Vermicomposting Results: Barb Finnin Measures Us Up

We've been composting in our homemade worm bin for 5 months now. Through trials and tribulations, we've learned a lot about the right environment for worms! In fact we experimented so much, that we managed to decimate our entire worm population. *Sigh*. Master composter and Freshtopia diva, Barb Finnin, came by to see how our worm bin was doing after all this time. Thank goodness she was so encouraging! She helped us haul our semi-composted compost (and dead worm population) to our new backyard composting bins where it can still be useful. We also get a look at a Wriggly Wranch-a multi-layered worm bin that our neighbors purchased at a discount from our county waste management. Seems that if you can get the discount, the layered method is the way to go. We will try again using homemade methods, but this time we'll have a little bit more knowledge to keep our worms alive. Thanks Barb!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• compost
• composting
• vermicomposting
• worm
• bin
• worms
• dirt
• barbfinnin
• freshtopia
• wriggly
• wranch
• ryanishungry
• sanfrancisco

[Energyium]

i think the worms need more air

[RyanIsHungry]

yeah i think you're right! our next bin was way more successful....soon to be uploaded.

[dimension1NSL]

i think you put a little to much things in your bin

[sly2kusa]

I noticed when they set this up in the other videos that:

1. They used paper that had ink in it, and bleached paper as well, and

2. They didn't really start off with enough worms (you need about 1,000 to start in a bin the size they used).

[TweetyByrd6598]

A pound of worms for that size of bin would be good. And maybe a little too wet.

[ArizonaAdventures]

Seems like way to much material in the worm bin and lack of air like other have said. On another note, I'vebeen told by many gardeners that the liquid on the bottom bin of the worm composters is not actual "worm tea", but is rather called "leachate "and is of little value...any thoughts? Thanks!

[theroilsoil]

You did not provide enough air to your bin

via air holes along the top, sides and bottom of your bin.

As a result of not doing this, your worms essentially sufficated and died, part of what is in your bin is leftover decomposed worms.

Earthworms can live far beneath the surface, so the depth of your bin is not the issue.

[hay427]

My guesses would be to much food that causes to much wetness! I know from experience. :( Good luck next time though!! I did the same thing.. then I turned the old bin into a raised tomato bed!

[RyanIsHungry]

hey there

if the wood was pine, then yes, it was probably too acidic. i bet if you put just a little in it would be ok. how are your worms now?

[kwikflikz]

I used sawdust from softwood and found all the worms trying to escape within 24 hours through the air holes in the top...too much acidity maybe?

[takadi]

First time I started my worm bin, it got really wet. I learned that the food contains all the water you will ever need and will release it in timely amounts as it decomposes. Plenty of bedding and paper helps too, I find that you can never put too much paper as long as it's moist enough.

I started with lumbricus rubellus at first and the processing took a LONG time, but then I got some red wigglers and it took 10 days to process what the previous worms did in one month, lol

[takadi]

Craigslist, brilliant!!