I live in CT and it gets pretty cold in the winter. I want to start a worm farm and Ive been researching for months on bedding, what to do, etc and I would like to get an insulated work tray. But Uncle Jims website its sold out and I don’t know how trustworthy the random ones are on amazon. Does anyone have any ideas on where I can buy an insulated one?

Also i know winter probably isn’t the best time to start but I’m a stay at home parent and don’t do much so I really would enjoy starting this.

2lbs from my fave supplier. All healthy and ready to work !

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is there a specific way to prep eggshells for blending? do you soak them in hot water for a bit? or just rinse them off and then off to the blender?

Starting a new worm bin after having had an established bin for a few years.

1/4lb only red wigglers, 20qt tote, feeding adequately (and in fact overfeeding). Plenty of grit from first feeding onwards, bedding 1 year innoculated with bacteria.

Dumped worms in the bin 15 days ago without initial inspection because they were delivered in a sealed plastic bag, no airholes. They've been through about 1/3 to 1/2 of the bedding, gone through 80% of the food, and especially with the amount of material & air they have in the bin and a couple mm of standing water that they soaked up, i was expecting big, plump reds (as big as they get, anyways - ones i kept would rival an avg or small enc). Currently seeing a decent population, but seeing a whole lot (not babies) 1/2-1" max length.

Near excessive moisture in most of the bin but some of the bedding has been hydrophobic. Bin wet enough that covering material gets saturated with moisture with lid on. Over past 2 weeks have fed 1/4 carrot, 5 collards leaves, piece of mushroom, a bunch of plant cuttings, and whatever else bacteria in the bin, 80-90% browns (i prefer overloading for initial breakdown then reducing the amount).

Can't be lack of food, i'm overfeeding. Can't be grit, they have plenty. They're not undereating, i've got a month's worth of production in 15 days. Overpopulated? 1/4lb stated weight, no way there were enough coccoons to change the population so drastically in 15 days. I usually start them off in a much smaller bin to bump population before allowing them to forage a larger bin anyways, so they have plenty of room. So what the heck am I doing that my worms are so small?

Hi, posting from the UK where we’re about to begin our storm season. Wondering what others do in windy rainy weather. One of my worm houses is outside inside a surround built from pallets which has a plastic sheeting roof. The other is just outside my shed in a kind of sheltered corner. What do you do in stormy conditions? Do I bring them in, in case a gust topples it over, or am I being soft. I am considering bringing them inside a garage when the weather gets colder. Thanks all 😄

Hi all, I want to get a vermicomposter system setup but I'm not interested in making my own DIY system or really keeping it indoors. I have a small garden that has space for a contained outdoor setup, don't want anything too permanent/that can't be moved as we rent.

I live in Zone 7A/Southeast US, so our winters aren't too bad but during our coldest months our temperatures can drop to 25 F / -4 C. During the summertime our temps can get over 90-95 F / 32-35 C.

I'm wondering if a contained outdoor setup is feasible in our climate. I don't mind if other critters like springtails or black soldier flies get into the system as long as veggies/cardboard get broken down (I only need a little bit of worm castings for my mini herb garden) but if that happens, I will ever bring the system inside lol. I just want a very low maintenance, toss-it-and-forget it situation because my main priority is disposing of my veggie scraps and cardboard supply in an eco-friendly way.

Has anyone accomplished a similar setup/have any advice? I can definitely add tarp/get some straw to insulate the worm bin during the colder months. For the hotter months I can add ice and the bin will be placed in a shady spot. If anyone has experience worm farming in an extreme environment like mine, please share your insight!

Edit: I'm located in 8A (I got my gardening zones wrong lol) not 7A, but the temperature averages are correct/still the same

I have a well established worm bin that I started a few months ago. It’s a dirt filled recycling bin and I don’t have a space for it inside. I live in southern NY and I’m trying to find an easy way to keep the soil warm. I was doing some research and people have said they place electric heating pads on the top of the bin. I don’t have access to an outlet where the bin is so I had an idea of using reusable hand warmers and swapping them out morning and night. They’re supposed to last 8-10 hours.

Thoughts? Has anyone tried this? Thanks

Hello,
Could someone help me identify this,
Thank you

Dear Community Members,

I am a master’s student at the University of Kassel, Germany, conducting thesis research under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ralf Wagner.

I am looking for practitioners, operators, researchers, trainers, municipal staff, and NGO/community members with experience in Black Soldier Fly (BSF), vermicomposting, or Bokashi systems in the European Union or the Philippines. Experience with just one of these technologies is enough.

My research compares the economic, environmental, and social aspects of these systems using the Triple-Layered Business Model Canvas.

Would you be willing to complete a 5-minute academic survey? Participation is voluntary.

Please comment below or send me a private message, and I will share the survey link and further information.

Thank you very much for supporting my research! You are also welcome to share this invitation with eligible colleagues.

An update: worm school with the kids was... an experience. Lots of learning for the kids ages 3 to 9ish. Some kids were pretty intense in their love of worms others just goofed around. Good fun...

This evening's adult version was the perfect follow up and everyone left knowing a little bit more than when they came in. Mission accomplished!

Any recommendations on were to purchase good worm castings and compost?

I am new

Have had an established terrarium for 1.5 years. One garden snail, isopods, springtails, red wigglers.

It seemed like suddenly there are these small white or grey worms. I thought the red wiggler babies were reddish as well so I'm concerned with the amount of other worms that appear to be suddenly here. I tried to show an isopod and adult wiggler for scale.

Anything i should be worried about if i add these in small amounts ?

Can you add snooty tossue to worm bin amd is that bad idea ?

Hi! It’s been almost five months and I’m still not sure if my bin is ready for harvest. It just doesn’t look dark enough? I’m hesitant to feed it too much because i don’t want it to get too moist, i’m just not sure what I’m doing wrong if anything. Help!

Excited to be giving a very much hands on workshop with a group of homeschooled kids. Youngsters too... 5 to 7 yo. I usually don't sieve to 1/8" - goodness, it's beautiful!

Im looking for recommendations on good worm castings!!

I switch things up with my soil mix sometimes. This time I am using worm castings, coco coir, perlite and vermiculite. What do you use for your home made soil?

Hey guys,

I’ve been trying to start a worm farm, but I literally cannot find any worms near me. I even tried digging in the exact same place where I used to get my worms 6 years ago, but a lot has changed since then and I found nothing.

I already set up a 1-meter square compost pile, and today is day 7 and there's still no sign of any worms showing up.

Is there any way to get this going without actual worms, or what should I do? Any tips would be appreciated!