Worm Inn Journal-02-23-10

Recorded a new video today, after noticing that the level in the system has dropped significantly.

A couple of important take away msgs:

1) I am NOT suggesting that anyone should attempt to overfeed a worm composting system like this – ESPECIALLY not if you are using an enclosed “Rubbermaid” type of system. This is just me having fun with one of my systems – keep in mind that I have a decade of worm composting experience and that this is one of my major passions in life – the last thing I would want to do is lead a vermicomposting newbie astray! Be sure to check out my “Getting Started” page if you are fairly new to the hobby.

2) I am NOT suggesting that plastic worm bins are “bad” – not by a long shot! They are great systems, especially when you are just starting out. They are very easy to set up and don’t cost much money. With proper aeration (be sure to check out my “Mini” Bin to see how this can be improved) and/or drainage you can probably process a fair amount of wastes in a medium to large bin system. I still use enclosed bins myself (mainly for experiments though), but have switched over to using a lot of open system (even a simple plastic tub without a lid works well).

8)

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Comments

  1. One thing I’ve been trying to figure out, what’s the functional difference between “overfeeding” your worms (which is frequently warned against) and holding your food scraps in a separate bin to “age”?

    If you give the worms more than they can eat, doesn’t it just age in the bin?

    • Jennifer S
    • February 25, 2010

    Bentley, you are killing me. Do I want a Worm Inn, so I can have stealth worms in the house, or do I want a biopod so I can keep up with my food waste?

    Hubby doesn’t like the fruit flies in the Can O’ Worms, so they live outside. He might not recognize the Worm Inn as more insanity from me.

    • Bentley
    • February 26, 2010

    KEVIN – “Overfeeding” completely depends on the system being used. If a larger system (with more buffer zone), or a system with much greater aeration (such as the Worm Inn) is used the likelihood of ever reaching an “overfeeding” state are greatly reduced (but it’s certainly still possible). In those cases, because the rotting process isn’t going to harm the worms, you can indeed basically let the materials age in the worm system. The problem with smaller and/or enclosed plastic systems is that any concentration of food waste can become a wet anaerobic mess, and potentially release toxic compounds (ammonia, alcohols etc). Without the aeration and/or adequate drainage these can prove to be deadly for the worms.
    ————————-
    JENNIFER – Stealth worms? Do you use that term because I have a camo pattern on my Worm Inn? haha Or are you saying that since it doesn’t look like a recognizable worm composting system, that your hubby might not give you a hard time about it?
    I think it could be a great system for you – just make sure to be a LOT more responsible with it than I have been in these videos. Less food, more processing (to make more microbe/worm friendly), more burial, more bedding!
    🙂

    • Tanya
    • September 6, 2010

    Does tea not leak out of the bottom of the worm inn?

    • Bentley
    • September 8, 2010

    Hi Tanya – it’s not really “tea”, but yes there can be some leakage, especially when you are actually watering the system. I recommend keeping some sort of bin or bucket underneath.

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