Vermicomposters Unite! Official Worm Farmers Thread

[Friendly_Grower]

BSF and red wiggles live in my same outdoor compost barrel.

Really?
Doesn't that .... OHHHHHHH Wait Earth Worms don't eat protein and Black Soldier Flies only eat Protein.
But Worms are protein. How does that work out?
I ask because I am considering an outside worm pile. I thought I would have to screen it in to protect from BSF.
Do you think there is a symbiotic relationship between the two waste products? BSF makes leachate by the gallon. They eat road kill. It stinks like death when they do.

 

[hillbill]

I just add scrapes and leaves outside and BSF have been constant and the wrigglers could have come from leaves or small bog garden. The worms live lower in more “done” compost, population fluctuates.
Black Soldiers are awesome in warmer months.

 

[Friendly_Grower]

I just add scrapes and leaves outside and BSF have been constant and the wrigglers could have come from leaves or small bog garden. The worms live lower in more “done” compost, population fluctuates.
Black Soldiers are awesome in warmer months.

They are hatching out of the compost here.
Did you know they have no mouth to eat with?
Only the Larvae can eat.

 

[raggyb]

So hey, should I save my egg shells to the side, dry and grind them for "Grit" for the worms?
I am reading that egg shells are for grit. is that still a valid point of "Worm-Farming?"

I read don't used boiled eggshells but I don't know why. Anybody know? Also read fry the shells in a dry pan I think to release the calcium faster.

 

[Friendly_Grower]

I read don't used boiled eggshells but I don't know why. Anybody know? Also read fry the shells in a dry pan I think to release the calcium faster.

The context I was making is to provide "grit" for the worms as they have no teeth. The grit will help them digest what they eat I believe.
I also read about Vermicomposters adding rock dusts to their feed. I think for the same purpose and for the benefit of adding rock dust to the vermicompost.

I think that is the reason. Add Grit for the worms to use.

As to egg shells. I also was wondering because I listened to a guy that talked about using vinegar to make calcium available fast and he mentioned egg shells. I assume he meant grind the dry shells into a fine powder first. Most likely pop them in the toaster oven for a bit to dry them out.
I was wondering about that with using Oyster Shell Flour and vinegar . Make that Oyster Shell pH neutral.

I Have been bubbling Guinea Pig Manure Tea and I added oyster shell flour to that. I checked pH and it was neutral after.

 

[raggyb]

The context I was making is to provide "grit" for the worms as they have no teeth. The grit will help them digest what they eat I believe.
I also read about Vermicomposters adding rock dusts to their feed. I think for the same purpose and for the benefit of adding rock dust to the vermicompost.

I think that is the reason. Add Grit for the worms to use.

As to egg shells. I also was wondering because I listened to a guy that talked about using vinegar to make calcium available fast and he mentioned egg shells. I assume he meant grind the dry shells into a fine powder first. Most likely pop them in the toaster oven for a bit to dry them out.
I was wondering about that with using Oyster Shell Flour and vinegar . Make that Oyster Shell pH neutral.

I Have been bubbling Guinea Pig Manure Tea and I added oyster shell flour to that. I checked pH and it was neutral after.

I think the grinded eggshell should give them the grit they need, but I haven't mentioned for a while that I have only killed my worms. unlucky with worms.

And since you cant believe everything on the internet, I don't know, I google boiling eggshells and got two opposite answers so far. One says the Ca ends up in the boiled water. I think it would be good to have source of Ca in your vermicompost if the worms don't absorb it all to grow their bones strong! But they dont have bones!

 

[Kushash]

You guys might like this thread.
Eggshell WCA (Water-Soluble Calcium) | Rollitup

 

[Friendly_Grower]

I found something on "Grit" for worms.

Worms have a gizzard like chickens so fine grit should be added to help the worms digest food. This gritty material includes cornmeal, coffee grounds and/or finely crushed egg shells (dry the shells and then crush). Avoid large amounts of fat, meat scraps or bone.

Cool! Coffee Grounds and Cornmeal make it easier than collecting and processing eggshells.

 

[hillbill]

Greensand, Azomite, Fine crushed Limestone and some fine sand used on this hill, coffee grounds too.

 

[Friendly_Grower]

Greensand, Azomite, Fine crushed Limestone and some fine sand used on this hill, coffee grounds too.

I have both Azomite and Greensand. Sand is something I saw on YouTube but thought better of adding to the worm-bin since it doesn't add any nutrients.
I worry that it would become toxic to the worm bin.
How do you apply Azomite and Greensand in your worm bin? A Little once in a while or no worry sprinkle a little when you feed?

 

[Kushash]

I freeze then thaw and blend fruits and vegetables with a TBL of azomite powder, a couple of handfuls of coco, a dash of dolomite, crushed dry cannabis leaves when available and sometimes a scoop of soil and a small layer of shredded cardboard.
I only needed to buy worms one time 3 years ago and the hardest part was dialing in the moisture level.
I have a worm farm 360 in my garage. Great for creating enough castings for top dressing but not enough for making large batches of soil. Temps hit the mid to low 40's in the winter and will top at 96 in the summer. For 3 years they have been able to handle the summer temp, I just slow down the feeding and monitor moisture.

I took this pic 2 years ago, not sure if centipedes were in the bin or if they entered the soil that I mix on a tarp in the garage. The 1st time I saw one in the soil it freaked me out. Eventually I learned to like them. There were noticeably less springtails in the pots that had the centipedes.

 

[Kushash]

I also add used coffee grounds and I'm definitely going to buy a bag of greensand.

 

[Friendly_Grower]

I understand that Greensand and Azomite take time to be available so I am all for pre-processing through vermicomposting.
I have read concerns from growers on possible toxic effects such as aluminum. Then Again~! I just looked up what my fingers were typing about and I don't see bad things!

Azomite is good for "feed" in animals and Greensand adds potassium So I don't see a negative in running it through Vermiculture. Vermiculture might benefit from a "spice grinder" to make Greensand more "fine" for vermicomposting.
I have been adding it to composting in the tumblers I have, but, this looks like a valid path for additional vectors. Fancy words for I can add more in different things for a good cause.

Greensand as a Source of Potassium for Green Plants
The effects of vermicompost and Azomite on growth parameters, biochemical traits and absorption of nutrients in summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.)

My concern is the "global" accumulation over time in recomposted-soil ( recycled with other virgin compostables) which is what I do. My theory is that I should dilute the old and super charge with the new. Also there is a thing called Humus. In a small way recycling with re-composting manually adds to the natural evolution of organic soil in my opinion. I welcome counter arguments.

Humus soil

Humus is the substance that is left over after plants and animals have undergone a long process of thorough decomposition done by earthworms, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms.

I welcome any counter arguments! However, it looks like win-win. I no longer have reservations on "spicing" the worm-food with a mix.

 

[Friendly_Grower]

I just looked up oyster shell as well.

People also ask
Is oyster shell good for worms?

Because worms have no teeth, they need to take in grit with their food. Rock dust or crushed oyster shells offer grit for their diet and can also help correct problems if you've added too much food to the bin.

So there is a fourth "grit" I can use.

I may try a mix of Azomite, Greensand powder, Cornmeal and powdered oyster shell.
I'm thinking of reusing one of those "Parmesan Cheese" containers to make a mix and keep it in the fridge for sprinkling on worm food. I will put a Dynamo Label on it "For Worms Only."

I do get a bit high from time to time.

EDIT:
Scratch the need for a grinder for the Greensand. I usurped one of my kitchen stainless steel "sifters" and I sifted the bag. There are plenty of Greensand fines.

So if you would, what do you think of four heaping tablespoons of Oyster shell, Greensand, Azomite and 3 cups of corn meal as the "Grit?"

I put that in a Coffee (Tin) plastic container and shook it up for the mix.
I figure that when I "feed" every two weeks or so I can lace the food scraps with a little smorgasbord of grits.
There will be coffee grounds from K-Cups also in the food-scraps so there is another "grit."

In this house everyone is fat and I need those Vermis' to be great little poopers and get fat and have all the babies they can!

How funny that these things make me Happy!

 

[hillbill]

I reuse my mixes at up to 60% used in my medium. Since I feed the worms grit that is high in minerals, I add much less raw micro amendments. When screen my castings, much of the grit goes through. ROLS used here over 10 years.

 

[Kushash]

I reuse my mixes at up to 60% used in my medium. Since I feed the worms grit that is high in minerals, I add much less raw micro amendments. When screen my castings, much of the grit goes through. ROLS used here over 10 years.

Did your soil become heavy over the years?
I re amended a soil for 6 years and it became very heavy.
I would add peat moss each time I amended it and I think that created a build up of Sulphur and I think that the sulphur created a need for high levels of dolomite lime to keep the PH up. The soil was working great till the final year and I ended up spreading it on the lawn.

Here is the soil test after amending it for 6 years.

 

[hillbill]

I maintain a lot of drainage in the mix but actually add mor peat and much more compost/ewc. The Perlite and NAPA 8822 don’t get “used up” during the grow. Any component that continues to compost will become more and more dense in itself.

 

[Friendly_Grower]

Wouldn't that be from the soil generating Humus?
The heavy part that is.
Since Humus is soil that is basically "totally finished" meaning the organic matter has broken down to create Humus, it might be very heavy.

Perhaps exporting some of the used soil when it gets heavy to keep a balance between organic materials that biological processes can work on and the Humus that is good in the pot for the plant is a must!

In a natural soil structure Humus would be many inches below the current organic materials level.
It's logical to then dilute recycled soils into new compost batches. By that I suggest that old soils be part of new composting batches.
That is what I'm doing. The Mantis Tumbler holds up to 88 gallons of material and I only add 15 gallons of soil from last winter's grow per batch. I have another 100 gallons of soil to go. That will be 7 batches of composting to go.
It's fine with me that I will be making excess organic soil. By next spring I hope to have the outdoor garden going. Top dressing and hole filling starter plants will be a good use of excess. Especially heavy Humus.

I wonder if worms like Humus?
Do either of you know?

 

[Friendly_Grower]

WARNING!

Be sure to buy Cornmeal that isn't self-rising. Baking Soda is bad for worms because of the salt.
Also just because it is cornmeal it isn't something to apply liberally in the worm bin. Not really worm food.
For Grit some Cornmeal, Some green-sand, some Azomite, some Oyster shell flour and some coffee grounds offer some grit.
Easy does it seems to be the best advice.

I will be using what I have mixed in the compost tumbler since I didn't realize I bought cornmeal with baking soda in it.
I realized that when I made Salmon Patties. They looked really professional all raised up like that. They tasted great and it was the best looking salmon patties I have seen but I'm a human and that much salt I can handle. The Vermis' can't especially over time and build-ups.
I'll be spreading that mix over a hundred gallons of materials so it will be okay. My Bad but we learn and move on.

My original recipe is four heaping tablespoons of Azomite, four heaping tablespoons of GreenSand fines and four heaping tablespoons of Oystershell flour all mixed with three cups of cornmeal. I will change that to just Tablespoons of everything and I think I will find another filler material. Maybe some alfalfa meal or even some Organic 4-4-4 fertilizer. I'm not sure yet I just know that a little grit is good and too much is a problem.
Oyster Shell Flour is good if we feed too much food to the Vermis'. So out of all the grit that is one with more wiggle room in usage in my opinion.

From what I read it's a fine line between a healthy worm bin and dead worms.
If there are coffee grounds in the worm-food that may be enough grit. To add Azomite, Greensand and Oyster shell just for the sake of adding soil amendments is a bad practice in the worm bin in my opinion. Do that later when the Worm-Castings are harvested.

 

[hillbill]

Grit is sprinkled on here. You don’t need a great amount. It takes more than coffee grounds. Having plenty of browns in the bin is a must. Got a fancy shredder for unbleached cardboard.