wormwrangler
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Finished Castings - 2008/03/24 03:52
I get the same experience as you do with my 3 tier system. Although I never have a problem with the bedding drying, more like too much moisture most of the time. The worms seem to like it wet though as you say.
Now in my big bins the castings come out completely different than the tier systems. The castings are still moist and cling together, but it isnt at all like mud or dirt. It looks more like coffee grounds, but smells like fresh soil.
The people that I sell the castings to like the castings from the big bins more than the other. They like the way it looks and works in their gardens or potting mix. They have hard a time believing that the castings from the tier systems is really castings, they think it is just dirt. Good looking dirt, but still dirt LOL.
Also the castings from the big bins, when dry is tiny, and capsule shaped. It retains water real well, and keeps the soil from compacting. It also kinda acts like tiny time release capsules because of the outer covering or membrane that keeps it from just melting away. I guess if I left the castings in the bins longer, maybe a couple more months longer it would get to the consistancy of mud like the tiered systems do.
I just let the castings sit in a unused bin until they are dry, then measure out for sale by volume not weight. My customers really like to see a little moisture in the castings, just enough that when you squeeze in your hand it will stick together, but will fall apart easily. It just looks and smells better with a little moisture.
Try some out on your friends and neighbors to see which way they like the castings. 
Worm Wrangler |
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