Comments on: Preparation for Winter Worm Composting http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/ Red Wiggler Worms, European Nightcrawlers and loads of helpful Worm Composting Information Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:45:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-3227 Bentley Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:31:21 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-3227 Hi again, Graham! Those are good questions, especially considering how much I harp about keeping bin conditions aerobic! For starters, I aim to keep temperatures fairly low (in comparison to summer vermicomposting that is). If I can keep temps in the bin 10-15C (50-59F) all winter I will be thrilled!! So far everything has been proceeding beautifully. We've had some serious winter weather already yet conditions in the bin are perfect. Anyway - I got sidetracked there - haha! Lower temperatures means lower rates of respiration in the bin (thus less oxygen consumption). Obviously we need SOME O2 consumption however since that is what generates the warmth in the bin! I try to open up the bin at least every other day (although sometimes it goes longer), so that helps. Also, the bin itself is not sealed like a plastic tub - it is made of slats of wood with spaces in between. I imagine there is quite a lot of air that gets in from the top. As such, my compost does not smell (other than a nice earthy odour) BTW, you can read about my winter composting experiences on my compost guy blog: http://www.compostguy.com/category/winter-composting/ The most recent posts will appear first. B. Hi again, Graham!
Those are good questions, especially considering how much I harp about keeping bin conditions aerobic!

For starters, I aim to keep temperatures fairly low (in comparison to summer vermicomposting that is). If I can keep temps in the bin 10-15C (50-59F) all winter I will be thrilled!!

So far everything has been proceeding beautifully. We’ve had some serious winter weather already yet conditions in the bin are perfect.

Anyway - I got sidetracked there - haha! Lower temperatures means lower rates of respiration in the bin (thus less oxygen consumption). Obviously we need SOME O2 consumption however since that is what generates the warmth in the bin!
I try to open up the bin at least every other day (although sometimes it goes longer), so that helps. Also, the bin itself is not sealed like a plastic tub - it is made of slats of wood with spaces in between. I imagine there is quite a lot of air that gets in from the top. As such, my compost does not smell (other than a nice earthy odour)

BTW, you can read about my winter composting experiences on my compost guy blog:
http://www.compostguy.com/category/winter-composting/

The most recent posts will appear first.

B.

]]> By: GRAHAM http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-3226 GRAHAM Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:17:06 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-3226 HI THERE BENTLEY JUST READ YOUR ARTICLE ON WINTER COMPOST BIN. (1) WHAT DO YOU DO FOR AIR WITHIN THE MIX??? (2) IF THERE IS NO METHOD OF AIR CIRCULATION OR WHATEVER WOLD THE COMPOST SMELL??? I HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING WINTERIZING MY OWN COMPOST CAGE. HOW DOES IT SEEM TO BE WORKING FOR YOU SO FAR?? HI THERE BENTLEY
JUST READ YOUR ARTICLE ON WINTER COMPOST BIN.
(1) WHAT DO YOU DO FOR AIR WITHIN THE MIX???
(2) IF THERE IS NO METHOD OF AIR CIRCULATION OR WHATEVER WOLD THE COMPOST SMELL???
I HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING WINTERIZING MY OWN COMPOST CAGE. HOW DOES IT SEEM TO BE WORKING FOR YOU SO FAR??

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2629 Bentley Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:17:30 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2629 Great, J! We'll have to compare notes once the snow really starts to fly! :-) B. Great, J!
We’ll have to compare notes once the snow really starts to fly! :-)

B.

]]> By: J http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2627 J Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:51:25 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2627 Hey Bentley! I'm right with you trying to make a a comfy outdoor home over the winter. Thanks for the bird bath heater tip, I believe this will help me and my wormy pals feel much better. J Hey Bentley!
I’m right with you trying to make a a comfy outdoor home over the winter. Thanks for the bird bath heater tip, I believe this will help me and my wormy pals feel much better.
J

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2604 Bentley Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:55:36 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2604 Hi Nick, Your winter temps actually sound quite similar to ours. I'm in southern Ontario, so certainly warmer than some regions in Canada. I have not tried any sort of bulb myself, but I imagine it would provide a decent amount of warmth - the only question is how much your utility bill might be! Anyway, I'm almost finished insulating my outdoor bin - as mentioned, a video will be on the way shortly! B. Hi Nick,
Your winter temps actually sound quite similar to ours. I’m in southern Ontario, so certainly warmer than some regions in Canada.
I have not tried any sort of bulb myself, but I imagine it would provide a decent amount of warmth - the only question is how much your utility bill might be!

Anyway, I’m almost finished insulating my outdoor bin - as mentioned, a video will be on the way shortly!

B.

]]> By: Nick Halsey http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2602 Nick Halsey Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:51:26 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2602 I live in Denmark and although it is nowhere near as cold as some parts of Canada and the US, Temps can go down to -20 C, I thought about using a low wattage infra red bulb, the same kind that you use for young poultry to keep the temp. in the bin up on the coldest nights. has anybody tried this? Nick. I live in Denmark and although it is nowhere near as cold as some parts of Canada and the US, Temps can go down to -20 C, I thought about using a low wattage infra red bulb, the same kind that you use for young poultry to keep the temp. in the bin up on the coldest nights. has anybody tried this?

Nick.

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2406 Bentley Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:19:19 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2406 Hi Alison, It has been going well. The outer wall is now constructed. All I have to do is fill it with insulation. Will be putting together a video (containing lots of photos) all about it soon. B. Hi Alison,
It has been going well. The outer wall is now constructed. All I have to do is fill it with insulation. Will be putting together a video (containing lots of photos) all about it soon.

B.

]]> By: Alison http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2397 Alison Tue, 13 Nov 2007 02:45:44 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-2397 Hi Bentley, how is your outdoor bin going now? Has your winter started? Do you have any photos of your bin as you finished preparing it for winter? Thanks. Hi Bentley, how is your outdoor bin going now? Has your winter started? Do you have any photos of your bin as you finished preparing it for winter?
Thanks.

]]> By: Alison http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-1438 Alison Mon, 01 Oct 2007 07:44:20 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-1438 Great stuff Bentley, I will be really keen to hear how it goes. Great stuff Bentley, I will be really keen to hear how it goes.

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-1431 Bentley Mon, 01 Oct 2007 02:46:57 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/preparation-for-winter-worm-composting/#comment-1431 Thanks Kami, I did in fact make it (last summer). I am the furthest thing from a 'handy man' type so I was definitely impressed that I was able to build it without having it fall apart on me. haha Thanks Kami,
I did in fact make it (last summer). I am the furthest thing from a ‘handy man’ type so I was definitely impressed that I was able to build it without having it fall apart on me. haha

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