wormman1980
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A Hatchling Earthworm
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Building a worm bed - 2008/03/01 16:35
I am looking to build an inside worm bed. It will measure about 4ft by 3ft. How would i go about building this? Would the timber need to be treated? Would the interior need to be lined? How high should i build it? Does it need drainage?
Many thanks for your help.
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wellsworms
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/02 08:35
wormman1980 wrote:
I am looking to build an inside worm bed. It will measure about 4ft by 3ft. How would i go about building this? Would the timber need to be treated? Would the interior need to be lined? How high should i build it? Does it need drainage?
Many thanks for your help.
wormman1980
check this link out for some ideas
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/the_worm_bin/photos/browse/86da
FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008 |
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squirminwormfarm
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/02 21:01
Don't need treated lumber. We use 1x pine boards and 1/4" screen bottoms...
Dave Wallace
Squirmin' Worm Farm
Plymouth, WI
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wormman1980
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A Hatchling Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/04 15:54
Thanks guys.
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Chana
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A Hatchling Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/10 14:42
what type of bin do folks prefer for indoor bin? I now have plastic storage bin-I am considering can-of-worms or something similar with multiple trays.I see that there are also large plastic bins-some with spouts for tea.
thanks-Chana
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jamesgang
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/10 14:59
Chana wrote:
what type of bin do folks prefer for indoor bin? I now have plastic storage bin-I am considering can-of-worms or something similar with multiple trays.I see that there are also large plastic bins-some with spouts for tea.
thanks-ChanaI've never purchased anything for bins. I've used plastic storage bin that I had laying around the house, plastic 55 gallon drums (cut in half) from a friend that works at a factory and 5 gallon buckets I've had left over from constuction jobs. These are things that would have been hauled to the landfill, so why not recycle them and use them for the worms.
Jim
Norwalk, Ohio |
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Kyle
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/10 18:54
IM building some worm bins out of wood. I get boards from work for free. I just brought home some 1x6 pine.
Perfect for building bins.
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Dean_W
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/10 18:56
James,
I have some 5-gallon buckets I plan on using. I plan on keeping them in the garage. Do you think it will get to hot for them? Maybe, I should start a new thread.
Dean
Dean
Cedar Park, TX |
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jamesgang
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/11 07:10
I'm in north central Ohio. My garage is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. Spring and fall would be the only times I could put the worms out there and I don't really want to move them twice a year. I keep mine in our basement. Gets a little chilly down there in the winter, doesn't hurt them, but it definately slows them down.
Jim
Norwalk, Ohio |
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Dean_W
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/11 10:31
Thanks, James something for me to consider.
Dean
Dean
Cedar Park, TX |
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gnosnhoj
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/11 21:39
Chana wrote:
what type of bin do folks prefer for indoor bin? I now have plastic storage bin-I am considering can-of-worms or something similar with multiple trays.I see that there are also large plastic bins-some with spouts for tea. thanks-Chana
Chana, I started with a Worm Factory (square Can-o -worms) and have decided that I like good old plastic bins better. Your decision depending on your goals. I see less maintenance and more vc with my plastic bins.
BTW, those spouts are to drain leachate, a result of too much moisture in the bin. Leachate is not tea. It is the gack from decomposition moisture and/or too much bin watering. Tea is a brew of finished vermicompost and fresh water.
I keep mine in our basement.Dang, jg - I wish I had a basement! I'd filter-box my clothes dryer exhaust heat right over a bunch of bins if it got chilly down there; damp heat right there  .
Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY |
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markbrauer
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/11 23:38
Dean. I tried the 5 gallon bucket thing. I wouldn't go against it, but one thing of advice. DO NOT roll the bins. You'll be tempted to, at least I was. I thought since it was higher than it was wide, that maybe I would need to aerate the bottom a bit. And turning the bins I ended up souring them something awful. I may try it again when I get a bigger heard, and I try a flow thru first. Just beware. If the bin goes bad, not a lot of room to help it out, small bins are less forgiving.
-:Mark:-
MEInc.us
Hampton, VA
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jamesgang
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 08:26
Gary, I do have the dryer exhausting into the basement. We only rent this house, so I can't do alot to upgrade the basement to keep the heat in. I think for next year, I'll insulate the windows (single pane) to keep it a little warmer.
Jim
Norwalk, Ohio |
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jlance
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 08:33
Dean,i use five gal.bucket and don't have any problems just put in smaller amount of worms and watch for compaction.when they start getting crowed i put them in totes or split.
john
heal the earth with worm farming.
John Lance Indain Valley,virginia |
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Dean_W
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 10:16
Thanks, you all! Mark, I'll be sure not to roll the bins. John, I'll watch for compaction.
Dean
Dean
Cedar Park, TX |
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Chana
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A Hatchling Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 11:31
thanks for all the help.One more question-can I use brown shopping bags for bedding? some have colored writing on them.I'm saving my rabbits bedding-paper pellets and wood stove pellets,along with manure-for bedding for the worms.Can I add the shredded brown bags(just trying to reuse)?
thanks-Chana
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jamesgang
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 12:13
I've used all kinds of different paper and never had a problem with any of the ink. I believe they all have to be made from materials that aren't toxic so that children won't get ill if they decide to chew on them. One of my favorite things to do when I was a kid!
Jim
Norwalk, Ohio |
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redhen
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 12:17
I would prefer something with more surface area than a 5 gallon bucket provides.
I shred my paper grocery bags often and the worms love them.
Susan Quinby-Honer
redhen@nc.rr.com
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jamesgang
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 13:00
Redhen, I agree that the 5 gallon buckets aren't the best for surface area. I've been trying to come up with an idea for smaller bins that I could stack on shelves. I need a size that wouldn't become too heavy when the castings start to add up.(have had a bad back for years and its not gonna get better) I like my 55 gallon drums that are cut lengthwise in half, but the bending over them limits the amount of time I can harvest. What would you recommend as the smallest size in length, width and height? I was gonna start looking for some type of plastic bins as they would be alot lighter than any wood ones I could make. Thanks.
Jim
Norwalk, Ohio |
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jamesgang
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 13:01
Guess I should have put that question out to everyone instead of just Redhen. Sorry guys and gals!
Jim
Norwalk, Ohio |
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Dean_W
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 14:31
I agree a 5-gallon bucket isn't ideal, but it's what I have to start w/. I want to start w/ just 1lb of worms and see what happens from there.
Dean
Dean
Cedar Park, TX |
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wellsworms
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 16:42
h i use the rectangular kitty liter pails i have posted pictures on how t make them before i have two sets going now with severial thousand in each i keep feeding them to my sons oscars never seen to run out  if you look at the lower left part of the outsude pail you see a drain hole
Post edited by: wellsworms, at: 2008/03/12 16:44
FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008 |
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wellsworms
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 16:47
heres a picture of the vent and drainage holes  drill 1/2"holes in both the top and bottom.. covers have tic marks to help with lining up the holes
Post edited by: wellsworms, at: 2008/03/12 16:50
Post edited by: wellsworms, at: 2008/03/12 16:51
FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008 |
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Dean_W
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A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 17:11
Wow, several thousand in each!
Dean
Dean
Cedar Park, TX |
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jlance
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Building a worm bed - 2008/03/12 19:40
I wouldn't put a half lb.in a five gal.bucket but if its all you got just try to split them a month or so.
heal the earth with worm farming.
John Lance Indain Valley,virginia |
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