Anatomy of a Worm Composting Bin

Minimal size for a conventional composting bin is 3' x 3' x 3'. This is a size that is managable for handling by hand and for building up composting heat. It 's important for you to understand that the bacterial action going on in the pile is what is causing the heat.

When you combine Carbon + Nitrogen + Water + Air you provide the perfect environment for massive bacteria growth which is consuming (composting) the material in your bin. Once your conventional compost pile heats up and then cools, you turn the material in the bin to move fresh material to the center of the bin mixing air back into the mix, and composting begins again and the heat in the bin builds again.

When worm bin composting you want to be very careful that you do not get the heat you produce in a conventional composting bin.

1. When you mix materials for a new bin always allow the material to sit before you add your worms to make sure you have not created a haven for massive bacteria action. HEAT!

2. Once you know the material is not going to heat up, separate out some of the bedding into another container and add only a small portion of your worms to make sure the bedding is safe and the worms will like it.

3. As soon as you suspect a problem, if you can feel heat, it smells bad, and or your worms are trying to escape IN MASS, get them out. If you are not sure of your bedding, use wet, shredded newspaper. Keep a supply handy at all times.

4. If you have a bin that has been active for a while and you develope a problem, there is a possibility that you have cocoons in the bedding and you loose your worms, don't throw away your bedding. Leave it and you may have worms hatch once the bedding becomes habitable again.

Just remember, heat kills worms.

Good Luck,

Until next time.

Christy
Vermiculture Northwest

New Videos Awesome Quality

I just went back and watched my video that I have hosted on my server and I can't believe the quality. It just can't compare to YouTube. So I am happy and ready to get part 2 finished of The Various Stages of Vermicomposting. I forgot I had split the video into two parts because I had originally planned on putting it up on YouTube and then I couldn't.

So anyway, keep an eye out for notification that part 2 has been uploaded. It will be soon.

Until then,

Happy Worming.

Christy
VermiCulture Northwest

Mini Worm Bins

How small is too small?

First let me say, the bigger the worm bin the more forgiving it is when something goes wrong. But still, there is much to be desired with a smaller bin.

Obviously they are going to take less time to care for, but I think my most favorite aspect of a smaller bin is how close you can get to the worms.

I have mentioned before that I have been using smaller bins to hold my worms while they wait for shipment. This has worked out pretty good. I am enjoying being up close with my worms and getting a good, daily look at what they are doing. I have to admit that often time my bigger bins are really neglected. But as I said, the bigger bins are more forgiving.

I missed getting into my smaller bins one night and the next day the bedding had gotten all soggy and stinky. Amazing, overnight the environment in the bin had turned and all the worms were all around the edge of the bin. They were easy to harvest out but the material in the bin was trash.

Anyway, I have a little video I put together. I'm just starting with the videos and will be producing a series to show how to set up a worm bin and manage it. It will be like a worm bin video blog. Sounds like fun. There is a form available for you if you want to be notified when I upload a new video, I can do that for you. Provide your address and birthdate (no year) and I will be able to send you a little surprise.

So, here's the video for now:

Worm composting in smaller mini worm bins
Uploaded by cruffner93154

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Hope you're having a great holiday season.

Happy New Year!

Christy

VermiCulture Northwest