Comments on: Various Stages Of Vermicomposting

By: fosteem1

fosteem1 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:36:17 +0000

Aaahh! All that …
Aaahh! All that stirring. Poor worms.

By: cruff93154

cruff93154 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:36:16 +0000

This is actually a …
This is actually a bone of contention with me. My opinion after worm bin composting for over 10 years is that the worms prefer bedding that is loose from stirring. My bins are healthier and populations heavier in bins that have been Stirred. So while we know worms do not like the light, they are constantly on the move and have an easier time of it in bedding that is loose and not compact. So stir or not stir? I vote for stirring. The worms are happiest.

By: cruff93154

cruff93154 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:36:15 +0000

I would not turn …
I would not turn the bin more than once a week. In a traditional bin the turning process helps speed the process by turning the outer portions of the material into the center where the active composting can begin working on the outer material. This is not why you turn a worm bin. You turn a worm bin for the health of the worms, because they need air and appreciate a loose bedding to move through.
Turn more frequently would needlessly stress the worms.

By: grymmtymm

grymmtymm — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:36:15 +0000

you say at least …
you say at least once a week to turn, would anymore be harmful? say twice a week?
because when you compost you want to turn every few days, so i figure that would help speed the process.

By: rileannas

rileannas — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:36:14 +0000

I find when I turn …
I find when I turn my worm bin too often, the finished castings mix in with everything else instead of settling to the bottom, and harvesting takes WAY longer.