This seems to be “worm bin set-up week” here at Red Worm Composting! Yesterday I set up my Worm Factory 360 system. Today I finished off the set-up of the WF-360 (see “Worm Factory 360 – Important Follow-Up“) and then, later in the day, set up my Worm Inn!
Since my cat chewed off my drawstrings at the bottom the last time I had the Worm Inn set-up, this time around I am simply using a thick elastic band to keep the opening constricted. Should work just fine!
My first step in the set-up process (as always with a Worm Inn) was to create a “false bottom” of shredded cardboard. This provides a dry, absorbent area at the bottom that serves to catch excess moisture dripping down, and also provides a buffer zone between the composting mass and the bottom drainage hole.
Next I added in a bunch more shredded cardboard to serve as bedding in the worm zone, before…
…adding quite a bit of food waste. Unlike the Worm Factory 360 this is a single compartment flow-through system, so you can start off with more material. The aeration is also very good so I’m not too concerned. As you can see, I didn’t really do all that much in the way of chopping/shredding etc. This bag of waste has been sitting around for quite some time so I didn’t really want to get goo and rot all over my hands (haha) – plus I’m just generally taking a laid back approach since I’m not starting with a huge quantity of worms.
I then added some of my trusty rock dust and mixed everything up while spraying it down thoroughly with my spray bottle.
I used the same worm stocking approach as with the Worm Factory 360 – I basically just added worm-rich material from another system. I mixed this in with the rest of the composting zone materials then thoroughly watered everything (used my entire spray bottle).
Lastly, I topped everything off with a fairly thick layer of shredded newsprint (first layer was actually moistened – but rest of it was left dry). This will hopefully help to keep in some of the moisture.
That’s basically it. As is the case with the WF-360 system, now I’ll simply let everything sit and mellow out for awhile (at least a week). Will keep everyone posted!
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How is the rock dust working out for you? My wormies absolutely love crushed egg shells.My Euros are getting so fat that I might have to put them on a “diet”. They are almost as big as the nightcrawlers in my yard! Have a great weekend!
The Worm Inn is a great concept- I have two going right now and much prefer them to the plastic towers. The only issue is that they get heavy. I didn’t glue the stand together, but you almost have to, to keep them from falling over. My dog leaned up against one and it all fell down. Fortunately the worms and contents were fine!
Hi John,
Unfortunately I really haven’t been paying enough attention to know for sure what sort of effect the rock dust has been having. I really need to do some trials comparing systems WITH rock dust to systems not receiving it.
I’m glad to know that your Euros are doing well!
Hi Betsy – you make a good point! I was actually thinking about that as I set up my stand again yesterday. I may get myself some epoxy or contact cement and glue the joints on mine before it gets too heavy. It’s really nice being able to dismantle it and store when not in use though. Hmmm…
LOL! Us Plumbers call that dry fitting.I’d have to glue it since i’d keep thinking there was water going to be passing through it.Saw more than a few floods over the years from Plumbers getting sidetracked by cell phones,etc.Best one was when a box in the garage got wet and tipped over with a lamp on top,and dented the customers custom motorcycle gas tank.It was still one of a kind though!LOL!
Hey bently i have a new email bently.
By the way i am very happy to see you doing another worm inn experiment can’t wait to see what you plan on doing!
BTW have you got snow yet? I do its lame. 🙁
Great timing I just set up my new worm inn 11/6/11. I’ve been devouring your info for the last month as I had my first plastic bin going.
When I set up my bin and looked back at your page with worms in hand I think that I have euros rather than red worms. Did your euro worm inn ever come to anything or did you give up on it?
Thanks