Back in December of 2012, I wrote about adding a ripped up sheet to my VB48. Not surprisingly, I basically forgot about doing so…at least until quite recently.
Earlier this week I decided it was finally time to remove the last of the left-over material in the bottom of the VB48 (will be writing a separate post about that). As you may recall, I removed (and screened) most of the vermicompost from the system earlier in the spring – and have been putting it to good use out in the garden – but I ended up leaving the lowermost layer of compacted material intact.
While removing the material I came across a fuzzy mass with a tag attached. I have found some of these before – but was never sure what they were from, since I’ve added various cloths, and even some wool to the system as well.
Thanks to the tag, I know for sure that this was originally part of that sheet.
Gives a whole new meaning to the term “threadbare”! lol
No too surprisingly, the worms seem to like living in the fuzzy stuff. Reminds me of my experiments with “Natura Eco Cloths“.
This makes me want to set up a vermicomposting system with ripped up (cotton) clothing as bedding. I think it could work really well!
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I did an experiment when I started to raise worms back in 2007. I had a worm factory that I fed an old sock. In three months, all of the cotton from the sock was gone. Only left was the polyester.
I don’t know what chemicals are use in cotton or laundry detergent that will effect the worms.
I remember that post. I went and tossed in some old shirts into my worm inn after that. One of the only things i ever regretted putting in my worm inn. Its been over a year now, and I still have strands of fabric coming out. It all gets tangled and just a all around pain.
But that’s just my experience with cloth in a bin.
Interesting as I’ve thrown white cotton shirts in my bin and had them disappear without a trace within 6 months. Granted I tend to just keep adding more to the top so maybe they are still in there if I dig deeper.
That’s interesting, John! I have had a similar experience with T-shirts in the past as well.
Can’t wait for that next blog post Bently!
Any idea how many systems you have running at the moment?
I still remember “The crazy vermicomposting pants”. That is an image I won’t forget.
Dermy – TOO MANY!! lol – Seriously though, it all depends on your definition of “system”. I have lots of different beds outside (mostly integrated with my gardening projects). Inside, I currently have a Worm Inn Mega, a plastic bin system, and the VermBin48 (which isn’t really being used as an actual vermicomposting system, as explained in a recent post).
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Mark – great to see you popping by the blog! Hope all is well these days.
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What? You can never have too many Worm Systems! 😀