Hi,
Glad to see the topic of raising worms come up. I purchased a
Vermicomposter and it basically is a set of stackable tubs with a grid in
the bottom. You put the worms in a bedding to get them established on the
second tray. The bottom tray is to collect any liquids. After the worms
are established, a food source can be placed above the worms in the tub
above and they move upwards. The castings can be removed and used for
fertilizer.
I have the bins, but I have not purchased the worms or the bedding. If
anyone has a good source, I'd be interested in it.
Below is the text of the instruction manual that accompanied the composter.
Table of Contents
Assembly 2
Parts List 2
Assembling your Vermicomposter.... 3
Getting Started 4
Adding Bedding 4
Adding Food 4
Adding Worms 5
Managing Your Vermicomposter 5
Managing the Working Tray 6
Managing Vermicompost 6
Vermicomposting Goals 8
Worms 8
Weekly Worm Review 10
Raising Worms for Fishing 10
Bedding 11
Food 11
Oxygen 12
Temperature 13
Cooling Bedding in Hot Weather 13
Moisture 13
Troubleshooting 14
Dealing with Pests 14
Finding Things Growing in Trays 15
Going on Vacation 15
Unpleasant Odors 15
Just for Avid Gardeners 15
Basic Bin Management 16
Moisture Control 16
Optimum Temperature 16
Feeding Guidelines 16
Fiber Sources 18
Your vermicomposter kit contains the following parts:
1 Collection Tray 1 Holding Tray and White Spigot Nut
1 Base
3 to 5 Stacking Trays (Depending on your order)
1 Quick Tips Lid
1 Knob and 1 Nut 2 Steel Nuts Shredded Paper
1
Assembling Your Vermicomposter
1. Separate the stacking trays from the other parts. You may have
3to5 trays depending on which system you purchased.
2. Place the holding tray over 3. Place the collection tray into the
base tray and align the the holding tray and align the grids. Locate the
stainless spigot holes. steel bolts. Place the bolts in opposite corners a
few squares from the edge. Twist bolts by hand through aligned grids until
secure.
NOTE: After assembly, place some water in the bottom of the collection tray.
If water leaks around the tap, check the proper placement of the plastic nut
and make sure it is firmly tightened. Remove any water from the collection
tray before you set up the bedding.
4. Locate the spigot and the large white plastic nut. Insert the
spigot through the holding tray and collection tray. Thread the plastic nut
on the spigot inside the collection tray. Firmly tighten by hand to secure
the collection tray. Make sure threads align properly before tightening.
5. To assemble the lid, place the knob through the hole in the
center of the lid. Screw the nut on the bottom of the lid to secure.
6. As you begin to use your vermicomposter,the remaining trays will
be added one by one.
2
Getting Started
Once you have completed the assembly of your vermicomposter you are
ready to prepare the worm bedding. The following instructions (1-5) are for
the first working tray only.
Adding Bedding
1. Place an empty working tray on top of the collection tray. Line
the bottom of the working tray with 3 or 4 sheets of dry newspaper. Only add
dry newspaper to the bottom of your first working tray.
2. To make your tray bedding, soak the block of coir in a container
with 3 quarts until it breaks apart and is moist. Wring out excess water and
mix the loose coir with a cup of active compost (rich dark dirt, crushed egg
shells and/ or sand). You can use compost from your garden bin; however, if
that is not available, use decayed leaf litter from beneath your shrubs. If
you live in an apartment, be creative and find decayed leaf litter under
shrubs in your neighborhood. Then, mix the coir with the shredded paper
included with your vermicomposter.
3. Spread freshly mixed bedding on top of the newspaper in the
working tray.
It is important to have your vermicomposter and the bedding ready to
receive worms as soon as they arrive.
Adding Food
4. Place 2 handfuls of food scraps in one corner of the working tray
on top of the bedding. (See page 11 for food types.) Cover food and fill the
tray with 2-3 inches of dry shredded newspaper. Then, cover the shredded
paper with 3 or 4 full sheets of moist newspaper. Place the lid over the
material in the working tray. Set aside the
Place food in the corner. remaining trays for future use. Your
vermicomposter is
now ready for your worms to arrive.
3
Adding Worms
5. In most cases, worms are not included when you purchase your
vermicomposter. When purchasing worms separately, make sure you buy the
proper variety and enough quantity for a healthy population in your
vermicomposter. Make sure you purchase the red wiggler, also known as
Eisenia fetida. You can start with as few as a half pound of worms
(approximately 500), however, a full pound of *Purchasing worms locally is
best. worms will work even better if you really want to
Check out FindWorms.com to find the jump start your vermicomposter.
nearest grower.
To add the worms, remove the worms and special bedding material from the
package they arrived in. Next, remove the lid and lift the top layer of
moist newspaper in the working tray. Gently place the worms on the prepared
bedding in the working tray.
Worms can become stressed during shipment. They may take a week or so to
adapt to their new environment. Leave a light on at night to encourage them
to burrow into their new home. A common mistake is to overfeed your worms
when you start using your vermicomposter. Be patient. Once the worms are in
place, re-lay the newspaper and replace the lid.
NOTE: Purchasing worms locally is the best option. To locate your
nearest worm farm or grower be sure to check out FindWorms.com.
Managing your Vermicomposter
After three days remove the lid from the working tray. Lift the
layer of moist newspaper and look to see that the worms are actively
involved in the food waste. If they are crawling in and around the food in
the working tray, add more handfuls of food waste to the original food in
the working tray. Cover the new food with the layer of moist newspaper. It
may take up to 1-2 months to eventually fill the working tray to a depth of
3 % - 4 inches. Once the first working tray is full, you will be ready to
add a new working tray to your vermicomposter.
It's important to note that as you begin to add trays to your
vermicomposter the tray names will change. Always add trays to the top of
your vermicomposter.
4
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
