| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| oceanfarmgirl |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 09:58:20 AM
I confess! I am a worm farmer. Worm farming is really easy, and there are lots of books out there about them. I feed mine my vegi waste. I also have a compost pile for the excess waste that I can't feed my worms. (too many onions, lots of citrus) My population is not large enough for my family of five YET. It will grow. One day I might not need my compost pile. I thought I'd share a bit about what I know about worms. First, let me give you a link to the place I bought my bin. My bin sits in my kitchen. No odor, no fuss, and EASY peasy! I got it here: http://www.co.douglas.or.us/recycle When you get to the page, find the worms link in the navigate bar on your left. GOOD GOOD stuff. Here are a few things you should know about worms.
1. Not all worms are composting worms. Earthworms are NOT composters. They are earth MOVERS. You will need Red Worms for a bin.
2. I have the bin in the picture. It's plastic, and black. This is good for a few reasons. The plastic is not affected by the moisture that a worm bin generates. (one poster in the compost thread called it "worm pee") This moisture is NOT worm pee. It's the water that your vegitables create as they breakdown, and seep through the layers of worm "castings" (a fancy term for worm poop) This worm "tea" as I like to call it, is VERY rich in nutrients. It should never be put on plants at full strength. It's too strong. I dillute my tea 1 part tea to 8 parts water or so. Another nice thing about this bin, is that it is self contained. It comes with an instruction booklet. Everything you need to know is in that booklet. There is a spout on the bottom that makes harvesting your tea very easy. This is handy, because once you get your worms, their food, their bedding, and all that in the bin, it's VERY HEAVY.
3. I have found a way to distrubute my tea onto my lawn. I bought a Miracle Gro sprayer that attatches to my garden hose. I fill the can with worm tea, and spray away! Very easy. My lawn LOVED it. I also used this method to fetilize my tomatoes. So far, I have not harvested my castings. It will be a while before I do that. Until then, I am harvesting the tea, and seeing really good things from it!
4. There are a lot of suggestions for worm bedding, but I think that NEWSPAPER is just fine. I have had very good results with my bin using only newspaper for bedding.
Be sure to check out the link! There are other links on the worm page with worm information! It's a really great way to get REALLY good results VERY fast. I think I had my first batch of tea within 1 month of starting my bin.
Rachel
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Trace |
Posted - Jul 04 2007 : 11:39:03 AM
Thanks for the info Rachel. Am looking into it. I'll keep you posted on our sucess. (crossing fingers for sucess) lol
pics from my world.. http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/tra-dun/ |
| oceanfarmgirl |
Posted - Jul 02 2007 : 7:55:02 PM
Trace! Thanks for posting! Here is a link to the system I have (or one very similar) http://www.happydranch.com/48.html I have heard only GREAT things about the Happy D ranch, and at the ranch, this system is about 30.00 less than the can o worms. I keep my bin in the kitchen for the same reason that you plan to! Any questions that you have, feel free to ask!
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com
OR check out my gardening activities at http://oceanfarmgirlsgarden.blogspot.com |
| Trace |
Posted - Jul 02 2007 : 7:42:56 PM
My son is thrilled with this idea and I am trying to find one like yours Rachel but I am not having any luck. I want to get a setup for a mother and son project. But it seems the model you have is only offered for communites.
The one I have found similar to yours is the Can O Worms , worm bin. I want one to keep in my kitchen. I need that gentle reminder(don't forget to feed us)so inside would work better for me and the worms, lol.
Trace
pics from my world.. http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/tra-dun/ |
| Cindy Lee |
Posted - Jul 02 2007 : 4:56:07 PM
Alee, Hope you get the chance really soon. We don't need ANY lid flippin' that's for sure! |
| Alee |
Posted - Jul 02 2007 : 2:01:36 PM
Cindy-
I would love to- but I just don't have any extra cash right now. So buying a worm set up and worms would probably make my fiance flip his lid. :(
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tying, one hand to hold Nora! |
| oceanfarmgirl |
Posted - Jul 02 2007 : 08:30:48 AM
Plus, it adds moisture to the bin, which is great, and when you have the drains on the bottoms like we do with our bins, you don't have to worry about it being TOO wet.
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com
OR check out my gardening activities at http://oceanfarmgirlsgarden.blogspot.com |
| Cindy Lee |
Posted - Jul 02 2007 : 07:46:08 AM
Alee, You know, you could actually GET some worms if you want to? It really is kinda fun. I'm starting to think of getting another bin. The one I have doesn't keep up with our garbage and regular composting takes a LOT longer to do. Plus, the worm tea is so good for plants, I'd like to have more of it.
The blender....good idea! |
| oceanfarmgirl |
Posted - Jun 30 2007 : 10:18:25 PM
Mine love tomatoes! lol and I've noticed the same thing about melons. They eat them right up! I don't even make mine smaller, but I've heard that putting larger things in the blender is a good way to help them eat faster...
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com
OR check out my gardening activities at http://oceanfarmgirlsgarden.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 30 2007 : 9:19:04 PM
Is it weird that I am jealous of your worms? lol!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tying, one hand to hold Nora! |
| Cindy Lee |
Posted - Jun 30 2007 : 8:53:46 PM
Rachel, Haven't been talkin' worms for awhile! Happy to hear that they are doing better. I was actually feeding mine too much and had to cut back. I was getting a little flying bugs that looked like a fruit fly. I looked it up and they said to cut back on the food. I guess they couldn't keep up with what I was giving them. So, it's much better now. Just have to tell you they LOVE any kind of melon rind. I just cut it up pretty small and it's gone in two days!
If life gives you scraps, make quilts! |
| oceanfarmgirl |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 11:09:54 PM
I just graduated to my next level! I've been way better about feeding my worms, and they have been multiplying! Woo Hooo!
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com
OR check out my gardening activities at http://oceanfarmgirlsgarden.blogspot.com |
| BotanicalBath |
Posted - May 29 2007 : 11:10:56 AM
I just kinda glanced through this thread...
My FIL had a bunch of research based on earthworms and reclaiming land after strip mining. If it can save the land after strip mining and industiral waste, it has to be great for land that has not been destroyed.
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com
www.Botanical-Bath.com
"I do my housework in the nude. It gives me an incentive to clean the mirrors as quickly as possible." |
| oceanfarmgirl |
Posted - May 29 2007 : 11:01:35 AM
Just a side thought for you, the reason I moved my bin INTO the house was because I wasn't good about feeding the little guys when the bin was out in the garage. So now, they are in the kitchen where I remember them and feed them regularly. Really, they don't WANT to leave the bin. They like the dark cozy quiet, and they only leave if they HAVE to... so it was my lack of care that made them even THINK about it. Only about ten or so got out, and there are HUNDREDS in the bin...
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com
OR check out my gardening activities at http://oceanfarmgirlsgarden.blogspot.com |
| junkjunkie |
Posted - May 29 2007 : 10:57:12 AM
Thank you, Rachel. It sounds like an interesting idea! |
| oceanfarmgirl |
Posted - May 29 2007 : 10:46:45 AM
Judy,
I have my bin in my kitchen. I have only had my worms leave my bin once, when it was in the garage and I had let their food supply run low. As long as your worms have a good layer of bedding on the top of the bin (inside) and there is food, they don't leave. They only try to leave if there is not bedding to nest in (because they can't live in their own waste) or their food is gone (they leave to search for food.)Hope that is what you were needing for information!
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com
OR check out my gardening activities at http://oceanfarmgirlsgarden.blogspot.com |
| junkjunkie |
Posted - May 29 2007 : 09:52:12 AM
This thread is long, and I'm not reading all of it..so maybe this question was already asked. Is there a good chance the worms would get out of the bin if I had this inside? I have a sunroom closet that is pretty big, so maybe I would have it in there. I just don't want a bunch of worms in my home! lol. |
| Cindy Lee |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 6:23:20 PM
Alee, I agree with Rachel. I would much rather worm than compost, it is easier and much FASTER!! But, you will need something outside because those little worms can only eat so fast!
Back to adding a tier, I heard that worms will eventually die if they live too long in their own waste so adding a tier (when needed) is actually good for them. I have seen a lot more activity since I added the second one. Today when I checked on them, I lifted the second tier and the worms were hanging through the hole. I thought it was a good sign that they were doing what they are supposed to.
Being a worm wrangler is so facinating! |
| oceanfarmgirl |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 3:31:36 PM
Personally, I have found worming to be WAY easier than composting. I do have a heap outside for the "extras" that my worms can't handle... but I really prefer worming.
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com
OR check out my gardening activities at http://oceanfarmgirlsgarden.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 12:47:32 PM
Well, my fiance has been really supportive of all of my wierd and wacky projects. I am thinking I might start worm farming next or a compost heap. Help me decide ladies! :) Okay- Maybe I will do both! But perhaps I won't tell him about the compost heap just yet... :) He hates gardening but he loves the results!
Alee |
| oceanfarmgirl |
Posted - May 24 2007 : 8:01:02 PM
Cindy said everything I was going to! Good luck! I think I need to put my worms on the move too! Betty Jo, WELCOME to Worm world! LOL
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com
OR check out my gardening activities at http://oceanfarmgirlsgarden.blogspot.com |
| Cindy Lee |
Posted - May 24 2007 : 5:32:46 PM
Sarah, I just put another tier on my farm last week and the worms are headin' up! First, is your bin full up to the little brackets that hold the next tier? It has to be full so that they can reach the new tier. Next, stop putting ANY food on the 1st layer and start feeding in the new one. Also, add some new newspaper or cardboard over the food. My worms LOVE pumpkin so I was sure to throw in pumpkin puree and that was encouragement enough to get them on the move.
If you still need some info. I will be happy to copy mine and send it to you....let me know!
Cindy |
| bboopster |
Posted - May 24 2007 : 3:54:58 PM
Hello,
I have a worm farm in my classroom. It is great to watch how much they recycle in a short time. The kids just love them.
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
| MustangSuzie |
Posted - May 24 2007 : 3:26:52 PM
Rachel........HELPPPPPPPPPP!!!! I can't find my instructions that came with my worms. I need to put another tier on. Please tell me what I need to do, do I just make a bed like I did for the first one? How do I get the worms to move up to the next tier? Thanks in advance!! 
Blessings....
Sarah
"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." -From The Great Law Of The Iroquois Confederacy.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!!!!
http://mustangsuzie.wordpress.com
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| Cindy Lee |
Posted - May 11 2007 : 09:57:08 AM
Libbie, you crack me up! I think my worms feel much more appreciated now that they have had their own "week", I know I would! |
| Libbie |
Posted - May 06 2007 : 09:48:36 AM
Okay, farmgirls! Today is the beginning of the long-awaited Worm Appreciation Week mentioned above - and I, personally, would like to send out a big farmgirl "Thank You" to all the worms who have made my gardening and farming life better...nay...POSSIBLE...
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
