Comments on: Vermicomposting Trays http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/ Red Wiggler Worms, European Nightcrawlers and loads of helpful Worm Composting Information Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:46:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Betsy http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/comment-page-1/#comment-32586 Betsy Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:49:49 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=241#comment-32586 Not sure if this thread is still active, but wanted to add that I am using two of these trays now- emptied my WF tower in one and a rubbermaid bin into the other. I cover them lightly with cardboard, and then with a lid from the rubbermaid tub, fitted loosely for air. Had to put some shredded paper on one to keep the worms in, but they both are doing extremely well. Worms are breeding and eating. Haven't had to add food other than coffee grounds once in a while, the existing vermicompost still had plenty of 'stuff' in it. If we get a freeze I will put a tarp over them. My plan is to take worms out and put them in my raised garden beds, for the winter and let the cocoons hatch as they will. Not sure if this thread is still active, but wanted to add that I am using two of these trays now- emptied my WF tower in one and a rubbermaid bin into the other. I cover them lightly with cardboard, and then with a lid from the rubbermaid tub, fitted loosely for air. Had to put some shredded paper on one to keep the worms in, but they both are doing extremely well. Worms are breeding and eating. Haven’t had to add food other than coffee grounds once in a while, the existing vermicompost still had plenty of ‘stuff’ in it. If we get a freeze I will put a tarp over them. My plan is to take worms out and put them in my raised garden beds, for the winter and let the cocoons hatch as they will.

]]> By: Brian http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/comment-page-1/#comment-24238 Brian Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:27:30 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=241#comment-24238 It only freezes a night or two per year. However, temps do rise into the 90's in the summer. I have a good four months to experiment before it gets really hot. Maybe this approach will only work for Fall and Spring, but it should help me build my worm population. It only freezes a night or two per year. However, temps do rise into the 90′s in the summer. I have a good four months to experiment before it gets really hot. Maybe this approach will only work for Fall and Spring, but it should help me build my worm population.

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/comment-page-1/#comment-24231 Bentley Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:00:09 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=241#comment-24231 Hi Brian, That sounds like a good idea - my only concern would be extreme weather conditions. A system like that (assuming fairly shallow) would more than like overheat and freeze quite easily in the summer and winter, respectively. If you are lucky enough to live in a location with fairly moderate weather all year long you should be totally fine. 8) Hi Brian,
That sounds like a good idea – my only concern would be extreme weather conditions. A system like that (assuming fairly shallow) would more than like overheat and freeze quite easily in the summer and winter, respectively. If you are lucky enough to live in a location with fairly moderate weather all year long you should be totally fine. 8)

]]> By: Brian http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/comment-page-1/#comment-24217 Brian Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:33:02 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=241#comment-24217 I'm experimenting with a 2 x 3 plastic tray like this one. I buried it about 6 inches in my garden and then covered it with a plywood lid. I don't know if this will work well, but my wife doesn't want horse manure in the house and doesn't like the look of concrete blocks in the back yard. We'll see how it works out. I'll be looking for a piece of old carpet or burlap sack to help hold the moisture in. I’m experimenting with a 2 x 3 plastic tray like this one. I buried it about 6 inches in my garden and then covered it with a plywood lid. I don’t know if this will work well, but my wife doesn’t want horse manure in the house and doesn’t like the look of concrete blocks in the back yard. We’ll see how it works out. I’ll be looking for a piece of old carpet or burlap sack to help hold the moisture in.

]]> By: Mike from Delaware http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/comment-page-1/#comment-23926 Mike from Delaware Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:07:58 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=241#comment-23926 It may be too late to add a comment but here goes. I used these "mortar trays" successfully before transitioning to OSCR bins. I had some old ugly carpeting around and cut strips of it to cover the trays. it kept the worms in and still allowed good air flow. I think that landscape fabric might also work and may actually be better since it's generally thinner than carpet. These trays hold a LOT more than they appear to hold. In addition, I had an extra black plastic shelving system that was just used to store junk. I cleaned off a couple of shelves and put two worm trays per shelf. It was amazing how many worms could be in a 8 sq ft area when stacked up. It also made for easier work not having to lift all the containers as high. I saw the trays the Morgan family uses in their environmentally controlled room. Does anyone know what the "food balls" are made of. The son was shown in one video braking up food balls and gobs of worms appeared. I'd love to know what they use. It may be too late to add a comment but here goes. I used these “mortar trays” successfully before transitioning to OSCR bins. I had some old ugly carpeting around and cut strips of it to cover the trays. it kept the worms in and still allowed good air flow. I think that landscape fabric might also work and may actually be better since it’s generally thinner than carpet. These trays hold a LOT more than they appear to hold.

In addition, I had an extra black plastic shelving system that was just used to store junk. I cleaned off a couple of shelves and put two worm trays per shelf. It was amazing how many worms could be in a 8 sq ft area when stacked up. It also made for easier work not having to lift all the containers as high.

I saw the trays the Morgan family uses in their environmentally controlled room. Does anyone know what the “food balls” are made of. The son was shown in one video braking up food balls and gobs of worms appeared. I’d love to know what they use.

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/comment-page-1/#comment-22735 Bentley Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:13:04 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=241#comment-22735 Hi Mark, I do not use lids at all. I should mention that I DO however keep a couple of fluorescent lights on at all times in my basement 'worm room'. It can be interesting during blackouts (haha) - the worms often come up and start crawling on the surface. I've never tested to see how many will actually try to escape if the lights are left off indefinitely though. A thick layer of dry absorbent bedding may be helpful in terms of keeping the worms down but I have not tested this out (with open systems) myself. Hi Mark,
I do not use lids at all. I should mention that I DO however keep a couple of fluorescent lights on at all times in my basement ‘worm room’. It can be interesting during blackouts (haha) – the worms often come up and start crawling on the surface. I’ve never tested to see how many will actually try to escape if the lights are left off indefinitely though.
A thick layer of dry absorbent bedding may be helpful in terms of keeping the worms down but I have not tested this out (with open systems) myself.

]]> By: Mark http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/comment-page-1/#comment-22676 Mark Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:23:18 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=241#comment-22676 Hi Bentley, trying this idea out also. I'll be interested to see how it goes. I've got some nice trays set up with shredded cardboard and I have added some worms. Seems like a great way to keep worms! I am also a bit worried about escapes. Would you cover the trays with something? I know some people recommend black plastic, but doesn't that stop the air flow? I tend to use a sheet of cardboard. mark Hi Bentley, trying this idea out also. I’ll be interested to see how it goes. I’ve got some nice trays set up with shredded cardboard and I have added some worms. Seems like a great way to keep worms! I am also a bit worried about escapes. Would you cover the trays with something? I know some people recommend black plastic, but doesn’t that stop the air flow? I tend to use a sheet of cardboard.
mark

]]> By: Brian http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/comment-page-1/#comment-21605 Brian Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:53:49 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=241#comment-21605 The Morgan family from Michigan uses these trays stacked in vertical frames to grow millions and millions of worms. When used correctly these worms will really produce. Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U27Aizi64Wg The Morgan family from Michigan uses these trays stacked in vertical frames to grow millions and millions of worms. When used correctly these worms will really produce.

Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U27Aizi64Wg

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/comment-page-1/#comment-20530 Bentley Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:38:48 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=241#comment-20530 Hi Bill, Red worms should be able to survive on paper and cardboard only, but they may be pretty stunted in terms of size - unless that cardboard/paper happens to be soaked in some sort of rich liquid (contain nitrogen etc). The time from mating to maturity can vary WIDELY. Please refer to the following post to see what I mean: http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/starting-a-worm-farming-business/ B Hi Bill,
Red worms should be able to survive on paper and cardboard only, but they may be pretty stunted in terms of size – unless that cardboard/paper happens to be soaked in some sort of rich liquid (contain nitrogen etc).

The time from mating to maturity can vary WIDELY. Please refer to the following post to see what I mean:
http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/starting-a-worm-farming-business/

B

]]> By: Bill Hartlin http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/vermicomposting-trays/comment-page-1/#comment-20360 Bill Hartlin Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:55:56 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=241#comment-20360 Gd Day: Two I say 2 questions. Will red worms survive on paper & cardboard only? & From mating to a mature worm, how long does it take? Bill Gd Day:

Two I say 2 questions.

Will red worms survive on paper & cardboard only? &

From mating to a mature worm, how long does it take?

Bill

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