Comments on: Rock Hard Worm Castings https://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/rock-hard-worm-castings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rock-hard-worm-castings WAY Too Much Fun With Worms! Tue, 11 May 2010 14:19:38 +0000 hourly 1 By: Bentley https://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/rock-hard-worm-castings/comment-page-1/#comment-25285 Tue, 11 May 2010 14:19:38 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=2404#comment-25285 In reply to Warren.

Hi Warren,
This seems to be a personal preference, when it comes down to it. I tend to fiddle with my beds a fair amount (use rakes etc to see what’s going on down below), but would never actually take the time to completely turn the worms/bedding in any sort of systematic manner. If you notice things getting a bit compacted, definitely loosen it up with a hand rake, and add some more bulky bedding.
I think the worms will do ok either way (although I definitely WOULD leave them alone as much as possible if they’ve just arrived from being shipped), but i just don’t see the need to actually turn everything.

]]> By: Warren https://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/rock-hard-worm-castings/comment-page-1/#comment-25274 Tue, 11 May 2010 00:40:32 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=2404#comment-25274 Hello,

I am fairly new to the worm business and have been following this blog for a few months. My boys (ages 12 and 10) have joined me as well and we are having a great time. One question I have is regarding the frequency of turning the worms and their bedding. In the book “The Worm Cafe” they turn the worms weekly and indicate that they eat more and produce more castings because of it. On the other hand I have seen others on the web say that worms like to be left alone and should not be disturbed as often. What do you think?

]]> By: Dennis Copson https://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/rock-hard-worm-castings/comment-page-1/#comment-25075 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:06:04 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=2404#comment-25075 I suspect part of the problem is the food you are feeding the worms. We produce tons of castings for commercial use/sale and have never had this problem. Be aware of the amount of water and the type of food you use. Perhaps try some composted horse/cow manure as food.

We screen our castings with a tumbler type of device which separates the castings from any remaining compost food that was not eaten. The casting are granular in nature and not lumpy at all.

Hope this helps.

Dennis Copson, Nature’s Big Bud Worm Castings

]]> By: Alyssa https://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/rock-hard-worm-castings/comment-page-1/#comment-25072 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:17:22 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=2404#comment-25072 Haha! I had the same question. My vermicompost from last fall turned to little rock hard balls over the winter, and now that I’m ready to use it, I have no idea what to do. I have another bin that’s ready to age – so I want to make sure not to make the same mistake again. I hope stirring it as it dries does help!

For what to do with my new little rocks… After soaking for a few hours (still mostly rock hard – I even cut one with a knife and it was as dry as a malted milk ball in the middle), I then stirred a cup through a sieve. Took forever considering the amount, however I did end up with enough beautifully crumbly moist compost to make a container’s worth of potting soil.

Any other ideas? I’m thinking these may just end up in the garden…

]]>