[logicalproctor]

Great video, men -- thank you for you all your energy and work!

I'm very grateful for the bit about the ratios of bin area to compost volume. I'm hesitant to buy a commercially produced vermiculture bin because my partner & I, both basically vegan, produce more food scraps in a week than I reckon they can handle. Now I just have to find a way to make a larger vertical migration bin that meets my snooty aesthetics. I want worm furniture! In the meantime I haul my stuff to the NYC greenmarket.

[LycheeWhore]

This was a great video! Questions: do you have to cover all the holes with screen? And what should you use to glue the screen on? Does it matter? Thanks!

[LycheeWhore]

This was a great video! Questions: do you have to cover all the holes with screen? And what should you use to glue the screen on? Does it matter? Thanks!

[halbrindley]

No, you don't have to cover the holes at all. But it can help slow the movement of flies in or out of the bin. If you do attach screen, use a hot glue gun.

thanks for watching!

-hal

[happyjihad]

HAHAHAHA oh god look at those swords. Hilarious.

[benefield07]

Great Vid fellas,

Hi,

I have just watched your video on creating a worm farm, it was very clear. I have a couple of quick questions.

1. When I drilled my drainage holes in the bin they didn't come out has nice clean holes, plastic was still hanging around and was quite rough. Will this affect the worms negatively when they migrate ?

2. Can you add scraps every night or should you build them up and do it at the end of the week ?

Thanks for your help.

Regards

Bene

[halbrindley]

@benefield07

Hi Bene,

Thanks for watching! Don't worry about the plastic shavings. It shouldn't harm the worms. But we cleaned ours out with a knife blade (as you see leigh doing when he flips his knife open)

You CAN give them scraps every day but if you want to be sensitive to your worms happiness, they don't really enjoy being disturbed and exposed. So every few days is a good. You can either store your scraps in a bowl in the fridge or in an open jar on the counter (like i do!) Thanks! Hal

[cowboyup343]

i use my worm for fishing but i dont use it for the environment

[BereanStudent]

Very helpful! My wife & I tried to make one on our own and now I know what we were doing wrong because it stinks so bad that we have it outside and we were about to give up. I was missing drainage holes and everything that goes into drainage. Also it was missing shredded newspaper. Basically it is just a bin with mud, worms, and compost. Thanks! Keep them coming!

[halbrindley]

glad it was helpful! hope your worms live long and prosper! -hal

[padmeboo]

Thanks for the great info and entertaining video. I'm going to make one this weekend.

[kyronepee]

u people deserve more veiws

[1ChevyGuy375]

Thanks guys, this was helpful and very entertaining! I hope you make more videos!

[DanielleDeception]

altho her compost doesn't smell I don't recommend doing a large compost inside (I mean she looks like she has a bin thats meant to be inside) but they do smell, BUT YOU SHOULD STILL HAVE ONE CUZ THEY'RE AWESOME

[halbrindley]

Hi Danielle,

If your bin is too stinky then there is probably something a little out of whack (generally too wet). I'm staying at Leigh's house and he keeps two worm bins in the spare bed room. (One of them is the one we built in this video, still going strong!) I've been sleeping in this room for over a week and haven't smelled a thing!

[MADALLOVER]

Love it! Very informative and entertaining too!

[RightBrainSane]

it must be working cause now we are globally cooling

[WoundedEgo]

"Harold." Hah!

"I love my micro-organisms!" Hee hee!

Cardboard is supposed to work better than paper, but you can get shredded paper from an attorney's office.

[menderfire9]

Just too too good! Keep em' coming. Then invite me for a nice organic dinner.

[nat4design]

Great video! Informative and entertaining!

[maisuccess]

Great Video! I was very informational and funny. But I do i harvest the compost without getting the worms mixed in?

[nat4design]

I solve this by adding another bin. The first is the "working bin" (where the food and the worms are) the second is the "Composting bin" (I usually leave it there until there are no worms or food there) and the bottom one is where the tea is. Hope this is helpful.

[eskim4]

Also, my 4 year old loves the worms

[eskim4]

How many red wiggler make about lb.  I just started w/ 50 worms., butI think I might be short.. FYI.. I got my woms at a local pet store.

[halbrindley]

I've heard that there are a thousand worms in a pound! sounds like an over estimate to me but that's what I was told!

If you have 50 worms I would give them time to start reproducing before putting too much food in. But definitely keep some food in there!

thanks for watching!

-hal

[007Jerusalem]

Very helpful with excellent show and explanation ! Thanks

[pugal74]

Very nice, funny and informational video.

Keep up the good work.

Pugal

[sam88548]

thats  funny nice vid

[amydanchloemolly]

thanks was really funny!

[emersoneee2008]

lol funny shit...tahnks

[MapleStory272]

what if u can find worms easily like u need to find them in your front lawn and you don't know where to find them? whats the best way to find them?

[halbrindley]

not all species live comfortably in a worm bin environment. For example, the earth worms that you commonly find in your lawn like to burrow much deeper than your bin will allow. Look on worm composting websites for suggestions of species that work well!