Worm Digest - Re:Sand in the worm bed??

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1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum

babalubird

User

A Hatchling Earthworm

Posts: 17

Sand in the worm bed?? - 2008/05/26 22:02 In another thread, someone stated they had added sand to the worm bed because the worms ate it to assist in their digestion process. Is that true? In which case, do I need to add sand to mine?

My bed is old worn-out potting soil I dumped out of some old flower pots and have been putting their food sources on top. I have only had the worms about two weeks. They seem to be doing ok, but would they do better if I added a little fine sand because of the needs of their digestive system?

Thanks.

Connie

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avidwormer
User

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 37

Re:Sand in the worm bed?? - 2008/05/27 06:52 There should be plenty of grit in the dirt that you have provided. You may want to add something for aeration and moisture retention. I've read that a handful of dirt is all that is needed in the worm bed. Too much dirt and things can get compacted. This would encourage anaerobic conditions in your bins.

We use coconut coir and newspaper print with only a handful of dirt in the initial bins. Stone dust and corn meal are also great options for grit. Avidwormer

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babalubird

User

A Hatchling Earthworm

Posts: 17

Re:Sand in the worm bed?? - 2008/05/27 10:17 Thanks, Avidwormer. This is such a great site with helpful people.

I just failed to mention I have added quite a bit torn-up paper to the mix and that did happen to get mixed in with the potting soil. I have parrots so besides a little contribution from our horses, the paper the worms get has a bit of bird "deposit" and old bird food pellets as well.

The old potting soil also seems to have quite a bit of very fine vermiculite or something like that in it. It must have been a pretty good potting soil at one time because it seems to stay pretty light and fluffy and doesn't compact.

Once again, thank you for answering my "duhhhh" beginner's questions.

Connie

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avidwormer
User

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 37

Re:Sand in the worm bed?? - 2008/05/27 11:04 I agree! This is a great forum. I've got my own questions posted all over the place.

I'm a newbie too. I just started in April with under 20lbs of red wigglers. It's been a huge learning curve and I've got a long way to go before I'm any kind of "expert." But this has been so much fun! I had no idea the worms would be so fascinating.

Given the right conditions, they pretty much fend for themselves. It's amazing to see the change in bin composition when you leave them alone for a week. From what I can tell, they're enjoying the bedding just as much as the produce scraps I'm feeding them.

I did notice, however, that even with newspaper and coir, it's a good idea to fluff it up occasionally. Things still tend to get compacted. Particularly if you're using plastic bins. I'm trying a few bins with wood chips as well. So it's trial and error here.

Avidwormer

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gnosnhoj

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 544

Re:Sand in the worm bed?? - 2008/05/27 20:39 I've never seen any need to add anything special for their gizzards. My bedding is shredded leaves, office/news paper and cardboard.
I think the l'il fellas ingest all kinds of bedding, but only extract nutrient value from the bits that are microbially active. To me that explains why new bins take longer to get cranking than a rebuild after vc harvest, for example.
Adding worms, 'not quite done' bedding and freshly rotting food imparts that microbial activity to new bedding, and the worms' movement and castings move the microherd all around, making everything tastier for 'em.
Keeping it all fluffy is a definite plus, although there are always some miscreants down in the most dense muckiest corners. Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY

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