Comments on: Better Castings, Faster?

By: Bentley

Bentley — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:52:24 +0000

Hey Johnny – sorry I am only seeing this so long after you posted it, but I would absolutely be interested in learning more about your activities. The raising worms with lactobacillus serum in particular sounds intriguing. I will contact you directly about this. Thanks! 😎

By: Johnny Bokashi

Johnny Bokashi — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 10:18:24 +0000

Bently, Thanks for all the information and taking the time to share it.
I’ve been raising worms and lactobacillus-serum for a couple years now.
I’ve tried different systems for both ventures with varying degrees of success. I’m looking to scale up my production.
Combining vermicomposting with bokashi and soil sterilization to transform a half acre of noxious invasive weeds and a large pile of clay into raised garden bed soil.
If your interested I can give you occasional progress reports.
Thanks Again,
Johnny Bokashi

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 20:04:27 +0000

I was just reading a Cornel University study page and it was saying not to feed your worms watermelon rinds and banana peels due to toxic chemicals. I feed my worms both at different times but haven’t noticed any ill effects other than a complete orgy of worms devouring the stuff. Just wondering if you have had any problems using this feed for your worms. I also use a cornmeal, wheat bran, oats, malted barley , used coffee grounds crushed eggshell meal every feeding when I add the melon or banana waste. Thanks Dan

By: Bentley

Bentley — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 10:46:40 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Les! Funny – I’ve done something similar this fall. I found an old bag of an organic fertilizer and used it as a supplement in a large number of indoor bins I was setting up. I agree, both in terms of not going too crazy with it – and in terms of the potential for boosting the potency of the vermicompost.

By: Les

Les — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 02:52:02 +0000

I “supercharge my small, indoor bins by adding organic plant fertilizer mix to the feed. I buy 36 pound bags to use in my raised beds. I take a small amount, mix well with water and add the paste with other food. The fertilizer is composed of chicken yard waste, bone meal, feather meal, kelp, bat guano, etc. I’m careful not to add to much but I’ve no doubt it gives a boost to the nutritional value!

By: Maynard Olsen

Maynard Olsen — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 19:47:54 +0000

We often here about feeding 1/2 cup of food per pound of worms, but that must differ if one is feeding worm chow, manure, lettuce, table scraps,alfalfa, etc.

By: Bentley

Bentley — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 16:17:12 +0000

Haha – thanks, Mary! It’s been so nice having you follow-along for many years now. Not sure the honorary PhD is in the cards, but I appreciate the sentiments. Feels good to know I’ve helped more people get educated (and hopefully excited about) worm composting!
😎

By: Mary Green

Mary Green — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 00:10:30 +0000

You’re amazing, Bentley! I’ve adored your website for so many years — you so willingly share such terrific information with everybody. When I teach vermicomposting at public forums, I always provide them with your website and tell them that you’re the one who taught me everything I know.

I was just now thinking…..I’ll bet that there are universities out there that would be proud to give you a Ph.D. using your website as the bulk of your doctoral thesis. It’s been fascinating for me to be made aware, by you, of some of the subtle and not-so-subtle changes to vermiculture over the past 20 years. YOU are responsible for finding & sharing so much of the bottom line about our precious worms!

Truly, Bentley — you’re the bomb!

Mary from New Mexico

By: John

John — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 05:25:27 +0000

Nice job Bentley, super good info.

By: Bentley

Bentley — Tue, 15 May 2018 17:14:15 +0000

Colin – Funny add-on to what I said. When I was going through my notes from the exchanges with Tom Herlihy (to find what he said about castings storage) I came across his views on curing as well. He actually feels that the product is “finished” as soon as it is harvested (as long as the process is very well managed). I suspect he would recommend screening out the unprocessed stuff though! 😉