Worm Digest - Re:Plastic Bins without drainage holes????

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BigTexWorms
User

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 50

Plastic Bins without drainage holes???? - 2009/01/14 22:38 Long time reader, new poster, here.
Thinking of growing my worm herd and would like some input. Been a personal vermicomposter for years and I have so many friends who want worms that I thought I might expand.
I have read some posters say they do not have drainage holes in the bins and I am wondering how you make that work. I seem to have a lot of leachate and cannot imagine NOT having drainage holes but thought I would ask.
Thanks, Liz Liz aka BigTexWorms
http://bigtexworms.webs.com

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WistarWorms

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 141

Re:Plastic Bins without drainage holes???? - 2009/01/15 10:26 Hey Liz,

I'm one of those people that does not put drainage holes in their bins. I have (15) 18-gal bins down in my mud room and they are all doing fine with no water accumulating in the bottom. I keep an eye on the moisure level with each feeding. There are three things I try to do to keep the moisture level correct.

1) I try to alternate feedings of wet and dry foods.

2) I make sure to have several inches of dry shredded paper on top of the bedding to soak up the excess moisture.

3) I cut a large opening in the lids and covered it with 1/8" screening to promote air circulation and help with moisture control.

The shredded paper on top helps to wick the moisture up from the bedding, but keeps the bedding from drying out too quickly.

Hope this explanation was helpful. We Are WORM - Resistance Is Futile!
Buddy
Richmond, VA

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BorealWormer

User

A Hatchling Earthworm

Posts: 23

Re:Plastic Bins without drainage holes???? - 2009/01/15 12:38 I use a turkey baster as described in the Worms Eat My Garbage book. Boreal Wormer

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redhen

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 703

Re:Plastic Bins without drainage holes???? - 2009/01/15 13:32 I seem to have a lot of leachate and cannot imagine NOT having drainage holes
If you have a lot of drainage then I would suggest you start learning why you have so much and how to dry things up more.
Once you have a bin going with little or no drainage, then you might want to try it with no drainage holes.
(Think of the drainage holes like training wheels)
I have some bins with and without and just think having the holes there is less managing. Susan Quinby-Honer
redhen@nc.rr.com
Starve the Landfill...Feed the Earth.

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BigTexWorms
User

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 50

Re:Plastic Bins without drainage holes???? - 2009/01/15 16:48 I know exactly why I have leachate: From the food. I see much more leachate when I use the food processor to chop food. I am still learning, thanks for all the tips. I am surely a work in progress. And I will not give up!
Liz Liz aka BigTexWorms
http://bigtexworms.webs.com

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digger123
User

A Mature Breeder Earthworm

Posts: 92

Re:Plastic Bins without drainage holes???? - 2009/01/26 23:17 I too use no drainage holes in some of my bins. I use horse manure which does not produce moisture and when its needed I add some food scraps. I just emptied one today and it was loaded with babies etc so I know they are happy.

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