Let's Farm some Worms = Free soil amendment.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:26 pm

OK, folks, I've "farmed" one worm for 24 hours and he's still alive.

Obviously no expert, no experience.

I dug up 1 worm from the soil near foundation of house, took a trowelful of soil,
put them into a clean yoghurt container, punched airholes in lid.
Tiny bit of mist/water inside, added a few potato peelings, placed in a warm dark basement.

Dean, you said you bought night crawlers.
I'd find a clean plastic "box" like those dark-blue organizers made by Rubbermaid with a lid that fits.
Shred up some newspaper (for bedding), place in one corner, then native soil, rotten damp leaves in the other corner.
A few veg peelings from kitchen, banana peels (cut up), and toss worms in.

I think that's how it's done.

Anybody else?
Barb

ps...peelings, etc. should be damp, never flooded wet.

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:45 pm

Thanks, Barb, for starting this thread. I was thinking of using a 5-gallon bucket if thats okay?

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:48 pm

I'm guessing it would be perfect, as long as it's not clear.

Where did you buy your worms? a fishing/bait store? (I can't think of one).

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:50 pm

I bought them at a local convience store.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:52 pm

...in the aisle marked Worms?

never knew they had 'em.

I'll check around town.
Barb

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:42 pm

So much for my NOT whipping into town on every whim

Got nightcrawlers at a camping supply store! They had 'em in the fridge.

Found a 5 gallon bucket, dug out more soil near house foundation, added slimey leaves, moist shredded newspaper,
and yup, coffee grounds. Man are these worms fat and long

(yech)
In they go.

No lid for the bucket. Would they crawl out?

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:32 pm

Barb,

Those are some healthy looking worms. I'll have to get a picture of mine. Did you fill the bucket all the way up? If not I don't they they will crawl out.

Dean

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:49 pm

They had my in a fridge also. I had to wake them up. LOL! I added composted manure and Coffee Grounds. I will add some paper later tonight or tommorow.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 7:13 pm

That's a cute looking bunch...

How'd you wake them up?
I placed them on floor near the woodstove, they started moving within minutes.

Bucket's half full of native soil/leaves/clippings.
A piece of cardboard covers nicely.

And tonight we ate carrots and potatoes...needed the peelings

Stooopid question: do these "crawler" worms get along with the earthworms I found in my garden soil?
Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 7:26 pm

Thanks! I woke them up by touching them, their still cool though. They were in the fridge. I coverd them with some wet newspaper.

I don't know how they'll get along with worms in your garden.

Dean

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:31 am

Barb,

I was told that Coffee Grounds hold little value as a worm food and that I should try peat moss.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:26 am

Really?
Now that the worms haven't shown adverse affects from coffee grounds,
I'll add kitchen scraps that I'd normally throw in my bigger composter outside.

Peat moss isn't a waste product, so I don't plan to use it.
Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 12:14 pm

I bought some peat moss, but I can't belive someone said that Coffee Grounds are not a good worm food. Hmm, I think I'll wait for more info first.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:57 pm

Dean,
What proportion of coffee grounds to native soil/potting soil did you use? 50/50 or 100 per cent?
Do you plan on using kitchen scraps, too?

I think the reason for the shredded newspaper (besides bedding initially) is to absorb excess moisture,
thereby preventing smelly compost.
Mine's in the basement so I'll be adding some more shredded newspaper.
Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:10 pm

Barb,

Yes, initially I had mixed about 50/50 Coffee Grounds to composted manure. I plan on using kitchen scraps too.

I'm keeping mine in the garage, it's getting warmer so they should be okay.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:29 pm

I have to admit I stirred around in the bucket today to look for the worms...to see if they're dead.
Most were at the bottom, look OK.

Could they be looking for more darkness?

Did you have a winter?

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:48 pm

I don't know if there looking for darkness or not.

Yes, we had a short winter. I think it's almost over though.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:27 pm

Earthworms go deeper as soil temps increase in summer.
My basement has a warm floor, they'll warm as they go lower in the bucket.
Probably confuse them.

I think the most critical thing is to limit excessive moisture because there's no "drain" as there'd be in natural soil outdoors.

Since your bucket is in the garage, did you punch any small drain holes in it?
Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:58 am

No, I didn't punch or drill any holes in the bucket.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:34 am

Dean, from reading this article http://www.herper.com/earthworms/earthw ... lture.html
maybe we should add another dozen or two

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:26 am

I'll consider putting some holes in the bucket. Thanks, for the link.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:06 am

Oh oh, my basement's smelling like damp soil (yech!)
Husband said to get it out of there.

Still too coolish for outdoors.
Maybe I'll just add another 3 doz worms, they'll get rid of the extra smelly stuff?
Or could I sprinkle some baking soda...seems to "sweeten" the dog's bed.

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:17 am

Barb,

How damp do you have the soil, Barb? He dosen't appreciate worms like you do, LOL! Wow, another three dozen worms! I don't think I would add any baking soda unless you've seen that written somewhere. The salts in the baking soda may do the worms in.

I still have mine alive and kicking. I used moistened peatmoss as the bedding medium. I fed them some bread , fruit, and dead vegetable seedlings then I put moistened newspaper on top. Sometimes when I raise up the newspaper there will be one on the top then he'll flee downwards.

Here is a website I found that has forums on worms. Enter on the left hand side where it says "New Forum Topics." I haven't joined it or anything, but I've been reading through some of the post. Seemed quite helpful. http://www.wormdigest.org/

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:26 am

Dean, that "herper.com" website suggested keeping it quite damp. I'm careful not to flood it 'coz without drain holes, they'd drown if they're at the bottom.
Nope, haven't read about baking soda...just thought it might absorb odor.
OK won't use it. Thanks for the warning.

dead vegetable seedlings

I'll have a look at that site for anybody with an in-house system (and a husband who doesn't mind)

Also, am I supposed to turn the bucket now and then to mix up the compost...
or would the worms object to the roller coaster ride?
Thanks.
Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:34 am

Barb, your asking a newbie LOL! I'm not sure if you should mix it up or leave them be. I did read that they like to be left alone to acclimate to their new enviroment. My bucket dosen't smell. Did you add too much food, maybe. I also read that you want to maybe bury it under some wet shredded paper to keep away fruit flies, etc. Probally will help keep the smell down to.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:43 am

That's a great website you sent. Thank you.
Man, there's even a story of finding a rare earthworm that normally grows to 3 feet.
At least she found parts of it!

And what a mistake digging up garden earthworms for an inside composter!
They said it was the wrong type of worm!
So my garden worms have likely died

and the nightcrawlers probably ate them

Onward...

Stink” in a worm bin is a sign that too little oxygen is reaching part or all of the worm bin system. If you find an area that stinks, where food waste and/or bedding are very wet or compacted, you’ll want to mix in more dry bedding and reduce your feeding in the future.

So I'll add dry-ish newspapers to soak up excess moisture.
Still might buy another few dozen 'coz the original dozen aren't consuming enough before it stinks.
Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:51 am

Barb, I enjoyed reading some of it, too. Good luck with drying it out a bit. Frome what I've read there are quite a few different kinds of worms. There are to name a few - red wigglers, manure worms, Canadian nightcarwlers, African nightcrawlers, European nightcrawlers, etc. When I got mine it just said nightcrawler on the box. So I don't know what temperature range they require. I'll guess I'll have to experiment with them.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:13 pm

Ya, good articles.
Did you read that 3-foot earthworm story?
The thing occasionally crawls on the ground...I call that a snake!

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:21 pm

No, I haven't read the 3' worm article, yet.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:21 pm

Got 2 doz more today.
Maybe they'll work harder in a big group

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:06 am

Now you make me wanting to buy more, LOL!

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:46 am

Added some more scraps this morning, and the bucket is full!
No sign of 3 doz worms at work.
My worms might be on a diet!

Now what?
Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:20 am

Barb,
I don't know. I didn't see mine for several days so two days ago I dug for them. They were healthy as could be working away I guess. I added some moistened shredded paper/composted manure that day and today I noticed one munching on it.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:49 am

Maybe I should add another couple of dozen (that'd make it...yup five doz)

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:05 pm

I'm thinking of buying red wigglers/ red worms.

Dean

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:34 pm

I think you have a record going here , 2 people three pages of conversation and no one butted in.......except for now. What ya'll planning on doing with your worms? seems to me that worm keeping in the wintertime in your basement could get a little messy. just my thoughts. good luck.

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:42 pm

Yes, two people w/ three pages of conversation.

I'm planning on using the castings for fertilizer.

I live in Texas so we don't have basements. I'll use the garage instead.

Thanks,
Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:30 pm

Hi Kent, I'll use the "soil" for mixing into my palm and cycad soil when I repot.

But it just occurred to me that I'll have to get all the worms out...(eeeeewwwww

)
Maybe people just dump them out on the concrete and grab 'em for a new bucket.

You're right, got a tad stinky pretty quickly.
It was too wet, so I added more shredded newspaper to soak up the extra goo.
Doesn't stink now unless I take the cover off.

Dean, got 2 more dozen today.
Sixty worms ought to be bumping into one another in that pail.
Hope they're hungry!

Barb
PS--dumb question but why no basements in Texas? high water table?

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:37 pm

Barb,

Wow, you have a lot of worms now. I want to order a pound or two off the internet.

I don't know why we don't have basements. I guess because it dosen't get that cold here.

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:49 pm

Are they cheaper on the internet?
Are the red ones better than the nightcrawlers?

I paid $3.30 approx for a dozen.
A small bag of worm compost costs $7.00

So for $15.00 these guys will pay their way in no time.
Wonder how long they live...

Basements are for cold?
There are some bungalows here (built on a slab), a pricey way to build.
So where do you put all your junk?

Barb