http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/keeping-red-worms-outside/ Red Wiggler Worms, European Nightcrawlers and loads of helpful Worm Composting Information Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:17:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/keeping-red-worms-outside/comment-page-1/#comment-22274 Bentley Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:22:24 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=375#comment-22274 Hi Lisa, I previously thought that Red Worms in an uninsulated composter would indeed perish once winter hits (I think our winter is quite a bit more severe than yours, based on your description though). I don't think that is necessarily the case however. I had Red Worms in one of my backyard composters one winter, and found loads of them still there in the spring. I think as long as it doesn't come too quickly, or get too severe, the worms can go down to where it never freezes solid. Don't expect your bin to necessarily stay active all winter though. You might think about putting some straw bales or a heap of leaves around it once the cold weather hits if you would like to extend your composting season. Hi Lisa,
I previously thought that Red Worms in an uninsulated composter would indeed perish once winter hits (I think our winter is quite a bit more severe than yours, based on your description though). I don’t think that is necessarily the case however. I had Red Worms in one of my backyard composters one winter, and found loads of them still there in the spring. I think as long as it doesn’t come too quickly, or get too severe, the worms can go down to where it never freezes solid.
Don’t expect your bin to necessarily stay active all winter though. You might think about putting some straw bales or a heap of leaves around it once the cold weather hits if you would like to extend your composting season.

]]> http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/keeping-red-worms-outside/comment-page-1/#comment-22266 Lisa Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:44:21 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=375#comment-22266 I live in Minneapolis where it gets below zero for several weeks each winter, sometimes an entire month. Will red worms die in these conditions if they are in a compost bin? Currently my compost bin is outside near my garden and is full of plant and food waste; I'm hoping to get worms to speed up the composition. Would you recommend it? Thanks! Lisa I live in Minneapolis where it gets below zero for several weeks each winter, sometimes an entire month. Will red worms die in these conditions if they are in a compost bin? Currently my compost bin is outside near my garden and is full of plant and food waste; I’m hoping to get worms to speed up the composition. Would you recommend it?
Thanks!
Lisa

]]>