I had problem of new bins and escaping worms until I tried spraying a little molasses and water on the bedding. It was like magic, no more jailbreaks from the worms now. Thank you!
This is a great video for someone getting started, no matter where they live! The molasses trick is one I will try because microbial life is REALLY what we’re after to feed our plants. A couple tricks I learned that you may enjoy..... 1. Add a 50/50 mix of neem cake/Karanja cake (or meal as we call it in the US. I will add about 2 cups per cubic foot of material I start with and then I’ll add some more every month. 2. Feed malted grains. We get these at home beer brewing stores but it’s also used as animal feed in some places. But whatever is cheapest. I usually get malted barley but it could be wheat, oats, rye, whatever. I grind up the whole grains in a coffee grinder to a coarse flour consistency. I also add malted grains to my soil. This will feed both microbes AND worms. I don’t know the science behind it but there is some very solid science behind the use of malted grains in soil and vermicomposting. You will be amazed at the growth and reproductive rates of your worms when you at a malted grain. It’s very inexpensive also. Even cheaper would be to sprout the grains yourself and then add them. But buying them as “malted” makes things even easier. Hope this helps and thanks for the great video!
I have learned so much from you, thank you. I had a 1-meter by 1-meter by 1-meter black compost bin I got 20 years ago. It never got hot so I put some worms in there. They did fine for years and I got plenty of castings until one day I fed them and I didn't see many. The next day they were zero worms left. I found 1 half of one. Quickly to Google and I suspect a vole found them and had a feast. I had recently split the bins so I still had a partial worm farm. So, this happened last year. When I went to turn the pile I have now, I saw about 1 dozen red wigglers back doing their job. The vole didn't get the eggs, haha.
Maam ek request aapse, aap ke videos kafi acche n helpful hai, vermicompost par agar aap hindi Me bhi video banaye to is se un logo ko bhi help hogi jo composting karna chahte hai but sahi guide nahi hai ,aajkal compost ko lekar logo Me kafi acchi soch developed ho rahi hai, agar aap apni poorani videos Me Hindi language add karoge to bohot aacha hoga. Please .
Another well prepared and interesting video. Thank you from the Philippines. My daughter ( 11years old ) and I are building our first bee hive and she is very excited to harvest her honey.
Big thumbs up from our worms over here lol. Excellent instructional video. Another useful byproduct of adding ground eggshells is they help prevent the the bin from becoming too acidic which the worms won't like. Very interesting you add molasses. I've never done this or even thought of it. I might try this in a bin and see what happens. I did laugh at the part where you were checking the worms every 5 minutes lol. It's so easy to do and I think every new worm farmer does it. I think it's a mixture of concern, excitement and curiosity lol. Also great to see the reminder not to over feed. I think that's one of the most common mistakes made. And it can induce protein poisoning in the worms. I really enjoyed this video. Very well made and done. Thanks for sharing.
Lol thank you from our worms as well !! Oh yes I remember reading about the ph issue especially when one is using peat moss for the bedding . The molasses work like magic ! It took us a good 2 months to stop intruding the worms privacy haha , we hounded them big time !! I am sure every new vermicomposter does it inspite of being warned :):). Yes the temptation to dump scraps has to be avoided , it is a disaster otherwise . Thank you once again for the positive feedback and glad you enjoyed the video !
Oh you are so right lol - we've all done it :) You're very welcome. I've been subbed to you for a while and I absolutely love your videos. So clear and well made and informative. It's also fascinating watching how the worms work in a climate so very different from ours over here. Thank you again and keep up the good work. Looking forward to the next update :)
Excellent video, I will try coco peat and cow manure, this is more beautiful for my red wigglers. I just started my worm factory and very open, learning more about vermicomposting. Thank you in sharing.
Thank you , hope your worm bin does great too . Worm factory is very similar , its 4 bins stacked one inside another . Do let me know how it goes and thanks for watching !
Thank you for your lovely videos and all the wonderful information you have learned and you pass on I'm just starting out with worms and you have helped me very much I just want to say thank you from Ireland ..bless you and yours
The best tutorial on how to make vermicompost. Thanx a lot for all the information. It was very useful. Do we really need to make so many holes or making 2 or 3 also does the job? If I make so many holes, is it not difficult to collect the liquid that oozes out. Beginner like me may overfeed resulting in excess liquid oozing out.
Hi Ramya . If you are doing this right there should not be any liquid coming out from the bottom . That happens when too much kitchen waste is added without adding browns along with the scraps . They call it vermiwash which I would never want to do even if I had a yard . There are around 25 videos in the vermicomposting playlist covering various topics , do watch when convenient Thank you 😊🙏
Can this be done in the summer in mumbai? And also where do you get the red wigglers for the bin kudos to you for this awesome video:) Edit: just read your description thank you
Hi , do see all the videos before you start so you are well prepared . Our heat can kill off worms very easily especially if one is new ( I am guilty of the same 😅) . Start mid July or August whenever you can get the worms . Good luck 👍 and thank you 😊.
You video is very descriptive and very. useful. One problem is that I started my new worm bin 45 days back. I notice that the worms has not increased in number. Just wondering what might be the reason. I put coconut coir,cow manure, eggs shells.
Thank you ! Worms usually double in numbers in 3 months if weather is favourable ( 18 to 25 C) .A brand new worm bin takes at least 2 to 3 months to become efficient because we are learning ourselves . Once we understand , we do everything correctly and hence there are no issues most of the time . In hot weather , worms do not multiply rapidly , you will see more worms once the weather cools . What about kitchen scraps ? Are you adding any now ? If it is too hot , add half done compost or just shredded carbboard and manure . It is a cycle - once worms increase in number , they will recycle larger quantity of kitchen scraps , the more scraps the more they multiply . But please wait for weather to cool before adding kitchen scraps or else heat can kill the worms .
Hello, I watched you two videos about composting. since long time I was in search of detail information about Vermicompost made at home. Thank you for sharing this information.
You are welcome ! This is the beginner video , there are 18 more videos on vermicomposting in my vermicomposting playlist on my channel covering various topics , you will find those helpful too .
Thanks for the detailed information about wormicomposting. You really are doing a fine job. your cats are delightful. your worms look chubby😄 and we'll bred.
Awesome how to video on worm composting. I'll be trying this for the first time over the winter months, so this helps a ton. Thank You! Take Care, Peaches :)
Thanks a tonne Peaches . Do let me know how it goes for you. Our weather would be just the reverse of yours in the winter . If you see my video on how to manage the worm bin in peak summer , you will need to do everything opposite of what I do . Here is a link to that video ua-cam.com/video/LwY5Y1rh4I8/v-deo.html .
Thank you very much for the positive feedback , I hope your friends enjoy the video and are motivated to try some form of composting . Best wishes from Mumbai, India:):).
Hey! I'm a Mumbaikar and have a very limited space but want to make my own compost bin. I've, after long days of begging, convinced my mom to let me make one but on the condition that it shouldn't smell. I've also never ever tried to compost previously so, being a first-timer I lack the knowledge for that, your videos help a lot! Also, can I make a bin out of a flower pot? Please tell!
Hi , did you see my latest video on composting ? Composting can be as simple and as complex as one wants it to be . I compost indoors and there is no smell , just follow brown green brown technique which I shared in my video . You can compost in any container that is available with you , even a flower pot or a water drinking pot , just see that your flower pot is not too small or it will fill up too quickly.
Mumbai Balcony Gardener | Avid Life Observer Thanks for taking the time to respond! I'll follow your instructions and experiment a little while taking care that no worms are harmed...I'd hate myself for the rest of my life if I let that happen. You see, every year caterpillars come to my very tiny window garden and I get to see metamorphosis right before my eyes! I even put those worms we find in our veggies out in the pots!😄 Hope I'll be successful in composting! Cross my fingers!
Thank you.My friend is gifting me some wrigglers soon and it’s already wet n rainy here in Belgaum. Please advice.. do I put my wrigglers in a round bin with lid and holes punched in which I already have home composting on ? Or do I hv an open square bin? During these 4 rainy months
Hi Gayatri , definitely go for rectangular . If you see all my vermicomposting videos ( around 25 of them ) , I do mention in most of them the convenience of having a rectangular bin . You will need to protect your bin from the rains at all times , you can use the rain water to prepare the bedding and to water the worm bin when needed .
Mumbai Balcony Gardener | Vlogs and More I have kept them in the tall bin as of now. Will shift them soon enough to a rectangular one. Thank you for getting back . 😃
thanks a lot. I will do both. for a worm bin which is better terracotta or plastic. I also started collection of eggshell but after a few days I saw worms in it. how should I keep the collected eggshell
teracotta is cylindrical , blue plastic crate is rectangular , I'd like you to tell me which one you would choose and why , quiz question for you. Regarding egg shells I will do a quick short video soon .
I use a rectangular worm bin for very specific reasons , I mention this in almost all of my videos . You can use any container that you like for your worm bin depending on the space you have available . Please go through my video ua-cam.com/video/mvGI8OawpTA/v-deo.html to understand the advantages of a rectangular worm bin. No one cant put cooked food or non veg food in a worm bin . You need to use a smart bin for that , that is anaerobic method of composting.
What a great and helpful video!! Have just started a new bin and have been having some problems and you have definitely troubleshooted for me! Thanks for the help... Loved your kitties but what are their names?? 🌻
Mumbai Balcony Gardener | Avid Life Observer my arms are doing good I actually have to start another one. I started in the 5 gallon bucket now I'm going to move to 18 gallon bucket. I am going to upgrade my bedding using your method thank you so much for the video and your help. God bless
Hello I have some questions about setting new worm bin, I am new to Composting and thinking of starting worm bin. 1. Can we setup a new worm bin with terracotta pot like matka or something? I haven't found any videos on it. Is it not advisable to start terracotta worm bin? 2. Is it a good time to start new worm bin in Mumbai region? As you mentioned in one of your video its not a good time to start new bin during summers and its near summer and temperature in Mumbai is already started to rise.
Do go through all the comments and my answers , I have answered both questions in detail earlier 1 . No terracotta or clay pot for Mumbai , dries out too fast , worms don't thrive . In cooler weather people add worms to their compost pots when compost has cooled down . Does not work in our weather. 2 . You have answered this question yourself . Answer is no , even established bins have worm death in our extreme weather . You can try if you keep your bin in ac . You should not give any food scraps ( anything that will heat up during breakdown process ) , just the browns or half done compost . See my surprise worm bin video , this one kind off breaks all the rules , thriving big time . Mulching with dry leaves is a great help in case you want to experiment .
Thanks so much for all your videos. Planning to start a worm bin using the earthworms I already have in my pots. I had one failed experience earlier when I killed all the worms. But now I think I will start with a small round tub I have, using your bedding suggestions. How do you collect the leachate in your blue rectangular bin? Do you have a tray underneath? Or does the cocopeat bedding absorb it all?
You are welcome , glad you are enjoying the videos :) . Regarding leachate , I don't ever want a run off of leachate from my worm bins , they are indoors near my kitchen . Also leachate means there is excessive greens and not enough browns in the bin . In my case , the bedding absorbs the leachate and I make sure to add some cardboard if I am adding a watery scrap like melon . One has to remember not to overfeed a small bin as it would lead to too much heat generation leading to death of worms. November to January are the only months I can add kitchen scraps without worrying about the heat , rest of the year I add very small amounts or then half done compost .
Thanks for the prompt reply! I am in Calcutta, so heat is a problem for me too. So I guess it makes sense to maintain a regular compost as well as vermicompost, if one has to add small bits to the worm bin at a time, right?
Also, if I don't have access to aged cow manure at this point, is there another substitute for the bedding to start with? I have the hydrated cocopeat.
Yes similar weather , so you can follow my do's and don'ts to the T . One needs to have a regular composting system in place because the amount of scraps generated on a daily basis cannot be put into our small worm bins , it would kill the worms right away. 9 months of the year I am actively adding scraps to my compost pots , 3 months of the year I actively add to scraps my worm bins along with my compost pots as temperatures come down a bit . The half done compost comes in handy in those really hot months when one should not add any scraps to the worm bin , the worms really enjoy the half done compost .
Most of the time manures sold in the market are aged to a certain extent. Cow or horse manure is fine . You can even use the dry cow dung pats that are freely available , you need to soak them in water overnight and make bedding the following day . The worms absolutely love it , one drawback of the pats is there are too many plants germinating in the pots when we use this vermicompost - what ever the cow was fed on germinates . I have noticed dung beetle offspring ( fat white worms called grubs ) in my worm bin when I have used the cow dung pats.
I have never seen anyone add molasses to there worm before, I use it in my compost tea so next I make compost tea I well add some to the worms. Another excellent video on worms, This well help anyone starting out.
In my first year with my worm bin when I wasnt using the migration method for harvesting , I was emptying out my entire bin and starting a fresh one , I had worms coming out due to shock, I tried the molasses at that time and they never ventured out again , so I use molasses when ever I need to start a brand new bin or in summers when I am unable to add fresh scraps , just to reactivate the microbes by giving them a food source. Thanks a tonne for the positive feedback , I appreciate it :):)
I love your videos, i'm trying to garden on my balcony in Panvel. Wanted to know if the earthworms survive the summer heat in Mumbai, and if there are any tricks to this. Also if you could let me know what a decent price for earthworms would be. Thanks so much, and keep posting.
Well done! Good information. I use straight horse manure in mine. I live in a cooler northern climate though. Not sure how well that would work in a tropical climate. Might heat up to much and kill the worms. I also know where my horse manure comes from. Primarily pasture grass and hay fed and occasionally allowed to shortly browse under the apple tree. They are owned by a doctor that will only medicate them if they really need it and not on a regular basis as a "precaution". I also add egg shell. I also add a bit of sand to help prevent compaction as straight horse manure is prone to do and allows it drain better. Otherwise it gets too wet on bottom while the top dries out. Also provide the grit. Haven't thought of the molasses solution. Will give that a try.
Thank you !! We dont have access to horse manure here in Mumbai . We had a conversation on the issue of medicines in manure last year if you remember , you mentioned that adding fresh manure causes no harm to the worms as long as there is no medication in the manure . The molasses work beautifully , especially when I want to give a boost to the microbes in the bin when I am unable to put fresh scraps ( which is at least 6 months of the year when we are at 35 C or above) .
Yes, I do remember that conversation. I had heard a lot from people saying fresh horse manure could not be used but it made no sense to me because I would scoop up piles of manure that were no more than 3 days old and they would already have wigglers in them. True, if one isn't sure if the horses are medicated or not then aging it for several months is best to allow the medication to degrade. Definitely going to be trying the molasses. This is the first I've heard of that.
Thanks , which city are you located in ? You will need to check with gardening groups in your city , for Mumbai I have mentioned the details in the description of this video. Earthworms from the garden help aerate the soil and leave behind few castings , however they are not efficient composters , you need composting worms for efficient composting of your food scraps .
See the other videos on this topic almost 25 of them on my channel , you will understand why . I mention the advantages of a rectangular bin in most of my videos .
The only question as usual is where do I get/buy some red wriggler worms from? In Mumbai or Thane..... any leads maam....? Though I have been composting but with your videos I want to start a worm bin...you are so good with these babies..... I had never ever even touched a worm before. But watching you handling them, they seem super friendly and nice ..... I wish to also..... Where could I buy some of these here in Thane or Mumbai.....? Maam pls do let me know .... thanks a ton for making me love these wriggly friends..... Love to you, Juhi
If you look surely you will find a source in Thane . Ask in some well known nurseries or try to find gardeners . Many would be vermicomposting . There is a lead from Pune in the description box , he ships from Pune . These worms are my pets , just love them 🤩. I'm sure you will too . See all the videos on vermicomposting , 25 of them , so that you are well prepared to handle any issue that may come up . Good luck 👍.
Your videos are rich in information and to the point, thank you for sharing. (I will be surprised if you're not a teacher). May I ask, why keep the worm bin in the sun for a few hours? (See at 09.16) And how does eggshells help worms reproduce? Thank you once again; I'm looking forward to the videos coming next. Cheers!
Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback . When one starts a brand new worm bin , it is a totally new environment for the worms and there is a tendency to leave or move out . Keeping the worm bin in bright light or sun forces the worms to stay put because they cannot tolerate light , they move deeper into the worm bin. Shining a light at night is for the same purpose . Regarding how egg shells help in reproduction , well you could call it heresay , alot of literature online as well as commercial worm farms say this but I could not find a scientific document to corroborate this . Please be surprised as I am not a teacher , thank you again as it makes all the effort documenting and creating the video worth it . best wishes from Mumbai , India.
hi .............LOVED YOUR VIDEO very informative and well taken ....... THANK YOU! My late question is what is the ratio of molasses to water that you use? ........... again Thank You for the information
Hello, thank you for your video. I just would like to ask you. I live in Germany, what can I do for the worms in winter, especially when the temperature is lower than 0, in order to keep the worms working normally. Thank you in advance
Hello !! Your problem is exactly the opposite of ours . Here are my suggestions : 1. Give your worms weekly scraps in the centre of your bin so that these scraps generate heat for the worms on a regular basis . 2. Keep your bin in a warm place if possible - indoors or basement . 3. Give your worm bin a very thick layer of mulch ( dry leaves , hay or half done compost from hot composting system ) of any kind that is available to you for further insulation from the cold . 4. A small heater to keep the area around 15 C if possible . 5. Keep protected from rain as the water would freeze up in the cold . These are the ideas that came to mind . Hope this helps .
@@mumbaibalconygardenerhobbies thank you very much. In case you have more advices and tips in the future, it would be very kind if you send them to me. Have a nice day
Once your worm bin is established and you follow migration method to separate out castings from worms , you will have one half of the bin for new bedding ( see that video too ). At that time you can add whatever bedding is available , it won't matter . This is because the worms have other half of familiar bedding and have time to adjust to new one. Yoh can use half done compost from hot composting system as bedding too . For a new worm bin I will highly recommend you use the bedding I have suggested for good chances of success .
Not necessary if one can control one's enthusiasm to dump food scraps to the worms but it's a good idea to have some holes anyways . I don't have any liquids coming out from the bottom indicating to me I'm putting kitchen scraps in the right amount .
thank you for your wonderful vidoes. I have learnt a lot from each of them. My question is why do we need to wait for 10 days from the time we create the worm bed and to introduce the worms to the bin. i Spoke to the V5, Earth recyclers and they charge over 1000rs for a kilo of worms which is very costly. trying to see if there are any others who sell it for little cheaper.
Hello ! Glad you are enjoying the videos . It is not a must to wait , however it will be better to wait ,especially if one is a beginner and starting a bin for the first time. 2 reasons for waiting - the cow manure gets to mix in with the bedding material and if there is any medication in the manure , its effect gets toned down ( this can kill worms right away if present) . Also the kitchen scraps added break down completely in 10 days , so it is immediately available for the worms to consume . For shredded cardboard which is soaked in water , one need not wait . However sugarcane husk is very dry , it needs to be soaked in water properly and after soaking it may heat it a bit , so better to wait and then use . Preferably avoid sugarcane waste in first time bin , you can add it to an established bin on one side after harvesting half of the bin. If you buy vermicompost that has been freshly harvested , you can get plenty of small worms from it to start a new bin. Many eggs will also hatch later , you can use my method to rescue them and add to new bin.
University of Agricultural Science in Bangalore sells a kilo at 650 Rupees. I bought 250 gms of worms today. You can also buy vermicompost at Rs. 10 per kilo.
MBG though I am doing composting from last many years but I have never done worm composting . After seeing your video I am eager to start asap. Instead of doing in a container can we do it on a patch of ground in our garden . Pls guide .
Yes absolutely you can do in ground , making a rectangular trench . There may be videos on it on you tube . I'll see if I find any . You can buy the worms once your trench is ready . Have given contact of one gentleman from Pune in description , he ships and this is best time to start .
Yes I forgot to mention that during monsoon I see long wigglers out on courtyard . Initially I was afraid of them. Then I started putting them back in the garden . May be now in winters I don't see them . After seeing your videos I have clarity how to use them in proper way . Thanks for being there for we all .
Dear MBG, I'm a huge fan of your videos and respect you for what you're trying to do in such a small space in Mumbai! I've watched your videos over and over because there are so many nuggets of information. My question (1) what are the proportions of the cowdung, cocopeat, eggshells you use to start the vermibed?; (2) in another video you say you'll post info on what you do with your fish waste- I'm curious how you compost this? In your indoor composters? Thank you, SP
Thanks a whole bunch for the positive feed back on my channel and green endeavours !! Coconut coir and cow manure is half and half in the new worm bin . the crushed eggshells and 2 hand fulls roughly so that I can see it evenly distributed through out the bedding . The fish composting started off as an experiment , a very good learning curve , I have collected enough footage on it , so hopefully I should have that video up after one on my garden which is overdue . Yes the fish waste goes in my indoor composters and also in grow bags !!
Yes . All composting worms are earthworms but not all earthworms are composting worms . Composting worms are food guzzlers , very efficient in going through all the scraps in a short period of time , most common are red Wiggler's or eisenia fetida and African night crawlers , there are 2 more types , I forget the names . You can go for either of the above 2. Regular earthworms are not that efficient food eaters , so the conversion to vermicompost is rather slow . They are more of earth tillers , aerating the soil , the ones commonly found in fields and in ground gardens .
You are welcome , there are always some mistakes initially but once you get the hang of it in your weather , it is a well oiled machine , glad you enjoyed the video .
Mumbai Balcony Gardener | Avid Life Observer So it's mostly hot here but the winters get pretty cold, as low as 2°C. But I can move it to a warm place I guess...
When it is hot you could keep it in a cool dark place without a lid , put half done compost as bedding or food and when it is cold , you add scraps in the centre which will generate heat in the centre and also provide food to the worms , you can put thick layer of straw on top in winter .
Lokeswaran T Glad you found the video useful . I made a separate video for the question you asked. Here is the link to the video : ua-cam.com/video/FD3bNXZdy64/v-deo.html
Thank you !! I will check with some friends and get back to you . If you buy freshly harvested vermicompost you will get plenty of baby worms in it and you can start your bin with it , just use a kilo or so of the VC in the bedding along with the cow manure . Also if you have a cow shed near by , you will be able to collect plenty of worms in the soil around the cow shed , especially in the rains , they come up to prevent themselves from drowing .
Hi, great vid very informative but I have a question, how do you know when the worm castings are ready to use? Is it a time thing or colour change? Thanks
Hello , happy to know you found the video helpful . Your question is probably the most FAQ and hence I made a separate video to answer it !! Here is the link to that video : ua-cam.com/video/FD3bNXZdy64/v-deo.html . I have a total of 18 videos on vermicomposting covering various topics , you can visit the playlist should you like to see them all , happy vermicomposting !!
Maria Mesia I use a tsp molasses diluted in a litre of water and moisten the bedding with it - just for a brand new bin or in summers when I'm unable to add food scraps to the bin.
Thanks ! The worms love cow dung and they are found in plenty around cow sheds . I had a discussion with another viewer on this a couple of years ago . He said his worms loved the fresh manure , he had a shed so it was no issue . I cant have fresh cow dung in my house , hence I go with aged cow manure . I think you should give it a try with small quantity and few worms . Only if the cow has been fed some medicines there is a possibility of the worms dying , otherwise fresh cow dung should not be an issue , do let me know if you try it .
Thanks , I have given Mr Dandekar's contact no in the description of the video , I purchased my worms 5 years ago , I do not really know what rate he is selling at currently . If you do start your worm bin now , add half done compost as bedding , it is already too hot to add food scraps now . I suggest you wait till the monsoons to start your bin in case you are not doing regular composting .
Hello, May I ask, I did harvest a small quantity from my warm bin for first time and I dont know, should I let it dry a little bit or I can add it right away to the tomato plant? Thank you in advance! Bets regards, Militsa
Hello ! One can mature the vermicompost by letting it sit for a few weeks to few months but one should always keep it moist so that the micro organisms are alive . I never have enough to store , I always feed my plants right away after harvesting . The plants do well .
Thanks Renuka . Try this method to see if you can get free worms , make a nice hole in your garden around 12 inches deep , put a mix of kitchen scraps , make sure to include banana peels and other fruit peels along with vege scraps , add torn up brown cardboard , some cow manure , water this well in the hole , cover properly with soil and then a stone on top of this spot , leave it alone for 2 -3 weeks and dig out to see if there are lots of worms collected . Send me a pic if you get worms and start your bin with these . Or else you buy your worms from the contact I gave you .
Mumbai Balcony Gardener | Avid Life Observer Thank you so much for your guidance . In fact I am already doing composting in two pits but I don't see worms in it . I get around two kg of fruit. Vege peels everyday . I will make one more according to your guidance .when ever I am free I open your playlist n watch your videos again n again . I really enjoy . Your Cover each n every point so much of clarity👍
@@renukaaghi3394 Now that keeps me motivated too to make the videos , thank you 😍. If this method is not attracting worms now I think it will when it rains .. Another thing to try - During rains just lay out flat sheets of brown card board in a corner , say 3 to 4 , making an area of 2 feet by 2 feet . Mid monsoons hopefully you should find worms underneath it . You could put these cardboards above your compost pits too . Worms need shelter from rains , so they come up and the cardboard will provide shelter and food too , they just love moist . cardboard . Let me know 👍
i m from mumbai too i m collecting in every rainy season but i m not able to make them .today i caught some but they r running out i dont know y but i saw something strange they r shining green n blue y this is good or bad?
Hi, what you are collecting could be regular earth worms or possibly African night crawlers . Red wigglers are smaller than the above two and red as the name suggests .
HI, a question raises all the time when I see your videos, and could not stop to ask you today. As I understood you are doing in an apartment, and due to this compost the place and near by may be gets the bad smell. How you reduce the smell. Is there any precautions to be taken?
Hello !! Thank you for asking this question. Yes I am composting and vermicomposting indoors and there is no smell at all !! One has to make sure that there are enough browns to balance out the greens - simple way to remember is the greens have to be between 2 layers of browns just like a sandwich , if one does this there is smell at all. The only reason smell will be there is if there is too much greens / kitchen waste and not enough dry leaves to balance it out . There will be no insects or fruit flies as long as top layer is at least 2 inches of dry leaves . Same for my worm bins , I always bury the scraps in a corner of the bin , never leave it on top uncovered . If it is difficult to find dry leaves in some months of the year , one can layer the compost with cocopeat ( a good option but one has to buy it ) or old potting mix ( which is the last option ). One year I made compost with just torn up brown cardboard as I had no place to store the dry leaves .
Yes it's always better to have holes at the bottom . There are plenty of holes at the bottom of my bin too which you can see at the beginning of the video . However I don't have any liquids coming out because I always try to maintain balance of browns and greens and water the bin only when dry. If I add water melon peels I don't water the bin .
2 reasons - # In a new worm bin bedding , preparing the bedding and letting it rest helps neutralize ph or any issues of cow manure , things just settle down . # one can add food scraps right after preparing the bedding and then let it stay for 10 days , this way the food has broken down already and is ready for the worms right after they are put in the worm bin ( I did not do this in the video , I should have ) . This way there are less chances of worms dying or trying to escape due to some issue in the bedding and food source is available right away.
Thanks dear , Im glad I made this video :):) . Haha yes i love them both too !! The cat that appeared first was the one that knocked off my cherokee purple last season in one of his runs across the living room :):)
Yes , she has added worms to her khumba composter and then she adds the half done cooled off compost on top for the worms. What she is doing is perfect for that pot , you can do the same , just add some worms to your compost pot or bin , then you need not make a new worm bin . I have mentioned the bin size in the video , in the beginning of the video.
Follow up question:: If maggots are accompanied along with half done compost, will the worm bin be affected? Can maggots and earthworms co-exist happily?
hello mam...i have been composting for past 1 and half year and m very much interested and excited to start with vermicompost.. at the beginning i tried to added many worms from my plant pots in my already established composting bin but none survived or probably ran away.. also could you pls help me out with where an i get red wigglers. i stay in virar.
Hello Pratik . This would be the best time to start your worm bin , with the weather really cooling off and this would allow for addition of food scraps without worry . I got mine from Mr Prakash Dandekar , his number is in the description of the video . All my grow bags have red wigglers . The key to helping them to survive in your pots is to mulch your pots with dry leaves so that the worms get shelter from the sun and below the leaves you can put a banana peel every 2 weeks , this will provide them a food source and keep them happy. The dry leaves too will break down slowly upon watering and provide food for the worms . Hope this helps .
Hi , I got this plastic crate from Crawford Market , in the Sadanand hotel lane . You should get it easily in Pune too , these are used by fruit and vegetable sellers to keep their produce etc . Arihant and Neelkamal plastics are the two good companies making these .
You are a gifted narrator. The Presentation was dame simple. Even an idiot can follow. I hope many Mumbaikars take to composting. The waste problem is really getting out of hand. May I ask if you do any presentation in school/college to spread the concept. Thanks and God Bless.
Thank you so much , I am glad to receive your feedback that it was easy to understand. As a new composter one can get overwhelmed and I hope I can help through my videos . Yes the problem is out of hand but not too many people are aware or inclined . Everyone can do their bit even by just separating out the dry and wet wastes at their end which will also help. I am not doing the presentation in any academic institution , however I started to upload videos on you tube for this very purpose , when I started there wasn't too much information on the Indian front and I felt the need to document and share my journey so that others in Mumbai and India find it easy . Composting and vermicomposting are my pet projects along with gardening in a small space to make people realize alot can be done if one wishes to !!
I have very few young worms in the pot which I got from the nursery can I use them? Also in my place soil has earthworm can I use them for starter bin or should I get from people already doing wormicomposting? Please let me know
You need to confirm they are red wigglers . For now let them be as it is too hot to start a new bin , you could start once rains are here and preferebly with composting worms .
You can watch all my vermicomposting videos here : ua-cam.com/play/PLQBvqnigy3FN8DyK5ZOMTJSqP9X4QeqtO.html
I had problem of new bins and escaping worms until I tried spraying a little molasses and water on the bedding. It was like magic, no more jailbreaks from the worms now. Thank you!
That is wonderful !! Thank you for letting me know it worked so beautifully for you :):)
This is a great video for someone getting started, no matter where they live! The molasses trick is one I will try because microbial life is REALLY what we’re after to feed our plants. A couple tricks I learned that you may enjoy.....
1. Add a 50/50 mix of neem cake/Karanja cake (or meal as we call it in the US. I will add about 2 cups per cubic foot of material I start with and then I’ll add some more every month.
2. Feed malted grains. We get these at home beer brewing stores but it’s also used as animal feed in some places. But whatever is cheapest. I usually get malted barley but it could be wheat, oats, rye, whatever. I grind up the whole grains in a coffee grinder to a coarse flour consistency. I also add malted grains to my soil. This will feed both microbes AND worms. I don’t know the science behind it but there is some very solid science behind the use of malted grains in soil and vermicomposting. You will be amazed at the growth and reproductive rates of your worms when you at a malted grain. It’s very inexpensive also. Even cheaper would be to sprout the grains yourself and then add them. But buying them as “malted” makes things even easier.
Hope this helps and thanks for the great video!
Thanks so much for your suggestions and inputs , appreciated !!
Thank you, I have watched plenty of videos but yours given plenty of useful tips.
I have learned so much from you, thank you. I had a 1-meter by 1-meter by 1-meter black compost bin I got 20 years ago. It never got hot so I put some worms in there. They did fine for years and I got plenty of castings until one day I fed them and I didn't see many. The next day they were zero worms left. I found 1 half of one. Quickly to Google and I suspect a vole found them and had a feast. I had recently split the bins so I still had a partial worm farm. So, this happened last year. When I went to turn the pile I have now, I saw about 1 dozen red wigglers back doing their job. The vole didn't get the eggs, haha.
Maam ek request aapse, aap ke videos kafi acche n helpful hai, vermicompost par agar aap hindi Me bhi video banaye to is se un logo ko bhi help hogi jo composting karna chahte hai but sahi guide nahi hai ,aajkal compost ko lekar logo Me kafi acchi soch developed ho rahi hai, agar aap apni poorani videos Me Hindi language add karoge to bohot aacha hoga. Please .
Another well prepared and interesting video.
Thank you from the Philippines.
My daughter ( 11years old ) and I are building our first bee hive and she is very excited to harvest her honey.
Thank you 😊 . Wonderful that your daughter is keen , best wishes !!
you explain with clarity and ease .
harsha dave Thank you 😊 !
Awesome!!! Most detailed and informative video on vermicomposting for urban environment. Bravo!!!!
You explained very well how to start a worm bin one of the best videos I've seen thank you
Thanks 🙏🐛🐛
Big thumbs up from our worms over here lol. Excellent instructional video. Another useful byproduct of adding ground eggshells is they help prevent the the bin from becoming too acidic which the worms won't like.
Very interesting you add molasses. I've never done this or even thought of it. I might try this in a bin and see what happens.
I did laugh at the part where you were checking the worms every 5 minutes lol. It's so easy to do and I think every new worm farmer does it. I think it's a mixture of concern, excitement and curiosity lol.
Also great to see the reminder not to over feed. I think that's one of the most common mistakes made. And it can induce protein poisoning in the worms.
I really enjoyed this video. Very well made and done. Thanks for sharing.
Lol thank you from our worms as well !! Oh yes I remember reading about the ph issue especially when one is using peat moss for the bedding . The molasses work like magic ! It took us a good 2 months to stop intruding the worms privacy haha , we hounded them big time !! I am sure every new vermicomposter does it inspite of being warned :):). Yes the temptation to dump scraps has to be avoided , it is a disaster otherwise . Thank you once again for the positive feedback and glad you enjoyed the video !
Oh you are so right lol - we've all done it :) You're very welcome. I've been subbed to you for a while and I absolutely love your videos. So clear and well made and informative. It's also fascinating watching how the worms work in a climate so very different from ours over here. Thank you again and keep up the good work. Looking forward to the next update :)
Excellent video, I will try coco peat and cow manure, this is more beautiful for my red wigglers. I just started my worm factory and very open, learning more about vermicomposting. Thank you in sharing.
Thank you , hope your worm bin does great too . Worm factory is very similar , its 4 bins stacked one inside another . Do let me know how it goes and thanks for watching !
Thank you very much madam I am watching from South Korea now a days first time when I will go back to Nepal I will use your best idea
Thank you for your lovely videos and all the wonderful information you have learned and you pass on I'm just starting out with worms and you have helped me very much I just want to say thank you from Ireland ..bless you and yours
Thanks so much for commenting and leaving wonderful feedback . Good wishes your way too :)
The best tutorial on how to make vermicompost. Thanx a lot for all the information. It was very useful. Do we really need to make so many holes or making 2 or 3 also does the job? If I make so many holes, is it not difficult to collect the liquid that oozes out. Beginner like me may overfeed resulting in excess liquid oozing out.
Hi Ramya .
If you are doing this right there should not be any liquid coming out from the bottom .
That happens when too much kitchen waste is added without adding browns along with the scraps . They call it vermiwash which I would never want to do even if I had a yard .
There are around 25 videos in the vermicomposting playlist covering various topics , do watch when convenient
Thank you 😊🙏
Can this be done in the summer in mumbai? And also where do you get the red wigglers for the bin kudos to you for this awesome video:) Edit: just read your description thank you
Hi , do see all the videos before you start so you are well prepared . Our heat can kill off worms very easily especially if one is new ( I am guilty of the same 😅) . Start mid July or August whenever you can get the worms . Good luck 👍 and thank you 😊.
Hi! Salute from Brazil!! Very interesting vídeos! I have started growing worms (african night crawlers)! I learn a lot from your vídeos! Thank you.
Liked the step by step instruction.
Thank you !!
Congratulations on the video. What is the white powder you spread on the litter box? greetings Giovanni from Rome
Thank you 🙏.
The white powder is powdered egg shells .
Hi,very nice and useful video for beginners like me thankyou so much.👍👍
Thank you , glad you enjoyed the video , do update me on your worm bin too !
Nice ! Thanks as this was great help. How about red wrigglers. Where will I get it online ?
In the description
You video is very descriptive and very. useful. One problem is that I started my new worm bin 45 days back. I notice that the worms has not increased in number. Just wondering what might be the reason. I put coconut coir,cow manure, eggs shells.
Thank you ! Worms usually double in numbers in 3 months if weather is favourable ( 18 to 25 C) .A brand new worm bin takes at least 2 to 3 months to become efficient because we are learning ourselves . Once we understand , we do everything correctly and hence there are no issues most of the time . In hot weather , worms do not multiply rapidly , you will see more worms once the weather cools . What about kitchen scraps ? Are you adding any now ? If it is too hot , add half done compost or just shredded carbboard and manure . It is a cycle - once worms increase in number , they will recycle larger quantity of kitchen scraps , the more scraps the more they multiply . But please wait for weather to cool before adding kitchen scraps or else heat can kill the worms .
I just started my worm bin and the very first, do not, was for me! 🤣🤣🤣 I got it... Thank you for the great information and details.
Thank you for the detailed video. It’s so perfect
Hello, I watched you two videos about composting. since long time I was in search of detail information about
Vermicompost made at home. Thank you for sharing this information.
You are welcome ! This is the beginner video , there are 18 more videos on vermicomposting in my vermicomposting playlist on my channel covering various topics , you will find those helpful too .
Thanks for the detailed information about wormicomposting. You really are doing a fine job. your cats are delightful. your worms look chubby😄 and we'll bred.
You are most welcome :):) , I am glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for the cat and worm compliments too , I do like to take good care of both !!
Very nice and well explained mam, thankyou
You have a great supervisor! ❤️
Lol thanks 😻🐾
Good lessons here as I am starting my first box.
This is really great. I especially like the What NOT to do section. Thank You!
Glad you enjoyed the video and found it informative !! Thanks for watching :)
Awesome how to video on worm composting. I'll be trying this for the first time over the winter months, so this helps a ton. Thank You! Take Care, Peaches :)
Thanks a tonne Peaches . Do let me know how it goes for you. Our weather would be just the reverse of yours in the winter . If you see my video on how to manage the worm bin in peak summer , you will need to do everything opposite of what I do . Here is a link to that video ua-cam.com/video/LwY5Y1rh4I8/v-deo.html .
Very nice job. I'll show some of my friends who do not compost like I love to. Thanks...all the way from California :)
Thank you very much for the positive feedback , I hope your friends enjoy the video and are motivated to try some form of composting . Best wishes from Mumbai, India:):).
Very informative.Noticed that works like shredded cardboards.
Hey! I'm a Mumbaikar and have a very limited space but want to make my own compost bin. I've, after long days of begging, convinced my mom to let me make one but on the condition that it shouldn't smell. I've also never ever tried to compost previously so, being a first-timer I lack the knowledge for that, your videos help a lot! Also, can I make a bin out of a flower pot? Please tell!
Hi , did you see my latest video on composting ? Composting can be as simple and as complex as one wants it to be . I compost indoors and there is no smell , just follow brown green brown technique which I shared in my video . You can compost in any container that is available with you , even a flower pot or a water drinking pot , just see that your flower pot is not too small or it will fill up too quickly.
Mumbai Balcony Gardener | Avid Life Observer Thanks for taking the time to respond! I'll follow your instructions and experiment a little while taking care that no worms are harmed...I'd hate myself for the rest of my life if I let that happen. You see, every year caterpillars come to my very tiny window garden and I get to see metamorphosis right before my eyes! I even put those worms we find in our veggies out in the pots!😄 Hope I'll be successful in composting! Cross my fingers!
Thanks for your great tutorial, and letting know where to get the red wrigglers in Mumbai
Latha Mathew Most welcome Latha , glad you found the video helpful , happy vermicomposting 😁👍
@@mumbaibalconygardenerhobbies were in Mumbai and or Pune u get red wrigglers please.
Great video. If one needs to use jaggery how much to add say per litre if water.
Thank you.My friend is gifting me some wrigglers soon and it’s already wet n rainy here in Belgaum. Please advice.. do I put my wrigglers in a round bin with lid and holes punched in which I already have home composting on ? Or do I hv an open square bin? During these 4 rainy months
Hi Gayatri , definitely go for rectangular . If you see all my vermicomposting videos ( around 25 of them ) , I do mention in most of them the convenience of having a rectangular bin . You will need to protect your bin from the rains at all times , you can use the rain water to prepare the bedding and to water the worm bin when needed .
Mumbai Balcony Gardener | Vlogs and More I have kept them in the tall bin as of now. Will shift them soon enough to a rectangular one. Thank you for getting back . 😃
thanks a lot. I will
do both. for a worm bin which is better terracotta or plastic.
I also started collection of eggshell but after a few days I saw worms in it. how should I keep the collected eggshell
teracotta is cylindrical , blue plastic crate is rectangular , I'd like you to tell me which one you would choose and why , quiz question for you. Regarding egg shells I will do a quick short video soon .
INTERESTING VIDEO!!! Great idea my friend...Thanks for sharing and keep in touch..
thanks for answering the query. instead of using plastic bins can I use terracotta bins.for feeding the worms can we use cooked food, non veg food
I use a rectangular worm bin for very specific reasons , I mention this in almost all of my videos . You can use any container that you like for your worm bin depending on the space you have available . Please go through my video ua-cam.com/video/mvGI8OawpTA/v-deo.html to understand the advantages of a rectangular worm bin. No one cant put cooked food or non veg food in a worm bin . You need to use a smart bin for that , that is anaerobic method of composting.
hello,
apka ye prgrm bht he acha or helpful h hamare liye.... aap se ye cnfrm krna h ki hmko ye worm bin kaha se mil skta h......
Hello , main khush hoon ye jaan kar ki aap ko mere videos helpful lagte hain , aap kis sheher mein hain ?
Very nice effort you have made. Lovely
What a great and helpful video!! Have just started a new bin and have been having some problems and you have definitely troubleshooted for me! Thanks for the help... Loved your kitties but what are their names?? 🌻
Thank you so much , I am glad you found it helpful !! I'll pm you on the kitties :):)
Thanks for this informative video. Is there any requirement of adding daily dump MICROBES
You are welcome ! No not required at all .
Thanks for sharing. I did the same thing, in and out of the bin.
Arternischel Haney Great!! How is your worm bin doing ?
Mumbai Balcony Gardener | Avid Life Observer my arms are doing good I actually have to start another one. I started in the 5 gallon bucket now I'm going to move to 18 gallon bucket. I am going to upgrade my bedding using your method thank you so much for the video and your help. God bless
Hello
I have some questions about setting new worm bin, I am new to Composting and thinking of starting worm bin.
1. Can we setup a new worm bin with terracotta pot like matka or something? I haven't found any videos on it. Is it not advisable to start terracotta worm bin?
2. Is it a good time to start new worm bin in Mumbai region? As you mentioned in one of your video its not a good time to start new bin during summers and its near summer and temperature in Mumbai is already started to rise.
Do go through all the comments and my answers , I have answered both questions in detail earlier
1 . No terracotta or clay pot for Mumbai , dries out too fast , worms don't thrive . In cooler weather people add worms to their compost pots when compost has cooled down . Does not work in our weather.
2 . You have answered this question yourself . Answer is no , even established bins have worm death in our extreme weather .
You can try if you keep your bin in ac .
You should not give any food scraps ( anything that will heat up during breakdown process ) , just the browns or half done compost .
See my surprise worm bin video , this one kind off breaks all the rules , thriving big time . Mulching with dry leaves is a great help in case you want to experiment .
Thanks so much for all your videos. Planning to start a worm bin using the earthworms I already have in my pots. I had one failed experience earlier when I killed all the worms. But now I think I will start with a small round tub I have, using your bedding suggestions. How do you collect the leachate in your blue rectangular bin? Do you have a tray underneath? Or does the cocopeat bedding absorb it all?
You are welcome , glad you are enjoying the videos :) . Regarding leachate , I don't ever want a run off of leachate from my worm bins , they are indoors near my kitchen . Also leachate means there is excessive greens and not enough browns in the bin . In my case , the bedding absorbs the leachate and I make sure to add some cardboard if I am adding a watery scrap like melon . One has to remember not to overfeed a small bin as it would lead to too much heat generation leading to death of worms. November to January are the only months I can add kitchen scraps without worrying about the heat , rest of the year I add very small amounts or then half done compost .
Thanks for the prompt reply! I am in Calcutta, so heat is a problem for me too. So I guess it makes sense to maintain a regular compost as well as vermicompost, if one has to add small bits to the worm bin at a time, right?
Also, if I don't have access to aged cow manure at this point, is there another substitute for the bedding to start with? I have the hydrated cocopeat.
Yes similar weather , so you can follow my do's and don'ts to the T . One needs to have a regular composting system in place because the amount of scraps generated on a daily basis cannot be put into our small worm bins , it would kill the worms right away. 9 months of the year I am actively adding scraps to my compost pots , 3 months of the year I actively add to scraps my worm bins along with my compost pots as temperatures come down a bit . The half done compost comes in handy in those really hot months when one should not add any scraps to the worm bin , the worms really enjoy the half done compost .
Most of the time manures sold in the market are aged to a certain extent. Cow or horse manure is fine . You can even use the dry cow dung pats that are freely available , you need to soak them in water overnight and make bedding the following day . The worms absolutely love it , one drawback of the pats is there are too many plants germinating in the pots when we use this vermicompost - what ever the cow was fed on germinates . I have noticed dung beetle offspring ( fat white worms called grubs ) in my worm bin when I have used the cow dung pats.
I have never seen anyone add molasses to there worm before, I use it in my compost tea so next I make compost tea I well add some to the worms.
Another excellent video on worms, This well help anyone starting out.
In my first year with my worm bin when I wasnt using the migration method for harvesting , I was emptying out my entire bin and starting a fresh one , I had worms coming out due to shock, I tried the molasses at that time and they never ventured out again , so I use molasses when ever I need to start a brand new bin or in summers when I am unable to add fresh scraps , just to reactivate the microbes by giving them a food source. Thanks a tonne for the positive feedback , I appreciate it :):)
I love your videos, i'm trying to garden on my balcony in Panvel. Wanted to know if the earthworms survive the summer heat in Mumbai, and if there are any tricks to this. Also if you could let me know what a decent price for earthworms would be. Thanks so much, and keep posting.
Just watched your video on the worm bin in summer, thanks.
You are welcome !
very nice, informative video
Thanks for appreciating 😊
Thanks for such helpful videos. Can you share address of the place from where you initially got your wigglers?
Hi Monica , thanks for appreciating . I have mentioned the contact no of the person selling the red wigglers in the description box .
Well done! Good information. I use straight horse manure in mine. I live in a cooler northern climate though. Not sure how well that would work in a tropical climate. Might heat up to much and kill the worms. I also know where my horse manure comes from. Primarily pasture grass and hay fed and occasionally allowed to shortly browse under the apple tree. They are owned by a doctor that will only medicate them if they really need it and not on a regular basis as a "precaution". I also add egg shell. I also add a bit of sand to help prevent compaction as straight horse manure is prone to do and allows it drain better. Otherwise it gets too wet on bottom while the top dries out. Also provide the grit. Haven't thought of the molasses solution. Will give that a try.
Thank you !! We dont have access to horse manure here in Mumbai . We had a conversation on the issue of medicines in manure last year if you remember , you mentioned that adding fresh manure causes no harm to the worms as long as there is no medication in the manure . The molasses work beautifully , especially when I want to give a boost to the microbes in the bin when I am unable to put fresh scraps ( which is at least 6 months of the year when we are at 35 C or above) .
Yes, I do remember that conversation. I had heard a lot from people saying fresh horse manure could not be used but it made no sense to me because I would scoop up piles of manure that were no more than 3 days old and they would already have wigglers in them. True, if one isn't sure if the horses are medicated or not then aging it for several months is best to allow the medication to degrade. Definitely going to be trying the molasses. This is the first I've heard of that.
Nice video.can you please let us know where these worms are available.Can I use earthworms from my garden.pls reply
Thanks , which city are you located in ? You will need to check with gardening groups in your city , for Mumbai I have mentioned the details in the description of this video. Earthworms from the garden help aerate the soil and leave behind few castings , however they are not efficient composters , you need composting worms for efficient composting of your food scraps .
thank you for detail input. this is what I was looking for.
You said you don't prefer cylindrical bin, what is the reason behind it ? Thanks for the video.
See the other videos on this topic almost 25 of them on my channel , you will understand why . I mention the advantages of a rectangular bin in most of my videos .
Thank you, a good introduction to vermin composting for the urban gardener.
Ziyu Chan You are welcome ☺!
Hi, nice video on vermicomposting. I need to correct many mistakes. Also plz confirm how to avoid red ants in the bin. They eat away all my worms
The only question as usual is where do I get/buy some red wriggler worms from? In Mumbai or Thane..... any leads maam....?
Though I have been composting but with your videos I want to start a worm bin...you are so good with these babies..... I had never ever even touched a worm before. But watching you handling them, they seem super friendly and nice ..... I wish to also.....
Where could I buy some of these here in Thane or Mumbai.....? Maam pls do let me know .... thanks a ton for making me love these wriggly friends.....
Love to you,
Juhi
If you look surely you will find a source in Thane . Ask in some well known nurseries or try to find gardeners . Many would be vermicomposting .
There is a lead from Pune in the description box , he ships from Pune .
These worms are my pets , just love them 🤩. I'm sure you will too . See all the videos on vermicomposting , 25 of them , so that you are well prepared to handle any issue that may come up .
Good luck 👍.
Your videos are rich in information and to the point, thank you for sharing. (I will be surprised if you're not a teacher).
May I ask, why keep the worm bin in the sun for a few hours? (See at 09.16)
And how does eggshells help worms reproduce?
Thank you once again; I'm looking forward to the videos coming next. Cheers!
Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback . When one starts a brand new worm bin , it is a totally new environment for the worms and there is a tendency to leave or move out . Keeping the worm bin in bright light or sun forces the worms to stay put because they cannot tolerate light , they move deeper into the worm bin. Shining a light at night is for the same purpose . Regarding how egg shells help in reproduction , well you could call it heresay , alot of literature online as well as commercial worm farms say this but I could not find a scientific document to corroborate this . Please be surprised as I am not a teacher , thank you again as it makes all the effort documenting and creating the video worth it . best wishes from Mumbai , India.
Vry nice video mam...i want to prepaire it
hi .............LOVED YOUR VIDEO very informative and well taken ....... THANK YOU!
My late question is what is the ratio of molasses to water that you use? ........... again Thank You for the information
Thanks !! I don't have an exact ratio , I used half a tea spoon diluted in 500 ml water .
@@mumbaibalconygardenerhobbies Thank You for information
Hello, thank you for your video.
I just would like to ask you.
I live in Germany, what can I do for the worms in winter, especially when the temperature is lower than 0, in order to keep the worms working normally.
Thank you in advance
Hello !! Your problem is exactly the opposite of ours . Here are my suggestions :
1. Give your worms weekly scraps in the centre of your bin so that these scraps generate heat for the worms on a regular basis .
2. Keep your bin in a warm place if possible - indoors or basement .
3. Give your worm bin a very thick layer of mulch ( dry leaves , hay or half done compost from hot composting system ) of any kind that is available to you for further insulation from the cold .
4. A small heater to keep the area around 15 C if possible .
5. Keep protected from rain as the water would freeze up in the cold .
These are the ideas that came to mind . Hope this helps .
@@mumbaibalconygardenerhobbies thank you very much.
In case you have more advices and tips in the future, it would be very kind if you send them to me.
Have a nice day
Hi can we use dry leaves of amla tree instead of cocopeat for bedding
Once your worm bin is established and you follow migration method to separate out castings from worms , you will have one half of the bin for new bedding ( see that video too ). At that time you can add whatever bedding is available , it won't matter . This is because the worms have other half of familiar bedding and have time to adjust to new one. Yoh can use half done compost from hot composting system as bedding too .
For a new worm bin I will highly recommend you use the bedding I have suggested for good chances of success .
Its necessary to make holes on bottom of worn rectangular tray ?
Not necessary if one can control one's enthusiasm to dump food scraps to the worms but it's a good idea to have some holes anyways .
I don't have any liquids coming out from the bottom indicating to me I'm putting kitchen scraps in the right amount .
Loved some of your khamba composting and fish liquid fertilizer videos.Very inspiring. How to get wrigglers in the first place?
I stay in Mumbai suburbs
Check with Prakash Dandekar . You can find his number in my video description or just google
@@mumbaibalconygardenerhobbies Thanks a ton. ☺️
Thank you 😊 I can't wait to start my first worm farm 😁
Great !! Glad you enjoyed the video.
thank you for your wonderful vidoes. I have learnt a lot from each of them. My question is why do we need to wait for 10 days from the time we create the worm bed and to introduce the worms to the bin. i Spoke to the V5, Earth recyclers and they charge over 1000rs for a kilo of worms which is very costly. trying to see if there are any others who sell it for little cheaper.
Also does it applicable for other bedding materials like cardboard or sugarcane husk to have a 10 day cooling period before introducing the wotms
Hello ! Glad you are enjoying the videos . It is not a must to wait , however it will be better to wait ,especially if one is a beginner and starting a bin for the first time. 2 reasons for waiting - the cow manure gets to mix in with the bedding material and if there is any medication in the manure , its effect gets toned down ( this can kill worms right away if present) . Also the kitchen scraps added break down completely in 10 days , so it is immediately available for the worms to consume . For shredded cardboard which is soaked in water , one need not wait . However sugarcane husk is very dry , it needs to be soaked in water properly and after soaking it may heat it a bit , so better to wait and then use . Preferably avoid sugarcane waste in first time bin , you can add it to an established bin on one side after harvesting half of the bin. If you buy vermicompost that has been freshly harvested , you can get plenty of small worms from it to start a new bin. Many eggs will also hatch later , you can use my method to rescue them and add to new bin.
University of Agricultural Science in Bangalore sells a kilo at 650 Rupees. I bought 250 gms of worms today. You can also buy vermicompost at Rs. 10 per kilo.
MBG though I am doing composting from last many years but I have never done worm composting . After seeing your video I am eager to start asap. Instead of doing in a container can we do it on a patch of ground in our garden . Pls guide .
Yes absolutely you can do in ground , making a rectangular trench . There may be videos on it on you tube . I'll see if I find any . You can buy the worms once your trench is ready . Have given contact of one gentleman from Pune in description , he ships and this is best time to start .
Mumbai Balcony Gardener |Thank you so much for your prompt reply .
Yes I forgot to mention that during monsoon I see long wigglers out on courtyard . Initially I was afraid of them. Then I started putting them back in the garden . May be now in winters I don't see them . After seeing your videos I have clarity how to use them in proper way . Thanks for being there for we all .
Did you composted that grumpylookin cat as well
Dear MBG, I'm a huge fan of your videos and respect you for what you're trying to do in such a small space in Mumbai! I've watched your videos over and over because there are so many nuggets of information. My question (1) what are the proportions of the cowdung, cocopeat, eggshells you use to start the vermibed?; (2) in another video you say you'll post info on what you do with your fish waste- I'm curious how you compost this? In your indoor composters? Thank you, SP
Thanks a whole bunch for the positive feed back on my channel and green endeavours !! Coconut coir and cow manure is half and half in the new worm bin . the crushed eggshells and 2 hand fulls roughly so that I can see it evenly distributed through out the bedding . The fish composting started off as an experiment , a very good learning curve , I have collected enough footage on it , so hopefully I should have that video up after one on my garden which is overdue . Yes the fish waste goes in my indoor composters and also in grow bags !!
Thank you MBG!
Very nice video and information 😊👍👍
Thanks 😊👍
I see lovely n healthy pets in your house . You are doing a great job . kudos to you 👍
Is there any difference between compost worms and earthworms?Which type of earthworm are there?
Which one you suggest for home vermi composting?
Yes . All composting worms are earthworms but not all earthworms are composting worms .
Composting worms are food guzzlers , very efficient in going through all the scraps in a short period of time , most common are red Wiggler's or eisenia fetida and African night crawlers , there are 2 more types , I forget the names .
You can go for either of the above 2.
Regular earthworms are not that efficient food eaters , so the conversion to vermicompost is rather slow . They are more of earth tillers , aerating the soil , the ones commonly found in fields and in ground gardens .
Thank you so much for this video. You make it look so easy. I'm surely going to try my hand at keeping some worms :)
You are welcome , there are always some mistakes initially but once you get the hang of it in your weather , it is a well oiled machine , glad you enjoyed the video .
Mumbai Balcony Gardener | Avid Life Observer
So it's mostly hot here but the winters get pretty cold, as low as 2°C. But I can move it to a warm place I guess...
When it is hot you could keep it in a cool dark place without a lid , put half done compost as bedding or food and when it is cold , you add scraps in the centre which will generate heat in the centre and also provide food to the worms , you can put thick layer of straw on top in winter .
Very well explained!
Hi,
Thanks for this video and it's really informative. How long should we need to wait to harvest the composting?
Lokeswaran T Glad you found the video useful . I made a separate video for the question you asked. Here is the link to the video : ua-cam.com/video/FD3bNXZdy64/v-deo.html
Thanks a lot :-)
great video. i have been thinking of starting a worm bin.. this will make it easier for me to start
Thank you , Im glad you found the video useful !
Very useful video. In chennai where do you get the worms
Thank you !! I will check with some friends and get back to you . If you buy freshly harvested vermicompost you will get plenty of baby worms in it and you can start your bin with it , just use a kilo or so of the VC in the bedding along with the cow manure . Also if you have a cow shed near by , you will be able to collect plenty of worms in the soil around the cow shed , especially in the rains , they come up to prevent themselves from drowing .
Hi, great vid very informative but I have a question, how do you know when the worm castings are ready to use? Is it a time thing or colour change? Thanks
Hello , happy to know you found the video helpful . Your question is probably the most FAQ and hence I made a separate video to answer it !! Here is the link to that video : ua-cam.com/video/FD3bNXZdy64/v-deo.html . I have a total of 18 videos on vermicomposting covering various topics , you can visit the playlist should you like to see them all , happy vermicomposting !!
Mumbay Balcony Gardener
Could you please share the rate you used to prepare the molasses with water to spray over the set worm bin. Thanks.
Maria Mesia I use a tsp molasses diluted in a litre of water and moisten the bedding with it - just for a brand new bin or in summers when I'm unable to add food scraps to the bin.
Loved the way u explained...
My qstn is tht.. If we don't have cow manure, can we also use cow dung of (10 to 15 days old)
Thanks ! The worms love cow dung and they are found in plenty around cow sheds . I had a discussion with another viewer on this a couple of years ago . He said his worms loved the fresh manure , he had a shed so it was no issue . I cant have fresh cow dung in my house , hence I go with aged cow manure . I think you should give it a try with small quantity and few worms . Only if the cow has been fed some medicines there is a possibility of the worms dying , otherwise fresh cow dung should not be an issue , do let me know if you try it .
Very nicely explained!!
Thanks :)
Subscribed ! What other options if we don’t have cow manure ? Thank you
I really learned a lot !! Getting ready to start a new bin! Thanks❤️
Glad you enjoyed the video and best wishes for your new worm bin :):)
Very informative video, can you please tell me where I can get this earthworm in Mumbai? At what rate?
Thanks , I have given Mr Dandekar's contact no in the description of the video , I purchased my worms 5 years ago , I do not really know what rate he is selling at currently . If you do start your worm bin now , add half done compost as bedding , it is already too hot to add food scraps now . I suggest you wait till the monsoons to start your bin in case you are not doing regular composting .
Hello,
May I ask, I did harvest a small quantity from my warm bin for first time and I dont know, should I let it dry a little bit or I can add it right away to the tomato plant?
Thank you in advance!
Bets regards,
Militsa
Hello ! One can mature the vermicompost by letting it sit for a few weeks to few months but one should always keep it moist so that the micro organisms are alive . I never have enough to store , I always feed my plants right away after harvesting . The plants do well .
Thanks a lot for your answer :)
Excellent video . Nicely explained . Only thing is where I will get Red wigglers for the first time .
Thanks Renuka . Try this method to see if you can get free worms , make a nice hole in your garden around 12 inches deep , put a mix of kitchen scraps , make sure to include banana peels and other fruit peels along with vege scraps , add torn up brown cardboard , some cow manure , water this well in the hole , cover properly with soil and then a stone on top of this spot , leave it alone for 2 -3 weeks and dig out to see if there are lots of worms collected . Send me a pic if you get worms and start your bin with these . Or else you buy your worms from the contact I gave you .
Mumbai Balcony Gardener | Avid Life Observer Thank you so much for your guidance . In fact I am already doing composting in two pits but I don't see worms in it . I get around two kg of fruit. Vege peels everyday .
I will make one more according to your guidance .when ever I am free I open your playlist n watch your videos again n again . I really enjoy . Your Cover each n every point so much of clarity👍
@@renukaaghi3394 Now that keeps me motivated too to make the videos , thank you 😍.
If this method is not attracting worms now I think it will when it rains ..
Another thing to try - During rains just lay out flat sheets of brown card board in a corner , say 3 to 4 , making an area of 2 feet by 2 feet . Mid monsoons hopefully you should find worms underneath it . You could put these cardboards above your compost pits too . Worms need shelter from rains , so they come up and the cardboard will provide shelter and food too , they just love moist . cardboard . Let me know 👍
i m from mumbai too i m collecting in every rainy season but i m not able to make them .today i caught some but they r running out i dont know y but i saw something strange they r shining green n blue y this is good or bad?
Hi, what you are collecting could be regular earth worms or possibly African night crawlers . Red wigglers are smaller than the above two and red as the name suggests .
HI, a question raises all the time when I see your videos, and could not stop to ask you today. As I understood you are doing in an apartment, and due to this compost the place and near by may be gets the bad smell. How you reduce the smell. Is there any precautions to be taken?
Hello !! Thank you for asking this question. Yes I am composting and vermicomposting indoors and there is no smell at all !! One has to make sure that there are enough browns to balance out the greens - simple way to remember is the greens have to be between 2 layers of browns just like a sandwich , if one does this there is smell at all. The only reason smell will be there is if there is too much greens / kitchen waste and not enough dry leaves to balance it out . There will be no insects or fruit flies as long as top layer is at least 2 inches of dry leaves . Same for my worm bins , I always bury the scraps in a corner of the bin , never leave it on top uncovered . If it is difficult to find dry leaves in some months of the year , one can layer the compost with cocopeat ( a good option but one has to buy it ) or old potting mix ( which is the last option ). One year I made compost with just torn up brown cardboard as I had no place to store the dry leaves .
Thanks a lot for the reply. For the first time where can we get the worms? Regards
Is it not necessary to make holes at the bottom of the bin
Yes it's always better to have holes at the bottom . There are plenty of holes at the bottom of my bin too which you can see at the beginning of the video . However I don't have any liquids coming out because I always try to maintain balance of browns and greens and water the bin only when dry. If I add water melon peels I don't water the bin .
Could you please tell me what is the idea behind keeping the prepared bedding for 10 days?
2 reasons - # In a new worm bin bedding , preparing the bedding and letting it rest helps neutralize ph or any issues of cow manure , things just settle down . # one can add food scraps right after preparing the bedding and then let it stay for 10 days , this way the food has broken down already and is ready for the worms right after they are put in the worm bin ( I did not do this in the video , I should have ) . This way there are less chances of worms dying or trying to escape due to some issue in the bedding and food source is available right away.
Excellent video! Lots of great tips and helpful information. Cute kitties, too. :)
Thank you so much , glad you liked the video and the kitties too :):) .Hope you and your garden are doing well !!
I did the same like everyone was but my worms keep escaping from the bin and died so I covered them with mosquitoes net ! Btw your cat is so cute 😍
There are always losses when one starts , try the molasses trick . See all the videos in the playlist .
Thanks for the cat praise 😺.
I was really looking forward to this video. Love the cats 🐈😇😍😘 and Of course the worms
Thanks dear , Im glad I made this video :):) . Haha yes i love them both too !! The cat that appeared first was the one that knocked off my cherokee purple last season in one of his runs across the living room :):)
I have seen vani murthy video in which she adds half done compost regularly to the worm bin.Can I also do like that. How big is your bim.
Yes , she has added worms to her khumba composter and then she adds the half done cooled off compost on top for the worms. What she is doing is perfect for that pot , you can do the same , just add some worms to your compost pot or bin , then you need not make a new worm bin . I have mentioned the bin size in the video , in the beginning of the video.
Follow up question:: If maggots are accompanied along with half done compost, will the worm bin be affected? Can maggots and earthworms co-exist happily?
Thank you very much you are a great help and inspiration
hello mam...i have been composting for past 1 and half year and m very much interested and excited to start with vermicompost.. at the beginning i tried to added many worms from my plant pots in my already established composting bin but none survived or probably ran away.. also could you pls help me out with where an i get red wigglers. i stay in virar.
Hello Pratik . This would be the best time to start your worm bin , with the weather really cooling off and this would allow for addition of food scraps without worry . I got mine from Mr Prakash Dandekar , his number is in the description of the video . All my grow bags have red wigglers . The key to helping them to survive in your pots is to mulch your pots with dry leaves so that the worms get shelter from the sun and below the leaves you can put a banana peel every 2 weeks , this will provide them a food source and keep them happy. The dry leaves too will break down slowly upon watering and provide food for the worms . Hope this helps .
could you tell from where you bought this worm bin.I am from pune. TIA
Hi , I got this plastic crate from Crawford Market , in the Sadanand hotel lane . You should get it easily in Pune too , these are used by fruit and vegetable sellers to keep their produce etc . Arihant and Neelkamal plastics are the two good companies making these .
You are a gifted narrator. The Presentation was dame simple. Even an idiot can follow.
I hope many Mumbaikars take to composting. The waste problem is really getting out of hand.
May I ask if you do any presentation in school/college to spread the concept.
Thanks and God Bless.
Thank you so much , I am glad to receive your feedback that it was easy to understand. As a new composter one can get overwhelmed and I hope I can help through my videos . Yes the problem is out of hand but not too many people are aware or inclined . Everyone can do their bit even by just separating out the dry and wet wastes at their end which will also help. I am not doing the presentation in any academic institution , however I started to upload videos on you tube for this very purpose , when I started there wasn't too much information on the Indian front and I felt the need to document and share my journey so that others in Mumbai and India find it easy . Composting and vermicomposting are my pet projects along with gardening in a small space to make people realize alot can be done if one wishes to !!
I have very few young worms in the pot which I got from the nursery can I use them? Also in my place soil has earthworm can I use them for starter bin or should I get from people already doing wormicomposting? Please let me know
You need to confirm they are red wigglers . For now let them be as it is too hot to start a new bin , you could start once rains are here and preferebly with composting worms .
You are responding to all my queries. Thank you so much. I shall start worm bin once rain starts then :)