Comments on: Wooden Stacking Bin-08-06-10

By: Kator

Kator — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:25:04 +0000

Hey Bentley – Looking forward to your project progress reports. Wigglers wired on caffeine .. interesting experiment 🙂

By: Chuck Haynes

Chuck Haynes — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:09:25 +0000

Thanks for the clarification. Check out my idea of a Continuous Flow wooden bin system. http://cascadeworms.com/store/wood-worm-bins/ . I would love to know what you think if it.

By: Bentley

Bentley — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:22:45 +0000

CHUCK – I guess it depends on your specific definition of flow through (aka “continuous flow”). Yes you do need to remove trays from the stack in order to harvest, but (in theory) there is little else you need to do apart from dumping out the vermicompost. This is definitely not the same as a static rubbermaid type of system, since the worms should continue to follow the newer waste materials in an upwards direction (hence the “flow” component).
In my mind, a flow through system is an system that involves the worms moving away from their waste materials towards food materials in a systematic manner that allows for easier harvesting of vermicompost.
Again, I’m not saying I am a huge fan of stacking systems by any means, but I’m still stickin to my guns on the label!
😉
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TRACY – Generally, you need something very hard and essentially inorganic for aiding the grinding of materials in a worm gizzard. So, tiny stone fragments etc (which can be found in a pinch of garden soil) are what you are looking for there. Grounds are an organic material that aren’t likely hard enough to assist with grinding.
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DON – I wouldn’t say that the material was “sopping wet” by any means, but in my outdoor beds (which drain into the ground) I do aim to keep things as moist as I can (can be somewhat challenging during heat of summer though). Worms LOVE it wet – as long as it remains oxygenated.

By: Don

Don — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:23:25 +0000

Bently,
looking at your straw/worms picture,[from one of my productive outdoor beds] it appears fairly moist. Do you keep your outdoor bins with this type of material pretty sopping wet?

By: Tracy M

Tracy M — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 07:14:55 +0000

Bentley, do you think the coffee grounds might be used like egg shells in their tummies?

By: Chuck Haynes

Chuck Haynes — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:34:11 +0000

Bentley,
An interesting bin but I don’t see how it is a flow through. Can you remove the material without unstacking it?