Composting worms

How timely that you posted this now. This morning I saw that several worms had escaped. I started vermicomposting a few months ago and this is the second time all of a sudden a lot of worms escaped all at once. Both times I freaked out thinking I had done or not done something that was causing trouble for my otherwise happy worms. This article was helpful as when I opened the bin this morning I couldn't find anything that would cause a problem.

As much as I would love to raise worms, my ADD gets in the way. Poor worms. I wish I could focus a little more so that they had a chance to do their thing.

@LaurieLovesLearning Thanks for the article. I learned something today.

I am in the process of building Tom Bartell's recycled refrigerator worm bin. But maybe I should just start them in a bin since the larger option is taking me.so.dang.long.

I used to use tubs in my basement and even in my classroom.

When we first ordered the worms, the custodian placed the box in my co-teacher's space--just before the weekend. When she arrived on Monday, the worms had somehow escaped the box. Sadly, many of them desiccated on their journey to the unknown. She walked into her room with her copies-- only to find it covered in dead worms!

@Brindy it's so awesome that your keeping your grandfather's bin going :)

@frogvalley I agree with @LaurieLovesLearning that a rubbermaid bin with a lid on the top and additional lid underneath to catch drainage will work great to start: drill holes in the top for aeration and in the bottom for drainage. don't forget to always add your browns in with your greens; the bedding should be coconut coir or peat moss, lots of shredded paper/cardboard; a damp piece of newspaper on the top.

@LaurieLovesLearning if you are tight on space I highly recommend a Worm Factory/Worm Tower; you can ask around your local Buy Nothing group/freecycle etc if you're not in a rush for one if you don't want to buy it since they're not super cheap. The stacking is great for saving space but as per the article it seems it may work far better for actual red wigglers than the indian blues! Thanks so much for posting, it was a very interesting read :)

@annbeck62 if you can't find a local source, I've purchased online through Uncle Jim's Worm Farm and it was great; 10 years later I still have worms and gift away containers full multiple times a year (often when I'm sorting my bin or just if someone requests them)

Just wondering if anyone has onions on the best place to mail order red wigglers and will they survive shipping when temperatures are freezing?

I purchased my worms from Uncle Jim's worm farm. I will say I guess because of Covid they took over two weeks to arrive. I had everything set up and was ready, eager (and somewhat impatient) to get started so I purchased some worms from a bait store while I was waiting. Not sure if that was a good idea or not. From what I can tell everybody is getting along but I have had some spastic worm episodes which until the post about Indian Blue (if I remember the name correctly) I thought was because I was doing something wrong. I can't say for sure they came from the bait store and I'm getting castings so everything seems fine but maybe I'd been better off waiting it out.

In the winter my worm bins are in a greenhouse. There just enough heat to keep them happy. Before the gtreenhouse they were either in the spare bedroom or basement kitchen. I never had a problem with smell or escape.

My one friend kept her in the living room!

If I get a lerger aquaponic greenhouse set up they will live belove the plants. I saw a set up like that in a greenhouse in Buffalo NY

Nice design and idea@Hassena

I started keeping worms this summer. I live in a hot climate so keep them in the family room. For the most part they don't get out. I've had a few occasions of spastic worms where 5 or 6 get at the same time. The floor is tile so I can see when it happens. When I researched it said the moisture level of the bin should feel like a wrung out sponge. So I've had no water collecting at the bottom (so far). Can't say if I'm doing it the right way as I'm a beginner and learning as I go but I'm getting castings and I see baby worms in the bin so things seem to be going well.