#91912
February 6th, 2007 at 11:37 AM
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Joined: Sep 2002
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For tea, I don't have the spout on my bin, but I just take a couple good handfuls of the compost that I have collected from the bin, put it into a five gallon bucket and fill that with water. Thnen I let it steep for a few days .......
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#91913
February 12th, 2007 at 02:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
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hi there, i'm hoping melcon will bring down some of her worms next week??? I have a 5 gallon bucket, with a spout on the bottom. i have placed rocks and an old window screen on the bottom to collect the "tea" but prevent the worms and debris from going down to the spout.
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#91914
February 12th, 2007 at 07:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2002
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Hey Christine! I'll be happy to bring you down some worms next week! You better remind me again the day I'm leaving (Sunday) or I'll forget again!
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#91915
February 15th, 2007 at 02:06 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Hmmmmm.... I have regular old earthworms in the yard... would they work for something like this??
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#91916
February 15th, 2007 at 08:17 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
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The worms best suited to worm composting are the redworms: Eisenia foetida (commonly known as red wiggler. I would suggest you check out the other forums on this site about worm bins or worms. I found a wealth of great informaton about worms right here at the Garden Helper.
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#91917
February 17th, 2007 at 08:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
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is there a certaintime of the year to start a worm bin? cani keep it in my garage?
where do i get red wigglers?
thanks for your help!
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#91918
February 17th, 2007 at 08:31 PM
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Compost Queen!
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Compost Queen!
Joined: Apr 2003
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Originally posted by coachdaisy: is there a certaintime of the year to start a worm bin? cani keep it in my garage?
Is your garage heated???????
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#91919
February 17th, 2007 at 08:39 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
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no, my garage is not heated. and in case you need to know, i leave in PA.
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#91920
February 17th, 2007 at 08:44 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
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If it won't freeze too much your garage may work out. When the weather conditions are more favorable to "worm travel" I can mail you some to start you off.
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#91921
February 17th, 2007 at 11:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
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#91922
February 18th, 2007 at 03:05 AM
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Compost Queen!
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Compost Queen!
Joined: Apr 2003
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I agree with Patti on the temps' for the Red Wiggliers', any info I've read they can't be in an unheated area.. Especially when the Northeast is subject to BLIZZARDS' and SUB~ZERO TEMPS'.. A garage would be okay in late~late spring and early fall.. but needs heat/warmth/freezing protections..
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#91923
February 18th, 2007 at 04:34 AM
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Joined: Oct 2003
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I'm not sure if I agree, Weezie. Granted I live in FL, but we're getting sub-freezing temps at night and my worms are doing just fine. One thing to keep in mind is that the bin generates a fair amount of heat, and if the outer parts are too cold the worms will move in towards the center. I would guess that for that reason a bigger bin has a better chance of surviving the winter in very cold areas, but I don't think it's impossible.
The 50-80 range has been exceeded in both directions here, and my bin is overpopulated if anything.
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#91924
February 18th, 2007 at 05:47 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Boxmonkey, are you composting with Eisenia Fetida or Eisenia hortensis worms in your bins?
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#91925
February 19th, 2007 at 10:09 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
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can someone explain to me worm tea? what do you use it for? how often. etc.
thanks!!!
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#91926
February 19th, 2007 at 10:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Coachdaisy, worm tea is made from liquid that drains out of the worm bin or you can put some of the worm casings in a very fine mesh bag or some cheesecloth and soak that in a container of water for a few days. Worm tea is used the same as fertilizer, but I think it's much better because it's all natural. Whenever I use the liquid that drains out of the bin I dilute it with 50% water, but if I use the cheesecloth bag, I use that liquid full-strength.
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#91927
February 20th, 2007 at 01:10 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
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thanks patches for the info.
i'm excited over worms!
this is all new to me, but i want to have a successful veggie gaqrden to show my daughters that nature and natural are imoprtant aspects of life. i am going to try very hard to do everything organicly.
jonni13- i would love some of your worms when the weather is ideal. thanks for offering!
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#91928
February 20th, 2007 at 01:43 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Actually, Tina is the resident expert on worms
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#91929
March 5th, 2007 at 04:53 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
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I am no expert. I stumble along. My worms are outside all the time. We have had some record breaking cold this year, sustained. They are doing just fine. I would guess my bin is about as long as three of the sterlite bins, side by side. And slightly deeper. And it generated enough warmth so the unusual snow melted off it before anything else. The worms were fine. I've learned an awful lot from just this thread. And they have distant cousins all over the country now.
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#91930
March 5th, 2007 at 05:13 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Hey Tina, you're certainly an expert to me!
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#91931
March 5th, 2007 at 10:11 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
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That is so neat . I just put leaves and kitchen scraps in compost piles . I added some left over worms from the boys going fishing and they had bought bait from a shop that produces them locally . Now I just throw a ton of leaves over the garden spot at the end of gardening season and over winter and the worms have found a good home and air rate the soil for me . I add the compost piles to the garden when I till and when I plant and there are worms galore in them too . I might just have to try your idea too for more worms . LOL . Great pics by the way . Keep up the good work .
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#91932
March 12th, 2007 at 04:50 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
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My neighbor wanted to know if the night crawlers that were sold for bait could go into her veggie garden. I gave her a thousand or so of my red wigglers to try instead of paying $4 something for 10 worms. I think they can survive here.
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#91933
March 12th, 2007 at 07:01 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Hey, Tina, some of your worm's distant cousins are now living in Wisconsin. I fixed up a carton of worms, a 20-page information packet about worms and some worm chow to get her started. They were hand-delivered by a friend who took them to her mother and they arrived safe and sound at their new home.
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#91934
March 13th, 2007 at 03:12 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Cool, Patti. It is fun to share. And that way you are fairly certain they will arrive in good condition. I've had a couple go wrong in the PO. ("P.U.)
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#91935
March 13th, 2007 at 03:55 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Yes, it is Tina , and I'm glad you feel that way or I wouldn't have my worm bin ! I am so grateful for everything you did for me to get me started. Hey, Tina, check out Triva Triplets III. I posted some new words there.
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#91936
March 14th, 2007 at 02:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
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We just bought our first red wigglers (got them from the pet store!) and put them in a big ol' coffee can with some compost for now. They were a nice addition to my daughter's science fair project on recycling in the garden. (See the frugal thread to see photos of her project!) Thanks for suggesting it! 'Manda
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