A garden is only as good as the ground that it's planted in. Discussion forum for the many ways to improve the soil where we plant our gardens.
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7
Posts: 10,385
|
![]()
Thanks to one of our wonderful tomato seedling customers, Cheryl, we have a complete set up...she gave us the bins and some worms, and they are now living in our downstairs powder room on the floor (or on the dryer!). It is remarkable to actually hear them eating! The worms are growing rapidly (as is the amount of castings).
__________________
Craig |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Gaston,NC
Posts: 71
|
![]()
Craig,
Vermicomposting is something I've been meaning to get started with. I have started brewing compost tea and the worm castings would be great. Let us know how it's going. How about a video when you get time. Jerry |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
|
![]()
I would also love to hear how it's going-the idea is appealing to me but not so much to DH. I was thinking our unfinished basement would be a great spot, but he's worried about the odor.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7
Posts: 10,385
|
![]()
Kath, there is NO ODOR at all! We are very surprised....when you open up the container, all you smell is dirt - so good garden soil is probably loaded with worm castings. And what is even more amazing - putting in kitchen scraps (coffee grounds, old fruit like shriveled berries, watermelon rinds, corn husks) - you would think that would smell. But the worms get to work on it and again, no odor!
__________________
Craig |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
|
![]()
Wow-that is very good news! I was encouraged when you said that you set up your operation in the main part of your house. Can't wait to share this! We make huge amounts of kitchen wastes from fruits and greens all year round and it seems a simpler way to compost them. Keep us posted. There must be other vermicomposters here.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 692
|
![]() Quote:
Just a point, be careful when adding the 'huge amount', over feeding can have serious side effects. A heat up, just like your composter, this can kill the squirm, leading to the most awful smell imaginable. Better to give them lots of newspaper and cardboard to get then started, then when the herd gets bigger you can increase the amount of feed. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: east texas
Posts: 686
|
![]()
I have had a worm farm for 1.5 years, I have not had any problems with mine.
![]() Enjoy, Neva |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
|
![]()
Thanks for the feedback-definitely going to look into it because of the wonderful things I've heard about worm castings. Cardboard and newspaper is easy to come by as well. Figuring out where to keep them due to change in temperatures outdoors here is the biggest obstacle for me.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 58
|
![]()
I have one. I started it this spring with a pound of red wigglers. I keep mine outside next to the garage but plan on moving it to the basement for winter. No noticible smell. I did notice some little mites (?) yesterday, I guess a melon rind in the bin will attract them and I just wash them off and then put the rind back in for the worms to consume. I found this site to be particularly helpful:
http://www.redwormcomposting.com/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 4,386
|
![]()
I have read that a vermicomposting side effect is lots and lots of fruit flies-true or not?
__________________
Michael |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 692
|
![]() Quote:
If you use dry shredded newspaper over the top, bury the food scraps beneath the dry stuff where the fruit flies cannot get at it. Try to avoid the 'tropical' fruits, as that is where fruit flies come from. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky 6a
Posts: 754
|
![]()
Why would anyone wanna pay $35+ when you can either get them from a compost pile or 'hunt' them for free?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Posts: 14
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky 6a
Posts: 754
|
![]()
Ok. Don't know about other areas, but they are rather plentiful around here, especially if you have some decently friable material.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Posts: 14
|
![]()
Sounds like a good business opportunity for you! For me personally, the $25 is worth it versus the enormous amount of time it would take me to gather 1000 wrigglers.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|