Disciplined worm bins - 2023 11 28

 

Yesterday I re-binned my three worm bins into new containers. The bins are aerated on the bottom, sides and lids. The aerated bins set into a second bin to catch the worm tea.

The bottom of the bins are lined with a bed mulched leaves, coffee chaff, and potting soil.

When I set up my last set of bins I did not aerate the bottom of the bins. Instead, I lined them with layers of cardboard. When it came time to move the worms, I just rolled up the cardboard and shifted the entire collection of worms, castings and unprocessed compost into one end of the new bin. 

I have a heated room under our front porch that is always kept just above freezing because that is where the waterlines run into the house. So the worms will be kept at a constant temperature. That said, the room is also sealed to be moisture proof and there is no air movement. I think I am going to need to go down every few days and leave the door open just to let the air circulate.

Today - 2023 12 06 - I checked on the bins. I noticed one of the bins had moisture dripping from the aerated lid. The soil is plenty moist in all the bins. There is mold growing on the bed not covered by the jelly roll of cardboard, worms and compost. I peaked into the jelly roll and I could see worm movement. 

I would like to fit a tap to the bottom of the worm tea collector bin. It is a bit heavy lifting the bins off the tea bin to pour off the liquid. I'm not going to be watering them for the time being. There seems to be plenty of moisture in the bins at present.

My goal is to be able to harvest my first worm castings and worm tea in the spring in time for gardening and laying out seedlings. I've never done this before, so it will be an adventure.