How I Start A New Worm Bin & 6 Day Check In! | Vermicompost Worm Farm
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- Опубліковано 28 чер 2024
- Start a new worm bin in 5 easy steps! Plus what it should look like 6 days later! Start making natural organic fertilizer for your garden & get rid of your food scraps & cardboard waste by composting with worms; I'll teach you how.
In this video I show you everything you need to know to get started including setup & feeding and then I take you along as I check on the worms 6 days later and add a 2nd bigger feeding. If you haven't started a worm bin yet, watch this video to get the confidence to start a worm bin now!!
Epigeic worms or composting worms are fascinating natural composters & fertilizers that are in most homesteaders bag of tricks to make free organic fertilizer & soil amendments as well as fishing bait. If you've ever thought about vermicomposting or composting with worms to make organic fertilizer & natural soil amendments with your plant based kitchen scraps or food waste, this is the channel for you. I have 3 worm composing bins which you can watch from start to finished worm castings on the 3 playlists following each worm bin. If you haven't started yet, get started now and vermicompost with me!🪱🪱🪱 Visit my Channel at / vermicompostlearnbydoing
Happy Vermicomposting Everyone!!!🪱🪱🪱
Below are some of the items I use for vermicomposting & my channel's videos. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you if you use these links. Thank you for supporting this channel!
Worm Bins I use:
Vermihut 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin amzn.to/3Xs1eGe
Urban Worm Bag V2 amzn.to/3XE9QsT
20 Gallon Fabric Grow Pots amzn.to/3EBYhdr
3 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck tote amzn.to/3eKDLhO
Other Worm Bins:
Worm Factory 360 3-Tray Version amzn.to/3AHnjqK
Worm Factory 360 5-Tray Version amzn.to/3tYfWY4
Bus bins amzn.to/3fd8AvP
Equipment I use:
12 Sheet Cross Cut Micro Shredder (I use it to shred cardboard) amzn.to/3xYZKYu
Magic Bullet Small Blender (to pulverize egg shells) amzn.to/3gwEzb4
Worms Red Wiggler mixes amzn.to/3yGNhwl & amzn.to/3R5tKvD
ENC's amzn.to/4bXN5XP
Indoor Outdoor Wireless Thermometer for worm bin amzn.to/3wIdXbO
Additional thermometer sensors 433 MHz amzn.to/41juD7v Please make sure Thermometer & sensor are the same MHz
Additional thermometer sensors 915MHz amzn.to/3WTFgua Please make sure Thermometer & sensor are the same MHz
Kitchen scale to weigh worms & food: amzn.to/3HnOQjg
Blue gloves amzn.to/3XsBg5n
Spray bottles to mist bedding amzn.to/3Fq23rN
Digital handheld Thermometer amzn.to/3EWfC2j
Compost Tea Bags amzn.to/3fCb5o1
Solar powered light amzn.to/3nOucAq
Reusable Keurig Coffee K-cups amzn.to/3FNXvt6
Other useful equipment for worm farming:
5 stackable sifter with different sized mesh: amzn.to/3S2k184
Cameras & camera equipment I use:
GoPro HERO11 amzn.to/3jkRpLa
Flexible Tripod amzn.to/3CGTjcF
Insta360 GO 2 camera amzn.to/3oxCc80
Insta360 One X2 camera amzn.to/3nqV6hp
iPhone 13 Max Pro amzn.to/3nq52aU
Canon EOS Rebel T8i amzn.to/3HcBuX6
4 Ocean bracelets I wear
Multiple colors to chose from bracelets amzn.to/3HMbHEx
Books on worms & worm farming
Worms Eat My Garbage amzn.to/3L4FXN2
Where to buy worms: www.TheGardenAndWormLady.com or northeastworms.com
#Vermicompost #wormfarm #DIYwormbin #redwigglers #selfsufficiency #homesteading #vermiculture #wormcastings #baitworms #wormbin #compostworms #compost
00:00 | Intro 5 steps to starting a worm bin
00:08 | Step 1
00:44 | Step 2
01:43 | Step 3
02:39 | Step 4
04:01 | Step 5
04:35 | Worm time lapse
05:45 | Recap 5 steps to start a new worm bin
06:14 | Checkin 6 days later
07:00 | Did they eat the food?
08:00 | Worms all through the bin!
09:09 | New bigger feeding
09:42 | Adding amendments
10:23 | Key to starting a new worm bin
11:00 | Wrap up
Below are some of the items I use for vermicomposting & my channel's videos. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you if you use these links. Thank you for supporting this channel!
Worm Bins I use:
Vermihut 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin amzn.to/3Xs1eGe
Urban Worm Bag V2 amzn.to/3XE9QsT
20 Gallon Fabric Grow Pots amzn.to/3EBYhdr
3 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck tote amzn.to/3eKDLhO
Other Worm Bins:
Worm Factory 360 3-Tray Version amzn.to/3AHnjqK
Worm Factory 360 5-Tray Version amzn.to/3tYfWY4
Bus bins amzn.to/3fd8AvP
Equipment I use:
12 Sheet Cross Cut Micro Shredder (I use it to shred cardboard) amzn.to/3xYZKYu
Magic Bullet Small Blender (to pulverize egg shells) amzn.to/3gwEzb4
Indoor Outdoor Wireless Thermometer for worm bin amzn.to/3wIdXbO
Additional thermometer sensors 433 MHz amzn.to/41juD7v Please make sure Thermometer & sensor are the same MHz
Additional thermometer sensors 915MHz amzn.to/3WTFgua Please make sure Thermometer & sensor are the same MHz
Kitchen scale to weigh worms & food: amzn.to/3HnOQjg
Blue gloves amzn.to/3XsBg5n
Spray bottles to mist bedding amzn.to/3Fq23rN
Digital handheld Thermometer amzn.to/3EWfC2j
Compost Tea Bags amzn.to/3fCb5o1
Solar powered light amzn.to/3nOucAq
Reusable Keurig Coffee K-cups amzn.to/3FNXvt6
Other useful equipment for worm farming:
5 stackable sifter with different sized mesh: amzn.to/3S2k184
Cameras & camera equipment I use:
GoPro HERO11 amzn.to/3jkRpLa
Flexible Tripod amzn.to/3CGTjcF
Insta360 GO 2 camera amzn.to/3oxCc80
Insta360 One X2 camera amzn.to/3nqV6hp
iPhone 13 Max Pro amzn.to/3nq52aU
Canon EOS Rebel T8i amzn.to/3HcBuX6
4 Ocean bracelets I wear
Multiple colors to chose from bracelets amzn.to/3HMbHEx
Books on worms & worm farming
Worms Eat My Garbage amzn.to/3L4FXN2
Where to buy worms: www.TheGardenAndWormLady.com or northeastworms.com
I have a 360 worm tower, but I also bought some 7 gallon tubs at HomeDepot, they were inexpensive. I’m thinking of: ONLY drilling holes at one end of the tub, long side or short side. The reason I’m thinking of doing that is, so that I can dump out the tub without dirt falling out of the holes. I mean, how many holes do they need?
@@peggywaters2589 That sounds like a great set up!! My VermiHut trays have 1600 holes each!! Soooo I would say the more holes the merrier but if you put too many it may really degrade the structural integrity of the bin. So more than 10 and less than 100??!? I would go one size down from 1/4 inch holes or 1/4 inch if that is all you have. Too small and the worms won't travel up and down. The castings should be a little damp and stick to themselves so I wouldn't worry about too much spillage. Thanks so much for dropping in too watch!!🪱🪱🪱
I sell worms in New Zealand. I'm going to direct buyers to this video because it really is the best video I've seen for beginners. It's clear and concise and encouraging. Thank you!
Thank you!! I really appreciate the great feedback!! If you want, throw your website down in the comment here so our New Zealand viewers know where to get worms! Thanks so much for your support!! (One of my dreams is to visit New Zealand!!)🪱🪱🪱
You’re compromising your business lol. I used to sell worms to a fishing club or to random people I met when I was out fishing.
It literally allowed me to buy whatever I wanted in my late teen years, it funded my car modifications and everything😂.
I only stopped when I moved in with my girlfriend and got full time employment. It’s seriously profitable. I had a full on industrial set up. The bottom of an oil storage tank that I sawed in half. I would get all the neighbours food scraps and made money collecting leaves in the autumn.
You had to fill it up with 3kgs of fresh stuff weekly because the worms went through the stuff so fast.
I’ve never got easier money in my life.
@@wokevirushandsanitzer5300could you detail your setup?
@@wokevirushandsanitzer5300 That's awesome!! I wish I had gotten started when I was a kid!! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱
I am gonna be in the market for worms very soon please leave me a link. So I can see what ya got
I started my worm bin by letting tap water sit in a bucket (no rain water) for a couple of days then added the shredded cardboard and coca coir. I then froze a banana peel, and a apple core and buried it in the cardboard and added a scoop of dirt from my vegetable garden, blended egg shells on top of the fruit. I then let it sit for a week with the cover on. I then ordered my 1000 worms and put them in probably a week and a half later. The worms ate the fruit in 3-4 days, with no mite or other bug problems. Im excited to see how your new worm bin progress. Thanks for the vids!
Now that sounds like an awesome marinated & inoculated worm bin bedding starter!! Compost worms really get a jump start from bedding filled with microbes and aged damp bedding & food!! Thanks for sharing how you started your worms out right!! And of course thanks for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
One of easiest videos for beginners so far I've ever seen! Never done this before but I may try out thanks to your video. Thank you!
Thank you!! I really appreciate the kind words!! Vermicomposting is so fun, I think you will love watching your food scraps & cardboard/paper waste turn into plant food!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Good morning, Patrick, from Windermere, Florida zone 9b 🇺🇸 ❤
Your channel is on fire 🔥, My Dear 🎉👍
This video is excellent 👌
You really are a great teacher ❤🪱❤️
❤Peggy❤
Thank you so much Peggy!! I really appreciate all the support and encouragement you have given me on my journey!! Thank you for taking the time to watch a video that I know you are an expert on!!!🪱🪱🪱
Привет из Сибири от калифорнийских червяков, которые третий год живут в квартире и перерабатывают всю органику моей семьи!❤🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱
Привет из Сибири!! Я так рада, что вы нашли наш канал и можете поделиться тем, как поживают ваши червячки!! Мне нравится слышать о том, как другие люди выращивают и поддерживают свои контейнеры для червей! Большое спасибо за просмотр наших видео!🪱🪱🪱
Good morning wormie friend!! 🪱🪱🪱 awesome tips!! I have to admit, when first setting up a worm bin the temptation to over feed at the beginning is there! Initially I remember thinking they might be super hungry but I can see it would encourage issues from the word go! I’ve learnt from you less is more 😅 like you say, they do eat that bedding so they won’t go hungry….. awesome video Patrick, super helpful for new and old worm farmers!! Hope your weeks going great guys xx 🌻🌸🌷💓💐
Good Morning Anita!!!! That's a perfect word for it...temptation!! We all want what we think is best for them so we're trying to give them nourishment and since we can't see what they're doing we are tempted to keep giving more!!! They must be hungry right??!? I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!! Thanks so much for all your wonderful support!! I hope you have a wonderful day and upcoming weekend!!🪱🪱🪱
Loving the public notice of service over the worms. They gotta know too.
😂🤣😂 I always try to check the newspapers I put in to make sure there are not some odd advertisements or news stories...You made my day because now I know people do notice!! And yes the worms should know about the public meetings going on around here!! Thanks so much for watching and for the good laugh!!🪱🪱🪱
Excellent step by step guide!
Thank you!! I'm so glad you liked it!! I appreciate all your support!!🪱🪱🪱
Easy simple great!!!
Thanks!! I appreciate the great feed back!! Thanks so much for tuning in!!🪱🪱🪱
Wow this is awesome, we get a great tutorial and information on everything you will need. thanks for all your hard work and excellent videos.
Thanks so much for the kind words!! We appreciate you noticing how much work goes into making our videos!! Thanks for all your support & of course thanks for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Great video ! Thanks for sharing 🙏
Thank you!! I appreciate you taking the time to watch & pass on the kind words!!🪱🪱🪱
Good overview to help beginners get the gist of how simple it is to get started with worm farming 👍🏻
Thanks AV!! I really appreciate that coming from whom many of us consider to be the Godfather of Worm videos!! Thanks for dropping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱
Keep the great content coming VLbD!
Great video for starting a new bin…detailed but simple step by step set up. I’ve watched so many worm compost bin videos that my head is spinning, but this makes it clear and easy to understand. I have his exact same bin at home, so thank you!!
Thank you!! I'm so glad our video has been helpful!! I love this Tiny Bin and it is so convenient to use...but it may make you want more worm bins😂🤣😂 Worm farming is so fun! Thanks so much for the kind words and thanks for watching!🪱🪱🪱
Great video, and info Thank you very much👍💚🪱✌
Thanks so much for the great feedback!! I appreciate you taking the time to watch & comment!!🪱🪱🪱
super helpful!! thanks
Awesome!! I'm so glad you found it helpful!! Thanks so much for watching and passing on the good feedback!!🪱🪱🪱
Thanks for the video amd the info. Im gonna give you a shout out
Thank you!! I appreciate your support and kind words!!🪱🪱🪱
Great video.👍🏻🤠💪💗🪱
Thanks Nick!! I appreciate the support!!🪱🪱🪱
Good lecture.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Thanks so much for stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱
Здравствуйте! Очень даже не плохо! 👍👍👍
Спасибо! я очень ценю это!🪱🪱🪱
Nice new Playlist, brother ;)
This is exactly what I envisioned for a "how to" video, perfect. It's good to see how simple it can be if you are mindful of each step.
Great seeing them right throughout the bin.
Excellent!!
Cheers J&C 🪱🌱🪱🤜🤛
Great suggestion!! Been up for a couple weeks and is doing great! Thanks for the good words!! The worms were nice & cozy 6 days later!! I appreciate all your awesome input!!🪱🪱🪱
@Vermicompost Learn by Doing How did i miss that... THE SHAME 🤣🤣
Btw it's super small but I wish playlists were newest to oldest, not the other way around. C'mon Yubtub!!
@@clivesconundrumgarden I think the newest playlist appears on top and they are ordered newest video first oldest video buried really deep😂Is that what it looks lik to you?
@Vermicompost Learn by Doing the Playlists are in that order, but the list of vids in Playlist is oldest to newest ?
That hurt to try to explain lol.
Might be on my end ???
Interesting....I have the default set to newest on top down to oldest, but there is a sort button (upper left of the first video on playlist) both on desktop and mobile where the viewer can sort it. It showed up newest to oldest when I checked the channel through my computer and phone...maybe at one time they got sorted oldest to newest and YT remembered that?? I'll check some other known subscribers to see how it sorts for them...thanks for bringing this up!!
One thing I would change, if starting my tower over again, not put banana in at the start. I used the food that came with them for the first few days, but had been told by someone else to give them Bananas, because they're a fast, and slow food that they love. Since I use these out in the garden, it made sense, but it just caused an immediate mite bloom. The only thing I could do was use the skins as traps to get them out, because we don't eat bread. It's been a steep learning curve coming from heaps to a tower lol
I see a lot of people butting banana peels in on the first feeding and I've just had better luck holding off until I know they are settled. The peels can linger for a while (which is why the mites love them so much) so I think it's best to wait as well!! Thanks for sharing your experience with banana peels so we all can learn what might happen!! And of course thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
after the soil is compost - what happens to the worms - do we let them die in the soil ?
Great question! You can sift the castings to get the worms out like in this video: ua-cam.com/video/tI--M5E-oKg/v-deo.html or pick them out individually like in this video: ua-cam.com/video/uH3xPs9T5s0/v-deo.html But I don't recommend that😂 or you can feed on one side to attract all the worms to one area then pull them out. But either way you definitely want to harvest your vermicompost and reuse the worms for the next round. I hope this helps! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Thank you for this. I can see now that i have been over feeding my worms. I have recently started a Bokashi bin and hopefully that will take some of the pressure off my worms.
That's a great idea! Sometimes I have to put food scraps in my regular compost. Once the bins get going and the microbial & worm populations increase significantly, they can take a lot more food scraps...but never as much as I want/need them to eat!! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost you are welcome. You have a new subscriber in Ireland.
Awesome, thank you!! Most of my family heritage is from Ireland!!
What are your thoughts on peat moss or vermiculite for bedding? I also add Bokashi sometimes to the worm bin to help speed things up.
I think peat moss is alright, but I would save the vermiculite as an ingredient for your soil mixture along with the finished castings. In general I don't like to buy bedding or food specifically for my worm bins but if I have some ingredients like peat moss lying around or unused I see no issues adding it to my bin. That's good to hear you add some Bokashi. I have heard some people use it in their worm bins and some say they had issues so I think it maybe in how it is prepped before it goes in, correct? Thanks so much for watching and asking a great question!!🪱🪱🪱
Great video. They are going to be fat n happy real soon .
Thanks Dirty Joe!! I think they are off to a good start!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!🪱🪱🪱
Exemplary Instructional Video.
Thanks so much Joe!! I appreciate the great feedback!!🪱🪱🪱
I have a paper shredder that shreds round pieces, can I use those along with potting soil from lowes? Thanks so much. Scott
Hi Scott! The paper shreds sound good, some cardboard shreds mixed in will help it to not mat down and prevents it from sticking together. You could maybe put a handful of potting soil in to try to get a little microbial life in there, but depending on what kind of potting soil it is, you might find a lot of wood chips or even fertilizers that aren't real helpful for a worm bin. I think a handful of your garden soil from outside or better yet from a compost pile would be better, but you might bring in some critters from outside. Theres no wrong way to get things started when using natural ingredients other than overfeeding...that is what causes the most problems with new worm bins and it is a result of us over loving our worms and thinking they need a lot food! I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Thank you. It is Scott's organic soil from Lowes. I just want to do this right. Do I need a big tote or what size do you recommend?
You do not need a big tote nor the soil. I would recommend maybe a 1-2 ft by 2-3 ft tote or a 20 gallon grow bagua-cam.com/video/rbwk8ziBxuU/v-deo.html to get started or if you don't mind spending a little money, a VermiHut Worm Tower: ua-cam.com/video/g5Sag75OAXY/v-deo.html I have links for various worm bins in the description & pinned comment of all my videos. Chances are you probably have a container around the house or garage you can use as a worm bin. I would start with 1,000 red wiggles and just be sure not to overfeed them!
Great video! I notice you don't have any drain holes in the bottom. Do you not think its necessary?
Thank you! This is my only bin that does not have the ability to drain. I have a VermiHut worm tower: ua-cam.com/play/PLimznaPXKV0_jVcRI9rI5xnbAFqNP3WZ_.html an Urban Worm Bag: ua-cam.com/play/PLimznaPXKV09Jg8S3xp-08eOoTN21S2Q1.html and an Outdoor Worm Bin made of fabric pots: ua-cam.com/play/PLimznaPXKV08Y-7OifhRa_JBH0b5-nR-O.html I live in Florida and it is very humid so I rarely have to add moistures so I tend not to accidently over water it. I also use a lot of bedding to control the moisture so in general I don't think it is necessary to have drain holes but drain holes do make it easier to control moisture for beginner bins. I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
I didnt see where u buy the mesh screen. Or even a description if its like window screen or something stronger
Sorry about that! Any mesh screen or screen porch repair kit will do. You want it to be firm, so not netting. I hope that helps! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Really nice video. Everything you need to know, but short and straight to the point. Are these all Eisenia fetida worms? Red wigglers is their common name. I want to get feeders out of the worm bins, so I have to go for Eisenia hortensis / Dendrobaena veneta / Dendrobaena hortensis. Any experience with those? Probably less feeding, as they're slower in everything.
Thank you!! I appreciate the kind words!! I have a couple of bins of pure "Red Wigglers". I believe this bin ua-cam.com/play/PLimznaPXKV09y9X94Q4aNpNzwUoLoVXug.html is Eisenia andrei (they are slightly darker) and the other bin ua-cam.com/play/PLimznaPXKV08Y-7OifhRa_JBH0b5-nR-O.html is Eisenia fetida. My understanding is they were once thought to be the same species until the 1980's but we all just lump them in together as red wigglers...they certainly behave the same as far as great temperature range and huge eaters of food scraps and bedding for me! I don't have any "European Night Crawlers" (Eisenia hortensis / Dendrobaena veneta / Dendrobaena hortensis) yet...I'm constantly working on my wife to let me have even more worm bins😂 I hear so many great things about them! But the compost worm I really want next, due to my warm humid climate here in Tampa, Florida is African Night Crawlers (Eudrilus eugeniae)!! I also have a lot of cardboard and I know they prefer higher carbon diets. Thanks so much for stopping by to watch and comment!! It's so much fun to hear from folks that know a lot about compost worms & vermicomposting!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost The Eisenia andrei is another one I'm interested in. Hard to get for me as a single species. Usually shops are offering either E. hortensis, E. fetida or a mix of hortensis, fetida and andrei. As you said, they were basically one for a long time and usually can only be 100% identified through microscopic examination. I'm in Europe, so testing every native worm you encounter is a bit of a hassle. But the andrei would have the potential to be a fast breeder as well as lacking the defensive liquid that fetida has, which makes them a food basically no animal likes. The African ones would be really interesting to see. Only heard good things about them, aside from the needed temperatures, which shouldn't be an issue in Florida. Try to get a deal with more or less local hobby fishers or other composting nerds, like in farmers markets. Wives tend to be okay with a hobby if it makes a little extra income lol. I'm subbing, sounds like you have interesting plans for the future
😂🤣😂That's a great point...Wives tend to be ok with a hobby if it makes a little extra income. That is a good idea, I would definitely like to get my African Night Crawlers from a local hobbiest or farmers market. Thanks so much for the Sub!!
*꧁ 🔐 Благодарю 👌 ꧂*
Большое спасибо за просмотр моего видео!!🪱🪱🪱
Curious, you start with 100% cardboard without peat moss or coco coir? Those add to the expense so great if can do without
Yes, 100% cardboard. I try to run my worm bins with as little to no cost as possible. I did purchase my VermiHut and Urban Worm Bag which were not cheap, but I have two other worm bins that were free or just reused containers. But from there on out I have not spent money on my worms! That to me is the best thing about composting with worms...free fertilizer and soil amendments for life!! Thanks so much for watching Chris!!🪱🪱🪱
Great videos! I have my first bin going and seemingly going well after I figured out that it was getting to hot with the top on (cover with a cardboard box now)
What I DO have an issue with is TONS of tiny white bugs (mites?). Any way to control those or just let them be??? Thanks!
So great to hear your first worm bin is going well!! The white bin critters are most likely mites if they move without jumping, or springtails if they move & jump. Both are helpful in a worm bin in small balanced numbers. If you start to notice a huge population bloom, then the worm bin might be slightly too moist & acidic/overfed. The best way to get their populations back under control is to add more bedding (and add bedding with every feeding until you are close to harvest) and to feed less. Maybe even skip a feeding. If you want to speed things up you can add a small piece of moist bread on the surface and leave it there for 2-3 hours. When you check on it, you will probably see it covered in mites...just throw it away and replace it and check on it again in 2-3 hours...make sure not to accidentally leave it overnight or you'll just be feeding them and helping them reproduce😀 I hope this helps!! Thanks so much fro watching & telling us about your new worm bin!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost thanks! I tried the bread but left for a couple days haha. Ah yes, I think the bedding/moistness is probably the issue. Had been using leaves but am planning to switch to shredded paper bags/cardboard which seems to work amazing. Good tips on the frozen food too! Do you dry/bake your coffee grounds? Mine seem to just mold when I collect them 🤷🏻♂️
Thank you! I don't dry the used coffee grounds on purpose, I put them in a container on my kitchen counter until it is time to use them. The worms eat the mold and the mold helps to break down the coffee grounds so I don't mind the mold being on there at all! But I do sometime put a lid on it so I'm not spreading the mold spores in my kitchen! I find it tends to naturally dry a little when I have the lid off.
Thanks so much! The bedding definitely helped! Ran a bunch of paper bags and Amazon packing paper through our micro crosscut shredder at work! I have a new process now and think it's better than the leaves I was using!
Awesome!!
Hi! Thanks for all the great info. I’m curious, do you think it’s necessary to purchase worm food with the worms when first starting out? I just purchased worms but I didn’t add food to the order. Will that be okay??
Hello Colleen! No need to buy food for the worms at all. In fact I'd say after you purchase the worms & bin (or use a DIY bin) that will be the last money you spend specifically for them! Start with something easy for them to eat and barely feed them that first time or two. A few previously frozen strawberry tops or a very small piece of previously frozen cantaloupe or watermelon will do. After the first couple of once a week feedings, you can slowly up the amount of food if they ate the last feeding completely. And always add bedding with each feeding! Shredded cardboard boxes work better than paper by a mile!! Good luck, I'm so excited for you!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I appreciate all the info you’ve shared.
My pleasure!
Hi, just wondering why you leave the bin open for 48 hours after setting it up. I'd also like to know if you'd have to do the same when setting up a worm tower for the first time. Thanks!
I could have missed it in the video. If so, sorry about that :)
Great question!! Many times the worms are a little dazed & confused when they get shipped, so their natural tendency is to wander until they realize they are in the most hospitable conditions ever!! A couple of things give them boundaries, both in nature and in a worm bin: dryness and light. When you leave a light on for 48 hours, as soon as they stick their little heads up out of the bedding they will experience both light and dryness which will keep them down below...after 48 hours they get the idea of where they should be, then dryness will be all it takes to keep them in. Sometimes lids can lock in moisture on the sides of the bin, giving the worms an avenue to explore more...which is why sometime a really moist bin with a lid has worms crawling up the sides or on the lid. Lots of people run their systems without lids, just a little newspaper and plastic to keep the middle out to the edges moist. A worm tower is very moist all over the inside and keeps the bin in perfect moisture conditions in my opinion...but the lids are usually very tight fitting with small holes that really blast the worms with dry air when they stick their little heads out. But I still like to leave the lid off when I start a worm tower to reinforce their behavior. No matter what, when you have a worm tower some worms will crawl along the inside, but they do not escape because of the dryness outside of the bin. A little long explanation but I hope it helps!!! Thanks so much for watching & asking a great question!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost thanks for the full explanation! This is very helpful!!
@@notsoamericangirl2568 My pleasure!!
Why do some people puts a lot of stuff in their beddings? I am confused which one to follow, you only use cardboards and water. I am a begginer and wants to start my worm bins for my garden.
Great question!! Damp shredded cardboard and worms are all you need to start a worm bin. Everything else is just nice to haves but not needed. Microbes, mites and other worm bin critters help the worms break up the food and cardboard but the worms will have enough microbes on their bodies. A handful of worm castings, soil or other things are not necessary to get things started if you don't have any of those extras. Here is another video to show that you can get a worm bin started easily without anything extra to add: ua-cam.com/video/UsH3k92KhYg/v-deo.html I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for watching, feel free to ask any questions on any of my videos as you start your worm farming journey!!🪱🪱🪱
Are you just raising worms for how would you get the castings out
I like to raise compost worms mostly to get the organic fertilizer that comes with the vermicompost they produce, but I also like the fact that I have seen a huge reduction in our garbage and food waste that I put out in the trash! I also make worm casting tea to spread over our garden and lawn! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Great video! I was pickings worms from under some old carpet to go fishing. They are very active snake like (they aren't tho) are these red wigglers I have never seen worms so active hard to hold onto. So I started a worm bed before I think of buying a pound of worms... I live on the lake might be someone has dump fishing worms. Thanks
Thank you!! I think European Night Crawlers or ENC's are probably the better fishing worm, so that would be my guess if they are bait worms that someone dumped out. If they are bunched up together then that's even more of an indicator that the are composting worms not ordinary garden worms that don't really do well in a worm bin for composting. I think gathering some up and giving it a try is a great idea!! I'm actually about to release a video that talks about a few ways you can get worms ranging from free to buying worms online to be delivered to your door. Now is actually a good time to purchase if you are wanting a big jump start because it will not be too hot or cold to ship them. Thanks so much for stopping by to watch and tell us about your awesome worm find!!🪱🪱🪱
I’ve been trying to find a small tote like that. All I can find are the clear ones. Think the clear will be a bad idea?
Here is an amazon affiliate link to the one I use: 3 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck tote amzn.to/3eKDLhO It looks like this one is blue. If you already have a clear one it can work, but the worms may stay away form the edges especially during the day. You could keep it in a dark place after initially keeping it in a well lighted room for several days to help them get settled. I hope this helps! I have amazon affiliate links in the pinned comment and description of all my videos if you want to check out all the equipment I use. Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
@vermicompost so you think a clear plastic one will work fine as long as I can keep it in the dark? I have lots of clear totes. Just didn’t want to drop $18 on another bin if I’ve already got some. I found one at Walmart for $8 but it was a super hard plastic and I didn’t think I could cut holes in the sides for air without it cracking. Currently I’ve got my worms in a 5 gallon bucket, but it has a narrow surface area and it’s so tall, hard to work in when adding bedding and food.
I also notice many will crawl up the sides and be around the rim of the bucket when I open it. I don’t keep the bedding too moist, or too dry, it’s in a good temperature location (inside my 70 degree home) and I feed them enough but not too much. Not sure why. Is that normal? I only have one air vent on the very top of the bucket. Could they be needing more air?
I definitely think a clear tote in the dark will work just fine! The worms are most likely crawling up the sides because of moisture on the sides. They love to take advantage of condensation to go exploring. Like you said, having vents will help that out enormously! More airflow will keep the condensation down and with less surface area between the surface of the bedding and lid when you switch to your totes, there will be less condensation and dripping moisture to get the worms excited to travel!!
@@Vermicompost thank you, sounds good. I appreciate it.
Im lucky, I don't have to order worms. I have oodles of them in my yard.
That's fantastic!! Any you can pick out of a compost pile are even better since they are sure to be epigeic earthworms such as red wigglers that do extremely well in worm bins! Here is a video on how I get free worms myself: ua-cam.com/video/w1GMc5-RRbk/v-deo.html Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Can you use cocopeat to replace carton shreed...? 🤔🤔🤔
Yes you can. I used some that came with my VermiHut but I prefer to use shredded cardboard because I have cardboard in abundance, it is free and the worms break it down relatively quickly and I can tell when it is still present in the worm bins. I couldn't always tell the difference between worm, castings and cocopeat at first. I hoep this helps!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Can you put dry leaves as carbon?
Dry leaves are a fantastic carbon source, especially if you crumble them up for them. Cardboard will absorb water faster and break down a little quicker so you might want to start out with a mix of both to get things going! Dry leaves may also bring in some unwanted critters from outside, but most worm bins are an ecosystem of worms along with small populations of mites, springtails and pot worms. I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Can you use pine straw as bedding?
Yes, you can! I would not use it as the sole bedding especially in a new bin becuase it takes a long time to break down, but check out these videos where I am conducting a long term experiment with pine needles in my Outdoor Worm Bin: starting it out ua-cam.com/video/VM_6wACc1zM/v-deo.html and several months later ua-cam.com/video/FUQVatBjyJA/v-deo.html Thanks so much for the great question and of course thanks for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Does it really matter if the bins are good safe? I’m using recycled #4 Rubbermaid bins. Is this all good?
In my opinion, no...but that's just me! I wouldn't use them if they have had toxic chemicals stored in them prior, but I have an off the shelf rubbermaid tote I use. Compost worms are actually used to detoxify soil that has been contaminated, so I'm not too worried about using my vermicompost/worm castings in my vegetable garden. I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for watching Rick!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost thks for the reply. I’ve got 2 bins going and want to start more. Learning so much. Keep doing all the great videos. 👍.
How do you get rid of the worm poo and pee?
Surely the pee will build up in the bottom of the tub?
In order to use the worm pee & poo for fertilizer in my garden I just pluck out the worms like in this video: ua-cam.com/video/uH3xPs9T5s0/v-deo.html but I also sift out the worm castings (worm pee & poo) in my bigger bins like in this video: ua-cam.com/video/rbwk8ziBxuU/v-deo.html Using lots of shredded cardboard bedding or dry leaves will help with moisture contol. The best thing about raising compost worms is the fertilizer and soil conditioner they give you in the form of worm castings (thier poo/pee) I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Do all your worm bins that small? I am surprised that you use a 2-gallon size container. I am looking for something smaller than the 27-gallon size I am using right now, but I feel that it's too deep, and I am utilizing all the real estate to the max. Never thought of the 2-gallon size, thinking that's too small.
Great question! Besides this Tiny Worm Bin I have a VernmiHut Worm Tower ua-cam.com/play/PLimznaPXKV0_jVcRI9rI5xnbAFqNP3WZ_.html a 20 gallon Outdoor Worm Bin made of two 20 gallon fabric pots ua-cam.com/play/PLimznaPXKV08Y-7OifhRa_JBH0b5-nR-O.html and an Urban Worm Bag ua-cam.com/play/PLimznaPXKV09Jg8S3xp-08eOoTN21S2Q1.html I think A worm tower like my VermiHut might work well for you or a shallow Rubbermaid tote which are about the size of a bus bin they use in restaurants, but with a lid. I have multiple videos on all mu bins which may help you decide which size is right for you!! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch & welcome to my channel!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost thank you. I'll look into your other videos.
hi, why is it okay to put moldy coffee grounds in? thanks
Great question!! Coffee beans are a great source of nitrogen and other nutrients and are just another food source for them. They are not required for a healthy worm bin but since I drink coffee, I'd rather feed them to my worms than throw them in the trash. I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and ask a great question!!🪱🪱🪱
He mentioned in another video that if the coffee grounds are moldy then it means they're already starting to break down which means it's easier for the worms to digest/eat.
Thanks Jenna...I missed the mark on answering the question!! Yes mold means the coffee grounds are starting to break down making it easier for the worms to eat/digest both the grounds & the mold!! Thanks so much for the assist & for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Great job helping out new worm farmers. 🪱
Thanks AJ!!! I appreciate the great feedback from an expert!!🪱🪱🪱
Just add that many fail at first using mini micro systems. Your worm bin needs to be really LARGE so the worms can move in and out of differen temperature zones to wet to dry ect...
My worm bin is a meter square. Never have any problems at all!
Yes! Larger systems with lots of worms are much more forgiving! It is much harder to overfeed a larger system because, like you said, the worms can come in out of the different areas. Unfortunately that is not always an option for folks in apartments or other small living spaces. Thanks so much for passing this tip on and of course thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
What is the next video to watch to follow this bin?
Here is the follow up video: ua-cam.com/video/8qYPJaz6aMQ/v-deo.html and here is the playlist for my Tiny Worm Bin: ua-cam.com/play/PLimznaPXKV09y9X94Q4aNpNzwUoLoVXug.html You can watch the start, harvest and restart of this worm bin several times over through this playlist! Thanks so much for taking the time to watch!!🪱🪱🪱
Is it okay to put worm bin Indoor...? Because I started to vermicomposting a month ago and I put it outdoor... The food scraps completely decomposed but no worms left...
Yes! In fact I have two indoor worm bins and they do fantastic! No odor and the worms thrive. If you are having trouble keeping worms, maybe try the worm bin in doors and be sure to feed it just a little bit of food at first. Sometimes a bin can get too wet or less likely too dry but I think you will have good luck this next time around!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost Okay, Thank you...
Is it OK to use shredded paper with ink?
I prefer to use shredded cardboard or shredded cardboard with some shredded paper mixed in as I find paper tends to mat down in my bins...But shredded paper with ink is ok to use in your worm bins. By the 1970's most inks went to soy or other vegetable based dyes. If the ink is glossy, like cereal boxes, then it has some clay mixed in to get that sheen. It can also be used in worm bins...but it will take a long time to break down as the worms attack the other bedding and food scraps first. I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
My worm bin had this tiny brown spherical beetle looking bug. Covered in them. Also these white bug that's is water repellent. How do I get rid of them?😢
Great question! Here are some common bin critters...If they are teeny tiny, a little bigger than the dot at the end of this sentence, then they are most likely mites...which are helpful bin critters that shred the bedding and food scraps. If they are about half the size as your pinky fingernail then they might be rolly polly's or pill bugs which are also helpful bin critters. The white bugs are most likely mites or spring tails. You can do an internet search on these bugs to see if that is what you have. They are all helpful in a bin...but if there numbers get too big then it can be a sign that your bin is too wet or that there is too much food from an overfeeding situation. The cure to getting them back into normal numbers is to add more bedding and skip a feeding or two and feed less in the future. I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost thankyou so much for your reply! It's really helped narrow things down. They are definitely mites. I will add more coco coir.
@@littlehomeforest5972 Awesome!! Glad I could help!!
great information. my question why u use duct tape?
Thank you!! I actually built this at a Vermicomposting class at my county extension office and that was what they had for us. It has held up and attached the screen mesh covering the holes for 3 + years with no peeling so I am a big fan of using it versus glue or some other adhesive. I hope this helps! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
So what if you don't have a shredder 🤔
Great question! If you don't have a shredder, then I would use a mix of paper and cardboard and use scissors to slice it up as thin as possible and cut it again to make tiny tiny tiny squares. The more surface area the bedding has the better. I actually used scissors at first before I got brave enough to throw cardboard through my shredder! I hope this helps! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
So what's the point of feeding them if they are eating their bedding as is?
Great question! There are some types of compost worms like African nightcrawlers that feed primarily on the bedding, but the type I have in this bin, which are red wigglers, require both bedding and decaying organic material. They can go for a while on just betting if you have to skip a feeding or two, but I found that they start getting really exploratory as they are looking for more food scraps from me. Just like all living creatures, they are mostly made of carbon so it's essential that you have bedding, but they get everything else from the food scraps we put in there. I hope this helps! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost definitely! Appreciate the answer.
Bro i got after a vacation and my mother forgot to water the bin it dried out and all worms died... I rescued 4-5 worms from the little moisture at bottom and 10-15 eggs 😢 how should i re populate them... What medium to use... Its the start of summer here in India (30-35 degree C) and its watermelon season... So food is available.
And should i use a small bin initially or a big one??
That is good that all was not lost!! Those cocoons and the few worms left could repopulate a new bin with some time, but it would be even better if you could add some more worms into a new bin with them. If you take the steps I mention in this video but only use 1 strawberry top or 1 little piece of lettuce you will be able to revive your worm bin. Very small shredded cardboard or some coco coir will be good for bedding along with some of the contents of the current worm bin. Just make sure to feed them very little and I mean VERY LITTLE food. Yes, I think a smaller bin will be better initially so you can monitor how much they eat and if they are thriving. But if you want to get things going faster I would consider adding more compost worms. I hope this helps!! Good luck and thanks so much for watching form India my friend!!🪱🪱🪱
@@Vermicompost brother here in my area worms are not available very easily i got them in the vermicompost i bought.. Thats why couldn't add more but thanks for the guidance... Can i feed frozen watermelon peels they used to love it 🙏
Frozen watermelon peels are fantastic...but with only a few worms, feed them very little to start with. Good luck my friend!!
@@Vermicompost thanks
The simple way
Very easy for beginners for sure!! Thanks so much for taking the time to watch & comment!!🪱🪱🪱
I started my worm bin 2 days ago n found my worms died outside. Not sure they died because of too many food n heat or because of anything else :(
They have trouble in the dry air outside the bin so if the heat or overfeeding drove them out it can be a serious situation for them. I think less or no food and a room light left on overhead for 2-3 days will make a big difference to restarting your worms bin!! Don't give up!! I left some more tips in your comment on another video to help out. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch!!🪱🪱🪱
Yay a to the point frickin video hurray ni ahmm agghhh ahmmmmm hhhmmmmm ahmmm maybe???? Just straight to the point well done.
Thank you!! I really appreciate the good feedback!! I try to edit out the slow parts so I don't waste anyone's time! Thanks for stopping by to watch & comment!!🪱🪱🪱
What is the point of the duct tape?
The duct tape holds down the mesh I placed over the air holes to keep fruit flies, gnats or other insects out. It has been doing a great job over the last 2 + years even though there is high humidity in worm bins! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
😂🎉
I'm so glad you enjoyed our video!! Happy vermicomposting, thanks for watching!!🪱🪱🪱
Amendments! I always forget! 👍🏻🤠💪💗🪱
😂 The worms will forgive you!!🪱🪱🪱