I just started a worm farm! I’ve watched a ton of videos then DIY’d a bin tower system. It’s currently living on top of my washing machine. 🤣 I also made my own worm chow from expired flour, oats, and starches from my pantry. Looking forward to following your worm journey! 🪱
That's so exciting!! I've been perplexed by the creativity of so many worm farmers. Success is found in so many different ways! Also - catch me moving my worm farm around constantly. It's currently in the garage because it's been so hot! I'm sure they'll end up on top of my washer this winter 😂 best of luck!!!
It's best to not have holes in the bottom. Just don't overwater. If you do overwater, add some more cardboard to soak it up. Leachate often contains bad bacteria. You'll also find that cardboard sheets will be full of worms and hard to remove. I use the bins with the holes to bait them out of the bottom bin once the bottom bin is full of castings
I came to the same conclusion about worms balling up. I harvested a 200-gallon water trough (castings). Leaving 25 percent for the worms, not enough. Came back a week later and worms were balled up. I removed about 7 pounds of worms. Haven't had an issue with the water trough since. I think you were spot on. Not sure if it was related but the temperature in bin dropped from 90 degrees to 80 after removing worms. I buy the too soft avocados from our local grocery store for .25 cents each their happy to sell them instead of tossing them.
I believe the holes in the top would have been plenty . When you put that many holes in the bin you limit your room . You’ve made a 20 gallon bin into a ten gallon bin . As you’ve already learned your worm population will always need more space . I don’t use the tower system . If things get too wet I add more cardboard . Your worms will move up away from the liquid . So unless you’re making worm tea you don’t need a bin for water.
It would hurt my heart to drill holes in my sexy bins😬 so I just practice good moisture management, that way I have the extra bins to grow my farm. Honestly you should never have extra juices running off, put dry cardboard under your feeding zones. Also keeping some peat moss around and add some to the bottom of the bin when you fluff it up😉
These are some great ideas! There's some new research being done by a man in Costa Rica who's been collecting data on the benefits of worm leachate on large scale farms. The results have been incredible! I haven't ran into any problems with my leachate collection or use (yet 😅). Also, yes, it was quite painful drilling holes in nice bins. I have another farming method that will be coming out in the coming weeks that includes the bin holes... stay tuned 👀🤗
I just started a worm farm! I’ve watched a ton of videos then DIY’d a bin tower system. It’s currently living on top of my washing machine. 🤣 I also made my own worm chow from expired flour, oats, and starches from my pantry.
Looking forward to following your worm journey! 🪱
That's so exciting!! I've been perplexed by the creativity of so many worm farmers. Success is found in so many different ways! Also - catch me moving my worm farm around constantly. It's currently in the garage because it's been so hot! I'm sure they'll end up on top of my washer this winter 😂 best of luck!!!
It's best to not have holes in the bottom. Just don't overwater. If you do overwater, add some more cardboard to soak it up. Leachate often contains bad bacteria. You'll also find that cardboard sheets will be full of worms and hard to remove. I use the bins with the holes to bait them out of the bottom bin once the bottom bin is full of castings
This is great advice! I'll have to try some of this soon.
Just started my Worm Cafe 3 weeks ago!
Woohoo! Also, "worm cafe" is the best reference I've yet to hear for a worm farm. I love it 😂
I came to the same conclusion about worms balling up. I harvested a 200-gallon water trough (castings). Leaving 25 percent for the worms, not enough. Came back a week later and worms were balled up. I removed about 7 pounds of worms. Haven't had an issue with the water trough since. I think you were spot on. Not sure if it was related but the temperature in bin dropped from 90 degrees to 80 after removing worms. I buy the too soft avocados from our local grocery store for .25 cents each their happy to sell them instead of tossing them.
I'm happy to hear it isn't just me wondering if that were the case! Also, the temperature drop is quite interesting. Neat observation!
I believe the holes in the top would have been plenty . When you put that many holes in the bin you limit your room . You’ve made a 20 gallon bin into a ten gallon bin . As you’ve already learned your worm population will always need more space . I don’t use the tower system . If things get too wet I add more cardboard . Your worms will move up away from the liquid . So unless you’re making worm tea you don’t need a bin for water.
Greta feedback! I'm learning a lot from others and by experience. Thank you!
It would hurt my heart to drill holes in my sexy bins😬 so I just practice good moisture management, that way I have the extra bins to grow my farm. Honestly you should never have extra juices running off, put dry cardboard under your feeding zones. Also keeping some peat moss around and add some to the bottom of the bin when you fluff it up😉
These are some great ideas! There's some new research being done by a man in Costa Rica who's been collecting data on the benefits of worm leachate on large scale farms. The results have been incredible! I haven't ran into any problems with my leachate collection or use (yet 😅).
Also, yes, it was quite painful drilling holes in nice bins. I have another farming method that will be coming out in the coming weeks that includes the bin holes... stay tuned 👀🤗
I clean Poly John's for a living can you tell how a worm can live in that
Charles Dowding actually uses human manure and finds great success with it 🙈
Have you started a worm farm? Let me know below!!
Great invitation on starting a worm farm 🇳🇿🪱
Thank you so much! It's been a fun journey!