Larry C
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/04 14:40
On the 3' x 8' raised bed I am building, I had planned to collect the leachate from the drain holes, thinking that this would be worm tea.
From what I've been just reading on the forum this isn't the worm tea. Is there any purpose to collect this leachate? my bed will be inside a barn elevated off of a concrete floor. Should I collect it to avoid it dripping on the floor and attracting pests?
And secondly, how is worm tea properly made. I see a local worm grower is selling it for $17 per quart!
Larry
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vermiman
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A Mature Breeder Earthworm
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/04 19:53
A well kept bin should have little to no leachate. The leachate could be good or bad depending on what is picked up during its exodus out of the bin.
It's Black Gold!! It's Squirmy Tea!!
John 3:16
Acts 2:21 |
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gnosnhoj
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/04 19:59
You could always use it to water ornamentals, Larry. Me, I wouldn't put it anywhere near edibles. Yeah, I imagine it'd draw some critters into the barn if ya just let it sit.
Ideally, you won't have any drippage from your bins.
As for tea, here's one idea. This is how I do mine, pretty much:
http://www.deuleysown.com/how%20to%20make%20compost%20teamaker/how%20to%20make%20your%20own%
20teamaker.htm
Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY |
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jillhasworms
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A Fertile Cocoon
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/08 02:21
oh my, making worm tea is a huge discussion. But I would NEVER toss out the drainage, I think it always has good nutuition. Probably better than worm tea? I think so...............comments?
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Swimmus
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A Mature Breeder Earthworm
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/08 10:21
No,the drainage sometimes can be poison, depending on the bin. The more moisture a bin has,the more likely it is to compact. Compactions lead to the the loss of Oxygen, or going anaroebic. That condition will create a gas that kills your worms.
Bottom line, don't let your bin get to the point you have drainage.
Happy Worming
jillhasworms wrote:
oh my, making worm tea is a huge discussion. But I would NEVER toss out the drainage, I think it always has good nutuition. Probably better than worm tea? I think so...............comments?
www.wormcrusader.com |
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gnosnhoj
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/08 21:54
Hi and welcome, jhw.
Leachate does not have the benefits of actual worm tea since it is not the result of worm processing. It is simply excess moisture from chow decomposition and/or overwatering. I've read posts from 1 or 2 folks who have seen favorable results while using it on ornamentals, but not many and not lately.
As others have said, if your bin is just right you oughtn't have any drainage.
IMHO, decomp drainage is not what I want to use in any of my planting beds, edible or not.
Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY |
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Larry C
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/08 22:42
Thanks everyone for all the input. I had read in Peter Bogdanov's book on commercial vermiculture the following on page 27 which confused me:
"To capture the worm tea, use sheets of corrugated fiberglass under the worm bed slightly elevating one side of the bed and the sheets below, allowing the leachate to drain from the worm bed onto the corrugated material and down into a receptacle. Or perhaps a better plan is to split 4" or larger plastic pipe lengthwise and place these portions directly under the drain holes. Collect the fluid into a receptable. This leachate is an excellent liquid orgainic fertilzer"
I didn't think the drainage would actually be worm tea. If that was the case, you could just water the beds heavily to make it and sometimes it would be weaker and other times stronger. Not consistent enough to market.
Larry
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gnosnhoj
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/09 09:11
Larry, I'd bet if you searched every vermi forum that you could find, 98% of the herders posting would tell you what we've said here.
Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY |
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redhen
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/09 21:43
I had read in Peter Bogdanov's book
How long ago did he write that book?
I will bet if he revisited it he might have a whole other opinion of that leachate.
Susan Quinby-Honer
redhen@nc.rr.com
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Larry C
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/10 02:51
I believe it was 1996 when it was written. Thanks everyone for all your input. Us newbies really appreciate it 
Larry
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nuismom
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A Fertile Cocoon
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/25 11:10
Well, I'll be darned. I started my worm composting in 1991 and NOW I find out that the leachate is not worm tea! I read it was back in the early 90's when I was getting starter info. and I have been spreading the false information to those whom I have given worms to and gotten them going on vermicomposting. Darn. Now I will have to tell them I was wrong, but I am ever so thankful I found out the 21 century's worm tea facts and formula.
Thanks everyone.
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mikel
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/30 20:24
gnosnhoj wrote:
Hi and welcome, jhw.
Leachate does not have the benefits of actual worm tea since it is not the result of worm processing. It is simply excess moisture from chow decomposition and/or overwatering. I've read posts from 1 or 2 folks who have seen favorable results while using it on ornamentals, but not many and not lately.
As others have said, if your bin is just right you oughtn't have any drainage.
IMHO, decomp drainage is not what I want to use in any of my planting beds, edible or not.
I completely agree with this!
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Larry C
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/08/31 01:14
Okay, so if I don't over water I shouldn't have any drainage, and if I do get a little, there's no point trying to collect it.
I checked out the link earlier in this thread that Gary posted on how to make tea. According to this, you cannot store it once it's made.
Here is a link to a local worm grower in Olympia WA that is selling "worm tea" which they make from running water through the worms and castings. They claim their tea never expires. Any comments?
http://wiserwormfarm.com/
Larry
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gnosnhoj
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Re:Another question on my first bin - 2008/09/04 22:07
Larry C wrote:
They claim their tea never expires. Any comments?
http://wiserwormfarm.com/
Larry
Yep. It oughtn't hurt anything, but the microbial mass in the mix will be minimal compared to a fresh home-brewed batch.
For less than the price of one of their quarts you could put together everything you need to make your own avct.
...and ya know what yer herd's been munchin', dontcha?
Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY |
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