Worm bin concepts

[Seandawg]

Please excuse my complete confusion to this forum protocol. Im completely new to this site with a relatively simple question...

My current worm bin set up could be described as... Primitive. It works, but just barely. Im basically asking for flow through worm bin designs. Any thoughts, ideas, concept designs, or just simple words of advice would be appreciated.

SD

 

[OrganicBuds]

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=60422

This thread will teach you anything you need to know. I also posted different bin designs in that thread as well. Good luck.

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Description here

 

[ClackamasCootz]

My personal favorite - Horizontal Flow-Thru

Feed on one side and when it's nearly finished, start adding material to the other side - the worms migrate, collect the castings and then re-load the first side when the other side is finished

 

[ClackamasCootz]

CompostSak (brand name from SmartPots) - $39.99 for 100 gallon sack

 

[Seandawg]

Nice!

Thanks due to both of you!

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Down & Dirty - PVC frame with horticulture fabric (Home Depot)

 

[ClackamasCootz]

My goal - there is a bar that you move from left to right which pulls the castings down for harvest - a modified flow-through design.

Bring cash

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Worm Power in Upstate New York - largest vermicomposting operation in North America - over 110,000,000 worms in production. Certified organic by USDA, OTA, et al.

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Here's one that is built from a single sheet of 1/2" plywood

Here's the entire Material List:

Materials:

1 - sheet of 1/2" plywood
1 - 14" utility 2 x 4
1 - 16' utility 2 x 4
1 lb. - 4d galvanized nails
1/4 lb. - 16d galvanized nails
2 - 3" door hinges

This gives you a rectangle box and you could build a frame with screen and divide this unit giving you a horizontal flow-thru bin.

This is probably the least expensive way to go - the only real cost is the sheet of plywood

 

[Seandawg]

My goal - there is a bar that you move from left to right which pulls the castings down for harvest - a modified flow-through design.

Bring cash

View Image

CC,
This is a design i saw earlier today while looking for various designs for potential future set ups.

Also, wow! Thanks for all the help and replies.

One last thing, i started my first application of a basil botanical tea. In an attempt to fight off a minor lace bug battle. Do you think that it'll be effective against this particular enemy? Or should i be angling differently?

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Green Lacewing? Like this one?

 

[shmalphy]

Mine is primitive as well. I would like to improve it though.

I built a 1 square foot 2 tier worm bin with wood edges and screen. I plan to let it fill up with worms and then divide it into 2 and let them both fill up, then make a larger one, probably 2x2. This should give me a small batch of castings, plenty of worms to start a bigger bin, and I can donate the small one to someone else.

Started with leaves, and cardboard as bedding and fed them some grass clippings and a rotten tomato. Got the worms form my compost pile.

 

[jerry111165]

I don't like putting stuff like rotten tomatoes into my bin. It causes wet/muddy spots and seems to draw flies. I'd rather throw the tomatoes into my compost heaps and then once it's composted or even semi-composted then I feed it to the worms.

Just preference I guess. Hi Sean.

J.

 

[ClackamasCootz]

I don't like putting stuff like rotten tomatoes into my bin. It causes wet/muddy spots and seems to draw flies. I'd rather throw the tomatoes into my compost heaps and then once it's composted or even semi-composted then I feed it to the worms.

Jerry

A consistent hymn at worm bin sites is "My worms are dying and the Rubbermaid bin stinks!" - i.e. anaerobic conditions brought on by too much water from adding fruits & vegetables that have high-water content. Which would include almost all fruits and since tomatoes are a fruit......

"I have to! My worms are picky eaters!"

No problem because the site is only too happy to sell you another batch of worms and at $30.00+ a lb. I'd love it too.

We used to microwave
Now we just eat nuts and berries
You got it, you got it

 

[Seandawg]

Green Lacewing? Like this one?

View Image

Lace bug!
These little butt holes are persistent!
I've managed just about everything else with no problem. Soap seems to work on direct applications. But i dont feel like treating my entire plant with that crap just to catch one last lace bug. They're sucker bugs, and quite a pain i might add!

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7428.html

I don't like putting stuff like rotten tomatoes into my bin. It causes wet/muddy spots and seems to draw flies. I'd rather throw the tomatoes into my compost heaps and then once it's composted or even semi-composted then I feed it to the worms.

Just preference I guess. Hi Sean.

J.

I agree! For the most part soggy things like that i leave out. My issue is mainly with harvesting my bins without doing harm. Hence the decision to go flow through.

Hi also Jerry!

 

[Seandawg]

Green Lacewing? Like this one?

View Image

Lace bug!
These little butt holes are persistent!
I've managed just about everything else with no problem. Soap seems to work on direct applications. But i dont feel like treating my entire plant with that crap just to catch one last lace bug. They're sucker bugs, and quite a pain i might add!

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7428.html

I don't like putting stuff like rotten tomatoes into my bin. It causes wet/muddy spots and seems to draw flies. I'd rather throw the tomatoes into my compost heaps and then once it's composted or even semi-composted then I feed it to the worms.

Just preference I guess. Hi Sean.

J.

I agree! For the most part soggy things like that i leave out. My issue is mainly with harvesting my bins without doing harm. Hence the decision to go flow through.

Hi also Jerry!

 

[JoeDudeGuy]

http://www.organicgardeninfo.com/images/eggplant-lace-bug.jpg My issue is mainly with harvesting my bins without doing harm. Hence the decision to go flow through.

I am new to the world of vermicomposting (I just got my secret decoder ring even!), and that right there is the concept that I have yet to figure out. I can only imagine using my hands and wrangling out handfuls of worms (and poo) so as to be gentle enough. I fear a shovel would slice through them way too easily.

I am with CC in the horizontal flow looking like the easiest idea for sure. I may have to try to incorporate that into my process, which is a #20 (20 gallon) smart-pot for all-around air-flow.

And since it's "the thing to do", Hi Sean !

 

[RanchoDeluxe]

Stack two rubbermaids on top of each other. Drill holes through the bottom of the upper rubbermaid straight through the lid on the lower rubbermaid. Attach the two together with wingnuts.The holes allow the worms to pass through. Drill some tiny holes in the bottom of the lower rubbermaid and on the lid of the upper rubbermaid. When one bin is done the worms will migrate to the other where there is more food.

 

[shmalphy]

I just made a new compost bin out of pallets, and I am putting them all next to each other with a shared wall so the worms can migrate from one to another.

I usually get so many worms in my compost, I was just treating the worm bin like another compost bin. I had no idea they didn't like fruit, anything else I should avoid, or anything in particular that is good?