Worm Farm in the making

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OrganicCarrot420

Active Member
Hello everyone, I’d like to get some opinions and some straight up truth about starting a worm bin and eventually starting a worm farm!

So let me start out by saying this, I already Fucked up‍♂. I ordered my red wiggles from uncle Jim and they arrived today, and I haven’t yet started the bin. So in a rush I grabbed my 27 gallon container I bought, threw down a layer of seedling starter soil, oak leaves from the back yard, shredded news paper, and I threw 3 freezer bags full of puréed berries fruits vegetables(non acidic), and other mixed greens on top of that.

I felt accomplished at this point until I realized that I put way too much green material, not enough bedding, and I ordered my worms too early. SO, as I sit here now and sift all this nasty green material off of the bedding, can I put my worms in the fridge for a few days while my mix brews. How much more bedding should I use, and ami even on the right track.

Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Nugnewbie

Nugnewbie

Well-Known Member
OrganicCarrot420 said:
Hello everyone, I’d like to get some opinions and some straight up truth about starting a worm bin and eventually starting a worm farm!

So let me start out by saying this, I already Fucked up‍♂. I ordered my red wiggles from uncle Jim and they arrived today, and I haven’t yet started the bin. So in a rush I grabbed my 27 gallon container I bought, threw down a layer of seedling starter soil, oak leaves from the back yard, shredded news paper, and I threw 3 freezer bags full of puréed berries fruits vegetables(non acidic), and other mixed greens on top of that.

I felt accomplished at this point until I realized that I put way too much green material, not enough bedding, and I ordered my worms too early. SO, as I sit here now and sift all this nasty green material off of the bedding, can I put my worms in the fridge for a few days while my mix brews. How much more bedding should I use, and ami even on the right track.

Any advice would be appreciated.
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As far as I've learned on the process of vermicomposting, which isn't a lot, is when you start a new worm bin, it's best not to give them any food scraps right from the start. It's best to let the worms get accustomed to their new home for a week or so before feeding. I am no authority on this subject. Hopefully others with more knowledge and experience can chime in and give you more helpful advice as to what you could do next, with your current situation. There are a couple threads in the forums on vermicomposting as well you could check out too.
 
Richard Drysift

Richard Drysift

Well-Known Member
The live worms in the 27gal pot may yet survive and even thrive after awhile. It takes a few months for a colony to begin reproducing; their populations will increase if they get a consistent supply of food and are happy with conditions. The refrigerator might kill them by suffocating; they are fine at a comfy cool room temperature. They hate heat and don’t like to be stifled; need airflow. If the pot you are using as a bin is plastic switch to fabric or get something like a worm factory 360.
I don’t think adding all that organic material will hurt much; may take awhile longer to establish the colony. To add more bedding use recycled soil, coco coir, straw, or any combo of these. Add dry cannabis leaves whenever you can. Try wetting down some shredded newspaper page or paper bag and place it loosely over the top of the pot. Not dripping wet but moist like a sponge. This should keep the top layer from drying out and make the worms happy so they won’t escape. If you see them trying to escape there’s some thing wrong.
Best thing you can do IMO is get a worm factory 360 or similar tray style worm bin. Tray style bins are easy to establish, prevent the worms from escaping, plus the trays make it super easy to harvest the castings. They love to get air flow which is why “waffle” style trays work so well.
 
smokin away

smokin away

Well-Known Member
Richard Drysift said:
The live worms in the 27gal pot may yet survive and even thrive after awhile. It takes a few months for a colony to begin reproducing; their populations will increase if they get a consistent supply of food and are happy with conditions. The refrigerator might kill them by suffocating; they are fine at a comfy cool room temperature. They hate heat and don’t like to be stifled; need airflow. If the pot you are using as a bin is plastic switch to fabric or get something like a worm factory 360.
I don’t think adding all that organic material will hurt much; may take awhile longer to establish the colony. To add more bedding use recycled soil, coco coir, straw, or any combo of these. Add dry cannabis leaves whenever you can. Try wetting down some shredded newspaper page or paper bag and place it loosely over the top of the pot. Not dripping wet but moist like a sponge. This should keep the top layer from drying out and make the worms happy so they won’t escape. If you see them trying to escape there’s some thing wrong.
Best thing you can do IMO is get a worm factory 360 or similar tray style worm bin. Tray style bins are easy to establish, prevent the worms from escaping, plus the trays make it super easy to harvest the castings. They love to get air flow which is why “waffle” style trays work so well.
Click to expand...
The white shredded paper with some slop from the sink work great. The easy no turn compost bin takes stuff layer by layer. Adding coffee grounds and banana peels on top with some clippings or chopped leaves. Got some red wigglers from PetSmart and they took to it.
 
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mandocat

Well-Known Member
My worms live in an old bath tub in the yard with a piece of plywood over it. They have been there for 15 years. They are mostly in the shade and there is a drain hole, so liquid doesn't build up. When I apply compost I use the worms and all, usually into the ground outdoors but I have done the same for indoor grows. I try to separate the more finished compost from the fresh stuff, but I don't worry too much about any aspect of this. Ours get fed a lot of coffee grounds, and some fruit and veggies, occasional leaves, chicken poop, and grass clippings. I turn parts of it once in a while. It has frozen solid a couple of times over the years, but more worms hatch and begin again. It also gets over a 100 degrees here every year, and I will occasionally add water if needed. The best single amendment for your garden on the planet! PXL_20230623_203203400.jpg
 
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