Anyone have any experience with worm composting?

[prolesunited]

I was thinking of trying this and reading up on it and it doesn't seem too hard.

That's in theory, though. How is it in practice?

[jobycom]

1. You mean composting with worms, or raising worms?

My father used to own a worm farm, so I have experience, literally, shovelling bs for a living. I don't know anything about worm composting, though, if that is something different.

[prolesunited]

3. No, composting with them

Basically, these special red worms eat your vegetable scraps and you use their droppings for compost.
http://www.earth911.org/master.asp?s=lib&a=organics/composting/wormcompost.asp

[stuntcat]

2. no but

I hope you start it up, if you really mean to I mean! I just learned about it last night.
I love (like llooove) earthworms but I just want more of them in my flower beds. I mentioned to my husband that I might try growing more and he rolled his eyes :p
I'm not being helpful, just want to say how the worms rock and I hope you make it work.

[spindrifter]

4. We've done this for quite a while.

I throw all of the "wet" garbage into the compost bin, chopping the largest pieces with a shovel that I keep in the bin. I also turn the stuff pretty much every time I add new material. I also add tea bags to the mess. Occasionally, I put torn strips of paper in, as well. Keeping the mess damp or wet is important, as the worms seem to be happier in a wet environment. From time to time I take the composted soil out and add it wherever.
I have also dug trenches in the garden and turned compost material into it--including worms from the mother bin.
The worms seem to love this environment. On the other hand, a friend has a covered worm bin that she has stocked with worms several times and they seem to hate it.

[prolesunited]

5. We have a regular outside compost bin

I was thinking of doing the covered worm bin thing.

Do you have just regular worms in your compost? Where did you get them? Or did you order the special red worms?

[murielm99]

8. I have a covered worm bin.

I have had it for years, and it works great. It started out as a science project for school.

I used the compost first on my house plants. They grew so large that they took over a room. Now, I use it outside for the garden and the flower beds.

I live in the country. I do not have a garbage disposal. The worm bin is great for getting rid of veggie scraps and some types of paper.

I started my worm bin with lots of torn up newspaper, some soil, some potato peels and coffee grounds. Yes, they do need to be kept wet. And if you use newspaper, avoid the pages that have colored inks. This can kill the worms.

Also, my worms do not like strong things, like onions and orange peels. I guess you have to experiment to see what works for you.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

6. At least you'll have a good source of cheap bait.

[prolesunited]

7. Don't fish

and don't eat meat.

:shrug:

[alphafemale]

9. It's really simple.

I'm using cheap styrofoam coolers right now. Styrofoam is not an enviro-friendly material in most cases. But for this use it has shown to be great.

You need a fairly sturdy container, and styrofoam fills that need, and also one you can easily poke holes in the side and bottom for air and drainage. Set cooler- or other container- on a couple rocks, bricks, whatever...for drainage circulation.

Right now I have three of them going. Just planted tomatoes/peppers in collected compost.

One of the containers I collect the organic material in.

The other two right now are at two different states of compost.

I'll probable get a fourth container this week as the worms breed at an amazing pace.

The worms need food.
Thats your veggie waste and rinsed eggs shells, also tea bags and coffee grounds.
no salted or oiled veggie waste though.

Also, what is referred to as bedding.
Grass waste, leaves, cut up newspaper (b&w print only-some times colored ink is toxic) natural fabrics. (silk, cotton)

And some dirt, sand or grit added to the mix.

stir together

Add worms.
Get from a worm compost person you know or rescue some from a bait store.

Be sure to keep moist.

They really do the magic all on their own.

After several weeks, can transfer worms to a new container and harvest the compost.

When harvesting worms watch for waxy, translucent, yellow kernels about the size of a lentil.
These are worm egg cases.

It is really amazing how fast the worms multiply. Baby worms are itty-bitty white threads, less than a qurater of an inch long.

You will always miss some worms when harvesting compost, so continue to keep compost moist, as worms will continue to work soil even though you no longer see "identifiable" veggie matter.

But, about the worms aqnd eggs you've harvested.

You can set them free or continue to expand the compost production as you wish.

They're worms...it's hard to imagine a "Born Free" anthem.

And it's hard to judge a worm's happiness, but by their production and progeny they don't seem depressed. :D

[China_cat]

10. If you want to take the easy way out

There's a product on the market called 'worm poop' from Teracycle. http://www.terracycle.net/worm_poop.htm

Good stuff.