Composting with worms

[robyn514]

Hi Everyone!
I really want to compost this year and I started in a large rubbermaid container due to lack of space. I know worms speed up the process and add to the garden. I have tried putting worms in twice and both times they died within a week. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?!? Does anyone have any advice?
Thanks in advance....
Robyn

[pixelphoto]

they are dieing for a reason. Not seeing or know exactly what you are doing there are many factors that could be involved.
Too much water will drown them.
not enough food.
too hot plastic doesnt breath well and with the sun hitting it during the day it can get too hot for the worms.
not the right types of food......too acidic for the worms is not good.
I use shredded newspaper for bedding wet it till moist. Add top soil and compost.
Make sure if you are adding any compost or manure that it has already been composted. Compost can get hot and kill them when its composting thats why its always best to compost first them feed to the worms after your compost pile has cooled down.

Maybe you can give us more detail as to what you feed them where they are located and more.
Thanks Mike

[GreenGirl85]

Hi Everyone!
I really want to compost this year and I started in a large rubbermaid container due to lack of space. I know worms speed up the process and add to the garden. I have tried putting worms in twice and both times they died within a week. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?!? Does anyone have any advice?
Thanks in advance....
Robyn

Sometimes it depends on the type of worms you purchase. There is a difference between earthworms and composting worms. Eisenia fetida, or red wigglers, are the type of worms commonly used for composting.

I recently bought a Worm Factory because I live in an apartment. The reason why I bought it was because it looked like it would be perfect fit for my kitchen. My favorite thing about the Worm Factory is the instruction manual. The instruction manual gives great instructions on how to set it up and has a ton of information on how the process is actually working. There is also a link that directs you to a national worm directory so you can purchase the right worms for composting. I hardly knew anything about worm composting before I started and now I feel like an expert!

So far, I've been very impressed with the product. If I ever encounter a problem, I can fix it quickly by referencing the instruction manual. I recommend trying it if you live in an apartment or are new to worm composting.

[robyn514]

That sounds great! Where did you get the worm factory? I would love to try it.
Robyn

[opabinia51]

I don't know about a worm factory but you can build a worm bin for a fraction of the cost of a bought worm bin.

Just purchase a tote box and drill holes in the sides and along the bottom in a manner such that drippings can fall into a drip pan.

Place the box on some bricks and purchase one of the aluminum baking pans and place it under the bin.

Place leaves or shredded newspaper (I prefer leaves) in the bin and wet them with some water. Ask a friend with an existing compost pile for some of their red wrigglers (really expensive to buy). Place the worms in your bin and just add to vegetables scaps (chopped up) to the bind.

Be sure to dig down a bit each time that you add your scraps. Works like a charm


Opabinia51

[robyn514]

Thanks for the advice. I looked online at worm factories and was surprised at the costs (average $100) for a kit. I am going for the cost effective method Unfortunately, I am a lonely gardener and don't have any friends with compost piles and/or worms. I do live near a lake and can buy Red Wigglers for fairly cheap.
Take Care- Robyn

[opabinia51]

Not a problem, that's what we're here for.

[GreenGirl85]

I got mine on eBay for about $65. It is an investment, but the best investment I've made for my plants. The compost is definitely the best I've used.

Be careful though, my friend said there is a copy cat worm factory that has a slanted lid. The original worm factory has a flat top and come in two colors.

I bought the terracotta

[robyn514]

Thanks....I never think about trying Ebay.