March 2013
Euros vs Reds – 03-28-13
I decided to check up on the “Euros vs Reds” bin today. My main aim was to absolutely make sure I could find all the adult worms I had added (as you may recall, I wasn’t able to find all the Red Worms when I last checked). But I also wanted to get a feel for the approximate number of cocoons (and juvs, if any) present as well.
Unfortunately, I had it in my head that I was looking for 6 Red Worms and 6 Euros – so as you can probably imagine, I ended feeling pretty concerned when I was only able to find 3 of each!
DOH!! (yep, it was only 3 of each that had been added in the first place! lol)
What’s interesting is that (more…)
**Want Even More Fun With Worms? Sign Up for the RWC E-mail List Today!**The Beast – 03-26-13
I’ve been having a lot more fun with the VB48 ever since eliminating the pressure of having to weigh everything going in. Not too surprisingly, a lot more food etc has been added as a result!
I’ve actually been really blown away by how quickly materials are getting processed in there (the irony is that it kinda makes me want to start weighing everything again! LOL).
Aside from lots of food wastes, I’ve also been playing with various other “foods” as well, such as (more…)
Strictly Cow Manure
An interesting question from Tom:
Bentley,
I was wondering about something I saw. At a friends rural property I
saw that it was frequented by “scrub cattle”. Since their manure piles
quickly become gray I had an idea. Could a person start a bin with
virtually all aged manure piles and only add more when they have been
devoured? My thinking is that since castings are black and this manure
is gray knowing when to add more would be rather simple. Color coded
vermicomposting. I could start at the botom of a bin and just keep
adding until I run out of room. I’m wondering if any bedding would
even be required.Just keep it moist. Thanks.
Tom
Hi Tom,
Using solely aged manure as a food/bedding can certainly be a viable option. In fact, if there was ever an “ultimate” food (and habitat) for worms, this would be it. This assumes, of course, that (more…)
John W’s Rotating Screen Harvester
What is it with people named “John” and their harvesters?! (see also “John’s Passive Worm Harvester” and “John’s Homemade Worm Harvester“)
😆
Regular RWC reader and discussion participant, John White, recently told me about the success he was having with his new DIY vermicompost/worm screener. This nifty piece of equipment (shown above) is based on the “Low Cost Homebuilt Worm Casting Harvester” design (freely) available on the Washington State University website.
Here is what he wrote (more…)
Worm Inn Journal – 03-21-13
What better day than the first day of spring (not that it looks like it outside!) for the arrival of my colorful NEW Worm Inn!
Apart from the time it took to track down ONE missing corner piece for my stand (isn’t that just always the way it goes?! lol), I had everything set-up in minutes.
Now…if only I could think of a fun vermi-project to get started!
Hmmmm…
😉
Keep the ideas coming folks (let’s say two ideas max per person)! I’ll more than likely be selecting a winner sometime early next week.
Crazy Q&A Podcasts – Session #11
Today’s Topics
– Hot Texas temperature tactics.
– Introducing foreign critters via leaves
– Feeding worms spicy hot peppers
– Special care for newborn worms?
– Keeping a worm bin in an unheated garage.
– Setting up a “set it and forget it” (4 to 6 mo) bin.
– More on maggots in vermicomposting systems.
– Diluted urine as worm food additive?
– Is there such a thing as “too many air holes”?
Hope you enjoy it!
😎
The Worm Inn Project Challenge
“Well what is it, Bentley – a project, or a challenge???!”
😆
As mentioned in a recent newsletter, I have plans to set up a brand new Worm Inn and resume my “Worm Inn Journal” series fairly soon (I can hear John W. cheering already! lol).
But I need some help from the RWC community. (more…)