So it took a bit, but finally have the compost bins in the yard set up to try this endeavor and recently absconded with a few neighborhood leaf-filled trash bags to help offset the massive amount of pine in these bins. I have some compost starter (organic, microbial based) to give it all a boost. I plan on mixing the above together and letting it work its magic as the temps heat up and BEFORE adding any worms.

Now – I’ve read the Euros are more hardy in slightly questionable conditions. I’m already ordering some reds for my first inside bin (just a regular tray starter until I get the hang of things) and was planning on putting any population explosion out in the yard, but should I, given the nature of pine litter and pine straw, add some Euros to the mix?

I was raising Red Worms for really only for Fishing for Bluegills. I did quite well over the summer and fall. But, when the Winter Snows started to come in, I didn’t want the worms to Freeze sitting out in the Garage. So, the tub I had had 2 back wheels for easy moving. So, I wheeled it into one of my 3 bathrooms in my house. Really in the Laundry Room where it IS a bathroom, I just don’t use it. Anyways….During the time I was feeding the worms, I noticed one day that the bottom of the Lid was Totally Covered in W H I T E. I looked closer, and my eyes popped out of my head…I saw something MOVE…WOW…baby Reds? I would guess, there were at least 5 Million worms there. Is that what they were? Babies? Please let me know.
Thanks.
Stan DeJong
Stan’s Predator and Varmint Control
Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Hi Daryl,
I haven’t yet harvesting castings from my cat litter composting. The material in this particular bed will likely stay where it is or be moved a short distance to a bed of ornamental plants. A great way (in my opinion) to do this is to actually create the composting bed next to whatever plants you want to fertilize, so you don’t have to move it around at all.
I definitely don’t recommend using it for food plants.
Your approach would actually be the best way to deal with these wastes.

Do you ever harvest the worm casting form your cat litter pile? If so, what do you use them for? I want to try hot composting dog and cat waste to break it down some, then giving it to the worms…would this be a good way of handling it?

Hi Eve – I have two cats. It’s amazing how quickly this stuff piles up (I do let it stockpile in bags for quite some time before adding it). It is scoopable so I just dump the nuggets that get scooped out. Eventually I toss everything once the stuff in the trays is no longer useful (as cat litter).
You might be surprised by the heap you are able to build up over time even with just one cat!

I have just one cat and was wondering how big of a pile i would end up with if i started kitty litter composting.