I wanted to try a different feeding technique for my worms this week. I was hoping that this would speed up the rate at which my bins multiply so I can get more worms to eventually sell. At the rate they are producing it seems years before I could finally get a decent amount of worms and compost to sell.
So, I took the scraps of vegetables I had and chopped them up in a blender.
Wow, they ate all of it so quickly. It was a feeding frenzy.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
A Few Rogue Worms Want to Escape
Last week, we had a high pressure storm coming in. As I took a look at my worm bin to give them their weekly feeding, I noticed a few worms crawling on the side of the bin. I've never seen my worms do this. Although I've heard of this around the net before.
It got me concerned because I want my worms to be happy and don't like them trying to run out. So, I searched the net to find out what may be causing this and there were several things that could have happened. One, my bin was too acidic or the environment unbearable. But, most of the worms would be trying to escape if that was the case.
The bin would stink. Again, most of the worms would try to escape. So, I attributed this behavior to a few worms doing this to the atmospheric pressure that was in their due to the oncoming storm.
The next day, when the storm arrived, no worms were near the lid or crawling on the side of my bin.
Thank goodness.
It got me concerned because I want my worms to be happy and don't like them trying to run out. So, I searched the net to find out what may be causing this and there were several things that could have happened. One, my bin was too acidic or the environment unbearable. But, most of the worms would be trying to escape if that was the case.
The bin would stink. Again, most of the worms would try to escape. So, I attributed this behavior to a few worms doing this to the atmospheric pressure that was in their due to the oncoming storm.
The next day, when the storm arrived, no worms were near the lid or crawling on the side of my bin.
Thank goodness.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Mama's Worms are Alive With Eggs
My bin is quite healthy. And it doesn't stink like some bins I've seen before making my own. And I make sure my bin is not too wet. Oh and I do cover the food I have in their because I notice that it keeps the smell down and the flies from coming around.
I check on the worms every 3 days just because I love my worms. I wish I had more of them so I can start making a larger scale bin. They don't eat a lot. Although they say they eat up to two times their size. Don't forget, "They're Worms!!!" So, in reality that's a small amount of food they eat.
So, lots of my food I have to freeze. And others I throw into my Berkeley compost pile that I am making outside. I see a lot of worm eggs in my bin. So, I know they are happy and healthy making babies.
I keep my bin under the shade, in a screened area just because I hate to see other maggots in my bin. And the holes in my bin are quite small so that it's hard for larger flies to get in. However, small gnats are inevitable. It's hard to keep those suckers out.
There are other types of critters in there too. But not a lot. A few ground roaches and I saw an inch worm and gnats of course. But, I heard it's healthy for the bin. I don't have a problem with ants yet, so that's a good thing.
Other than that, the worms are eating and they're happy.
I check on the worms every 3 days just because I love my worms. I wish I had more of them so I can start making a larger scale bin. They don't eat a lot. Although they say they eat up to two times their size. Don't forget, "They're Worms!!!" So, in reality that's a small amount of food they eat.
So, lots of my food I have to freeze. And others I throw into my Berkeley compost pile that I am making outside. I see a lot of worm eggs in my bin. So, I know they are happy and healthy making babies.
I keep my bin under the shade, in a screened area just because I hate to see other maggots in my bin. And the holes in my bin are quite small so that it's hard for larger flies to get in. However, small gnats are inevitable. It's hard to keep those suckers out.
There are other types of critters in there too. But not a lot. A few ground roaches and I saw an inch worm and gnats of course. But, I heard it's healthy for the bin. I don't have a problem with ants yet, so that's a good thing.
Other than that, the worms are eating and they're happy.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Countertop Compost Worm Bin
Yesterday, I felt like being creative and adventuring into making a countertop compost worm bin so that I don't have to keep running outside to throw my small amounts of veggie and fruit scraps into the bigger composting worm bin. I had these really nice square cracker containers. I love the square look.
Anyway, I was keeping them for some kind of future use when I got the idea. A one tier (for now) mini counter top composting worm bin. Then, when I empty another container I can move on to the two tier container.
I wanted it to look pretty on my counter top so I spray painted it a beautiful pearl blue.
Then, cut out the top of one of the container covers, big enough to allow the second container to sit in it without slipping through to allow for the excess moisture to catch into it.
I knew I didn't want a fly population problem in there so I decided to make a lot of extremely small holes with finishing nails. But big enough for air to pass through. I don't even see the nats flying around that little holes. I hate those things. They always get up in my nose.
Anyway, I'll post the video I made at a later time. It's kind of late at the moment and I need to get to sleep soon.
After I made the bin ready, I got some brown paper bags and an egg carton, tore them in to pieces and soaked them in water. Squeezed out the water and placed them into the worm bin to use as bedding. I don't even know if these are good bedding material. The ones I had before this were coconut husks.
We'll see if this one works or not. I gave them some food that will last a few days and grabbed a handful of worms which included some cacoons and some of their original living environment and placed them in the container. Then covered again with some of that bedding and a damp paperbag.
Anyway, I hope these worms can survive. I think I'm a worm fanatic. I just can't leave them alone. I'm amazed at the cacoons they make and the way they multiply. I'm entranced and I actually want more of them. Probably even thinking of getting more to turn my back yard into a worm farm. Now that would be lovely.
Anyway, I was keeping them for some kind of future use when I got the idea. A one tier (for now) mini counter top composting worm bin. Then, when I empty another container I can move on to the two tier container.
I wanted it to look pretty on my counter top so I spray painted it a beautiful pearl blue.
Then, cut out the top of one of the container covers, big enough to allow the second container to sit in it without slipping through to allow for the excess moisture to catch into it.
I knew I didn't want a fly population problem in there so I decided to make a lot of extremely small holes with finishing nails. But big enough for air to pass through. I don't even see the nats flying around that little holes. I hate those things. They always get up in my nose.
Anyway, I'll post the video I made at a later time. It's kind of late at the moment and I need to get to sleep soon.
After I made the bin ready, I got some brown paper bags and an egg carton, tore them in to pieces and soaked them in water. Squeezed out the water and placed them into the worm bin to use as bedding. I don't even know if these are good bedding material. The ones I had before this were coconut husks.
We'll see if this one works or not. I gave them some food that will last a few days and grabbed a handful of worms which included some cacoons and some of their original living environment and placed them in the container. Then covered again with some of that bedding and a damp paperbag.
Anyway, I hope these worms can survive. I think I'm a worm fanatic. I just can't leave them alone. I'm amazed at the cacoons they make and the way they multiply. I'm entranced and I actually want more of them. Probably even thinking of getting more to turn my back yard into a worm farm. Now that would be lovely.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Trying the Berkley Compost Pile
3 years ago, I attended a permaculture class. During which time I learned the Berkley Compost method, but never tried it until just a week ago. The only problem is, it rained hard and I forgot to cover my pile because from what I found out it shouldn't be too wet or else it won't be able to decompose or get hot in the middle of the pile fast enough.
And, you are supposed to turn your pile after the 4th day and then every 2 days. My mother ended up in the hospital, so I didn't get a chance to turn my pile until 9 days had passed.
When I turned the pile, I did see that browning in the middle of the pile that is supposed to happen as the pile decomposes. I guess I am on the right track. I also tried to make sure I did the 2 to 1 ratio of carbon to nitrogen, not exact science, but an estimate.
I'm not sure if my pile was high enough. I think it was supposed to be at about 3 to 4 feet high to allow for it to heat up in the center of the pile. I know I should have taken a picture of it. I don't plan on making a video as I hate to see myself in those.
Anyway, my pile did shrink from it's original size, so I know it's breaking down. I even put some water from the fish tank I have into the pile to add more nitrogen to the pile.
Other than that, I plan on turning my pile today and getting some of that nitrogen on there again.
So, until next time, I'll see you all later.
And, you are supposed to turn your pile after the 4th day and then every 2 days. My mother ended up in the hospital, so I didn't get a chance to turn my pile until 9 days had passed.
When I turned the pile, I did see that browning in the middle of the pile that is supposed to happen as the pile decomposes. I guess I am on the right track. I also tried to make sure I did the 2 to 1 ratio of carbon to nitrogen, not exact science, but an estimate.
I'm not sure if my pile was high enough. I think it was supposed to be at about 3 to 4 feet high to allow for it to heat up in the center of the pile. I know I should have taken a picture of it. I don't plan on making a video as I hate to see myself in those.
Anyway, my pile did shrink from it's original size, so I know it's breaking down. I even put some water from the fish tank I have into the pile to add more nitrogen to the pile.
Other than that, I plan on turning my pile today and getting some of that nitrogen on there again.
So, until next time, I'll see you all later.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Composting Worms Are Still Alive
I'm so excited. The first week I had my worms, there wasn't much action going on in the bin. In fact, I thought I killed them. But, a week later, I find that they are alive and well and eating what I give them. In fact, there are little eggs and also some baby worms in the bin.
I find you can't give them everything. In reality, composting worms are picky eaters.
Yeah, seriously, no papaya seeds, because it's a natural de-wormer. But, you can give them the rest of the papaya.
They want their food mashed up. Well, obviously, they got little mouths and so it makes them eat faster if they can get some of that food ground up. I know, how do they do in in the natural world? Well, I want to start increasing my worm colony so whatever I can do to speed up the process is a wonderful idea. I'm testing that.
Also, not too much onions or tomatoes.
Anyway, I enjoy my little composting worms and I want more of them because it just amazes me how they can take something and turn them into organic compost.
AWESOME!
I find you can't give them everything. In reality, composting worms are picky eaters.
Yeah, seriously, no papaya seeds, because it's a natural de-wormer. But, you can give them the rest of the papaya.
They want their food mashed up. Well, obviously, they got little mouths and so it makes them eat faster if they can get some of that food ground up. I know, how do they do in in the natural world? Well, I want to start increasing my worm colony so whatever I can do to speed up the process is a wonderful idea. I'm testing that.
Also, not too much onions or tomatoes.
Anyway, I enjoy my little composting worms and I want more of them because it just amazes me how they can take something and turn them into organic compost.
AWESOME!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
My First Worm Adventure
Okay, I don't know why I need to make a blog about this. But, I guess I just wanted to share the experience as i go along.
A week ago, I had the opportunity to attend a UH Extension Composting worm workshop and got FREE composting worms.
I've been wanting to get some of these wrigglers for almost 2 years now and finally, I took the time to attend and got what I wanted.
So, I just wanted to share and document with you all my very first worm adventure.
When I first introduced my worms to their new environment it didn't seem as if they were enjoying themselves. In fact, I thought I was killing them and felt a little disheartened.
Then, today, I decided to take a look at them again after 2 days of not disturbing them and Bammm! There they are, even baby ones. I'm so excited! I feel like I want more.
So, what I'm doing is building a larger worm bin area, this time made of wood. As my first one is made of those plastic ones you see written about all over the internet.
I'm also researching to find out if these kinds of worms live in leaves. From what I know leaves don't hold a lot of moisture so you have to mix it with other water holding amendments like coconut husks and the like. Anyway, I'm just learning and will keep you all updated on my progress.
Wish me and my worms luck!!!
A week ago, I had the opportunity to attend a UH Extension Composting worm workshop and got FREE composting worms.
I've been wanting to get some of these wrigglers for almost 2 years now and finally, I took the time to attend and got what I wanted.
So, I just wanted to share and document with you all my very first worm adventure.
When I first introduced my worms to their new environment it didn't seem as if they were enjoying themselves. In fact, I thought I was killing them and felt a little disheartened.
Then, today, I decided to take a look at them again after 2 days of not disturbing them and Bammm! There they are, even baby ones. I'm so excited! I feel like I want more.
So, what I'm doing is building a larger worm bin area, this time made of wood. As my first one is made of those plastic ones you see written about all over the internet.
I'm also researching to find out if these kinds of worms live in leaves. From what I know leaves don't hold a lot of moisture so you have to mix it with other water holding amendments like coconut husks and the like. Anyway, I'm just learning and will keep you all updated on my progress.
Wish me and my worms luck!!!
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