Author Topic: worm composting (Read 7862 times)

rdak · « **on:** November 24, 2003, 10:45:05 »

found this link on the uk.rec.gardening newsgroup.

Build a worm composting bin for £13:

http://www.troubleatmill.com/wormbin.htm

Mrs Ava · « **Reply #1 on:** November 24, 2003, 18:02:20 »

Cor :o , that has gotta beat the 70 or 80 quid I have seen them for sale at! :D
'OI - husband - I've got a little job for you! Stop with that turbine thing and get me some worms!!' ;D

Doris_Pinks · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2003, 18:17:10 »

Splendid idea, well done for finding it rdak! It might have to be one of my winter projects! :)

ina · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2003, 20:49:25 »

That sounds really good, I have to look into that. Just wondering if it's operational in winter or whether you have to start over every spring.

gavin · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2003, 23:45:23 »

Nice one - I'd like to try that!

What put me off for such a long time? When I was finding out about making comfrey and nettle "tea", I was intrigued that so many people were happy to have finally found a use for their £70 wormery!!!!!!

Thank you - and all best, Gavin

rdak · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2003, 10:22:46 »

Ina, think they are operational over the winter. On Gardeners World, they showed the bin being wrapped in bubble wrap to protect the worms.

ina · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2003, 21:28:05 »

I saw that too but.......... if the temps are -10C for a while I wonder what good the bubble wrap will do. What I really need is a guideline for temps. Worms are cold blooded right and if the temp in the wormery drops below freezing wouldn't the worms die? I think in the ground they just dive down to where the frost can't get to them. The bubble wrap will insulate some I'm sure but eventually the cold will get through, just like the greenhouse was wrapped but they still needed a heater in there. See what I mean?

rdak · « **Reply #7 on:** November 25, 2003, 22:55:51 »

after a few googles, it seems that ideally they should be kept in a shed or garage over winter, but failing that then insulate with carpet or bubble wrap. Unless it gets really cold, I'm guessing a few will survive to carry on the legacy! If they do all die, then find some rotted horse manure and you're bound to find more worms.

think I will give the worm composting a go in the spring.

Sarah_O · « **Reply #8 on:** November 25, 2003, 23:35:50 »

Have you tried http://www.wormwoman.com also http://www.wigglywigglers.com they both have lots of info on keeping the worms. The worm woman especially as she talks about insulating and very cold temperatures. :)

Hope this helps. The trouble at mill site is great. I've got a can-o'-worms from wiggly wigglers in my garden but now I'm thinking about building one for the allotment.

Cheers Sarah

rdak · « **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2003, 18:08:52 »

thanks Sarah. Couldn't get the .com address to work, but http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk does.

Hyacinth · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2003, 02:02:16 »

I was thrilled to check out that site. Thanks ever such a lot. I've put the site in faves, but think I'll take the precaution of printing it out for my folder as well. I'll DEFF be doing it in the spring.

Wigglywigglers keep sending me their brochure, but I think that the home-made wormery is for me.

Ien, friends in Bishop's Cleeve in Gloucestershire, were able to buy a wormery really cheaply from their local council some years ago. They kept it in their garage. The worms died in the winter. They didn't think to drain off the worm-wee, which froze with worms in it, or something. I'm fond of worms and wouldn't like that :( So I shan't be making mine until the Spring.- Lish

teresa · « **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2003, 11:17:58 »

Saw the bins outside poundstrecher yesterday on special offer so off you all go and get them before they realise and put the price up.
Great idea and so simple bigger than the homemade one I did but I was playing with a large bucket with lid made holes two inches up from the base. Got the worms ( braylings) from the compost heap with some muck and topped up with house hold pealings etc and did they munch through. The tea was collected in a washing up bowl and ladled out to be bottled untill ready for use. I was surprised my idea worked they dont all work? but the braylings ( tiger worms) were bought from the local fishing shop. This tip about the worms I found on the other side beeb think it was a posting from our Hugh.
Teresa

Doris_Pinks · « **Reply #12 on:** November 27, 2003, 11:20:01 »

We don't have a poundstretcher near us.......waaaaaaahhhhhhhh have to nip up the local shop and see how much they want to charge me! DP

Hyacinth · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2003, 11:34:44 »

Are braylings the same worms that I've got in my horse muck? Reddy things? And, should I need to buy them from a fishing shop, how many did you buy, Theresa?

Don't want overcrowding and fights breaking out :o Lishka

Doris_Pinks · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2003, 11:36:44 »

Lish I was sitting here wondering if the worms that gather around the top of my daelek compost bin are the same too?! Someone out there must know the answer!! ;D Dottie P

teresa · « **Reply #15 on:** November 27, 2003, 12:39:07 »

Hi Liska and Dottie
the braylings (tiger worms) were 3.00 for two tubs from the fishing shop. They have stripes going across them and breed quickly. They are good munchers have to give them that. Dont know where they come from but the red worms could be babies? had some in the compost heap small ones. But do think any worms will breed when conditions are right so loads of muck or kitchen waste they loved fruite and peelings and with grass it generates heat. I poured over urine and water so it did not dry out and with the lid on it was warm. Perhaps having it south facing warm and sheltered would see it through the winter better might be an idea.
I am having problems again not being notified of replies so if I dont reply I am not being funny just emal me have to send dan another email this what happens when your a senior hee hee.
Teresa

Hyacinth · « **Reply #16 on:** November 27, 2003, 19:41:52 »

Thanks for the info about the worms, Teresa...

You sure it's not the 'seniority' of old age & you're forgetting to tick the 'replies' box????

;D ;D ;D - Lish

teresa · « **Reply #17 on:** November 27, 2003, 19:52:42 »

Oh Lish you could have something :-[I got this one :-X hee hee
Teresa

Hugh_Jones · « **Reply #18 on:** November 27, 2003, 19:57:16 »

Actually, Teresa (and Lishka) they`re not braylings, but brandlings. They usually sell for about 25 - 30 in a tub for around £1 in angling shops, and, yes, they`re exactly the same as the ones you find in old horse muck, and the ones you find clustered around the top of your compost bin.

I`ve never tried a pure wormery because I`ve always considered that the best fodder for it is also best mixed with the lawn mowings and weeds. Consequently I mainly use the worms in the cold compost bins (which are filled with the partly composted stuff out of the hot bins when they cool down), but 50 brandlings in the bottom of a bin of partly composted stuff in spring will become several thousand by autumn. When I empty my cold bins I reckon to get about 80 worms to the forkful in the top layer - these go back into the bins again afterwards.

teresa · « **Reply #19 on:** November 27, 2003, 23:45:14 »

Thank you Hugh for the correct name for the worms, they are great little workers
Teresa

News:

Author Topic: worm composting (Read 7862 times)

rdak

rdak

rdak

rdak

Hugh_Jones