Worm Compost - Make it Yourself or Buy?

[slx2007]

Does it worth the effort for us to make worm compost ourselves. Some worm compost bin cost $100 each?

[doccat5]

Jeepers! We made our for about $10.00 and they are doing fine. Here are some sites for you to check out. We gathered our worms from around our compost bin, so that was a freebie.

http://www.newfarm.org/features/0804/wormbin/index.shtml

http://www.digitalseed.com/composter/vermicomposting.html

[slx2007]

Jeepers! We made our for about $10.00 and they are doing fine. Here are some sites for you to check out. We gathered our worms from around our compost bin, so that was a freebie.

http://www.newfarm.org/features/0804/wormbin/index.shtml

http://www.digitalseed.com/composter/vermicomposting.html

Thank You doccat5. Your links are very helpful.

Yes, I would rather gardening too.

[opabinia51]

A hundred dollars is a little pricey. The only expensive part of making a compost bin is buying the red wriggler worms they are usually between 5 and 10 dollars a pound. But worth the expenditure.

Theywill turn compostables into luscious soil in about a month and you don't need to turn the compost

[doccat5]

They are the undervalued "work horses" of the garden. The more I read about these little creatures the more amazing they are. There are multiple species of earthworms which I didn't realize until I started doing some research.

six2007, you do need to be careful about overfeeding them in the bins. If you use wet shredded newspaper for bedding you hardly have to add anything at first. You wet the newspaper and then press most of the water out of it, so nothing runs out when you squeeze it.
We're so pleased with the results of this first bin, we're going to start another bin. It normally takes about 6 months to get much in the way of castings. We started this one in Feb and you can see the castings all over the sides.

I'll try to get some decent pictures, it's pretty cool My 4 year old DGD thinks the worms are neat! LOL I also do a class on worms for a Master Gardener project. It's designed for 1st and 3rd graders and that is always a hoot! The little ones are so funny and it is so much fun. They are fascinated by the idea that I "grow" my own worms.........LOL

[opabinia51]

And if you simply start a compost pile in your garden they will come so, if you don't mind waiting a bit, you can get them for free.

[slx2007]

And if you simply start a compost pile in your garden they will come so, if you don't mind waiting a bit, you can get them for free.

Thanks opabinia51.

So should I cover the compost with soil and how can I keep the worm around?

Thanks

[doccat5]

six2007, you build a compost bin and keep it going, you won't have to worry about the worms going anywhere. Compost to them is all you an eat buffet, they call the relatives.........LOL

[opabinia51]

Exactly, just have the compost right in the ground with the bin around it. So long as you keep adding to the bin, the worms will stay and preproduce so much that you'll be swimming in them. It's truly amazing to watch.

And if you use sheet composting in your garden, you'll have them in there as well. The are great little guys. I love em!

[doccat5]

If you have worms it means your soil is getting richer all the time. Their "castings" or worm poop is wonderful for plants.

Here's a another site for homemade worm bins:

http://www.whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/Easywormbin.htm

[slx2007]

I started a compost pile on the ground already. How can I konw if any worm is coming?

[doccat5]

Turn it in the cool areas, you will see worms, just remember they don't like bright light so they won't stick around long.

[slx2007]

Does this a good idea to you guys

Link to eBay

[doccat5]

That's not a bad price for that setup at $65.00, but I see there are multiple bids.

[slx2007]

The buy it now price is 79.95 plus shipping. So it is about $100 for the compost bin. I think I just follow your instruction to make one myself.

Any good place to buy worm?

[cynthia_h]

Most independent garden-supply stores will have worms for sale. You need to ask them. A nursery near me has them, but I had to ask, since the worms were in a special container (cooler? refrigerator?) that I couldn't see beneath a utility sink.

Good luck!

Cynthia H.
El Cerrito, CA