Comments on: About Our Business http://www.friendlywormguy.com European Nightcrawlers & Worm Castings Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:17:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jeff http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-414 Jeff Sun, 17 Aug 2008 03:42:19 +0000 http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-414 Hi Gwen welcome to worm farming! Your 5 level plastic worm bins? Are your worms in all 5 levels? The way the upward flow systems work is the worms travel up to the next level as the level below is finished or all composted, then the worm travels up to the food waste that you have added to the bin above, then you can harvest your worm castings and the worms that haven't yet traveled up to the next level and the worm cocoons. I have another reader that has asked what the finished compost should look like, give me a day or two to get some pics of some finished bedding and we can continue to answer your questions. I will post the pics and what worm bedding and finished bedding ready to be harvested looks like. on my WORM BLOG. these are great questions and now I know what to write about on the blog! I will try to answer these questions as best I can. Jeff Hi Gwen
welcome to worm farming! Your 5 level plastic worm bins? Are your worms in all 5 levels? The way the upward flow systems work is the worms travel up to the next level as the level below is finished or all composted, then the worm travels up to the food waste that you have added to the bin above, then you can harvest your worm castings and the worms that haven’t yet traveled up to the next level and the worm cocoons. I have another reader that has asked what the finished compost should look like, give me a day or two to get some pics of some finished bedding and we can continue to answer your questions.
I will post the pics and what worm bedding and finished bedding ready to be harvested looks like. on my WORM BLOG.
these are great questions and now I know what to write about on the blog! I will try to answer these questions as best I can.
Jeff

]]> By: Gwen http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-404 Gwen Sat, 16 Aug 2008 04:05:03 +0000 http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-404 Hi Jeff, I too am interested in worm farming. I live in Central Oregon which is a great place to raise worms. I have started 3 bins, 2 plastice bins that are each 5 levels and one 30 gallon tub with lid. I am wondering how do you know when it is time to harvest worms and start a new bin? Seems simple, I get how to separate them , feed them and all but how do you know when to harvest? Should the bins be overflowing with worms??? Should it be when the composting is complete?? I feel silly not knowing but in all the books and websites I have visited this is not clearly addressed..... HELP!!! Gwen Hi Jeff,

I too am interested in worm farming. I live in Central Oregon which is a great place to raise worms. I have started 3 bins, 2 plastice bins that are each 5 levels and one 30 gallon tub with lid. I am wondering how do you know when it is time to harvest worms and start a new bin? Seems simple, I get how to separate them , feed them and all but how do you know when to harvest? Should the bins be overflowing with worms??? Should it be when the composting is complete?? I feel silly not knowing but in all the books and websites I have visited this is not clearly addressed….. HELP!!!

Gwen

]]> By: Jeff http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-105 Jeff Fri, 16 May 2008 03:31:05 +0000 http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-105 Hi Julie Worm Composting is something to get excited about, It is a great way to reduce all the organic waste going to the Landfill, and vermicomposting is alot of Fun!. Seeing your landlord is also your friend I think we can change his mind on the yukky stuff about worm composting, First a worm bin will not cause any extra moisture in the basement, all the moisture stays inside the bin, I would prefer you use a plastic bin.There is NO smell with worm composting,If a worm does manage to get out of the bin, you will find it about a foot away from the bin dried up. I do suggest you refer your landlord to my website and read about composting with worms, we will get a worm bin in your basement! If he has any other questions about this stuff, get him to send me an email, or even give me a call. I would be happy to answer all of his concerns about the worm bin. Thanks Jeff Hi Julie

Worm Composting is something to get excited about, It is a great way to reduce all the organic waste going to the Landfill, and vermicomposting is alot of Fun!. Seeing your landlord is also your friend I think we can change his mind on the yukky stuff about worm composting, First a worm bin will not cause any extra moisture in the basement, all the moisture stays inside the bin, I would prefer you use a plastic bin.There is NO smell with worm composting,If a worm does manage to get out of the bin, you will find it about a foot away from the bin dried up.
I do suggest you refer your landlord to my website and read about composting with worms, we will get a worm bin in your basement!
If he has any other questions about this stuff, get him to send me an email, or even give me a call. I would be happy to answer all of his concerns about the worm bin.

Thanks Jeff

]]> By: Julie http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-76 Julie Tue, 13 May 2008 01:09:35 +0000 http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-76 Hi Jeff, I'm really excited about starting a worm composting box in my basement. However, when I mentioned this to my landlord (who is also a friend of mine) he was concerned that the basement is too damp and having worms down there would cause the drywall to mold. I'm just getting started with the worm composting and I'm not really sure how to respond to his concern? The basement does not seem any damper than any other basement I've been in. I think the idea of worms in his house is a foreign idea to him. Do you have any suggestions on how to respond and if his concern is a valid one? Hi Jeff, I’m really excited about starting a worm composting box in my basement. However, when I mentioned this to my landlord (who is also a friend of mine) he was concerned that the basement is too damp and having worms down there would cause the drywall to mold.

I’m just getting started with the worm composting and I’m not really sure how to respond to his concern? The basement does not seem any damper than any other basement I’ve been in. I think the idea of worms in his house is a foreign idea to him. Do you have any suggestions on how to respond and if his concern is a valid one?

]]> By: Jeff http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-16 Jeff Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:55:12 +0000 http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-16 Hi Rob Yes Red Wigglers are very good composting worms, As you see on my website I raise the European Nightcrawler as well as the Red Wigglers,which is also a very good composting worm. My view on these worms is I don't think either breed can eat their weight in a day. if you go on the rule of 1/2 their weight everyday you will not be disappointed with the worms not consuming as much food waste. If this is possible that the worms can eat their weight everyday the food waste would need to be well composted a head of time. As for handling change in the worm bins, My euros can take moisture in the bin more then the Red Worms, and the Euros are a far bit bigger then the Reds so if you are a fisherman the euros are a better fishing worm. In some of my bigger beds I have a mixture of Reds and Euros to produce worm castings, the reds are closer to the surface of the bedding and the Euros are 2"- 6" depth of the bedding, this mixture of worms works very well for me to produce great Castings, in a very short time!! hope my view helps. Jeff Hi Rob

Yes Red Wigglers are very good composting worms, As you see on my website I raise the European Nightcrawler as well as the Red Wigglers,which is also a very good composting worm. My view on these worms is I don’t think either breed can eat their weight in a day.
if you go on the rule of 1/2 their weight everyday you will not be disappointed with the worms not consuming as much food waste.
If this is possible that the worms can eat their weight everyday the
food waste would need to be well composted a head of time.
As for handling change in the worm bins, My euros can take moisture in the bin more then the Red Worms, and the Euros are a far bit bigger then the Reds so if you are a fisherman the euros are a better fishing worm.
In some of my bigger beds I have a mixture of Reds and Euros
to produce worm castings, the reds are closer to the surface of the bedding and the Euros are 2″- 6″ depth of the bedding, this mixture of worms works very well for me to produce great Castings, in a very short time!!

hope my view helps.

Jeff

]]> By: Rob http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-15 Rob Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:57:39 +0000 http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-15 Hi Jeff, I have been told Red Wigglers is best for composting, because they also can eat up to 100% of their body weight.Also they can handle change in the worm bins.what's your veiw on this? Thks Rob Hi Jeff, I have been told Red Wigglers is best for composting, because they also can eat up to 100% of their body weight.Also they can handle change in the worm bins.what’s your veiw on this?
Thks Rob

]]> By: Jeff http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-11 Jeff Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:58:48 +0000 http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-11 Hi David and Graham I know you guys are wanting to see the grain cleaner in action, I have some beds that need harvesting, but the grain cleaner is in a building that is not heated, and tonight the temp here is going down to -25 C , ontil it warms up a little, it is best to keep the worms in the heated area for now, that is the best for the worms i am thinking.. Jeff Hi David and Graham

I know you guys are wanting to see the grain cleaner in action,
I have some beds that need harvesting, but the grain cleaner is in a building that is not heated, and tonight the temp here is going down to
-25 C , ontil it warms up a little, it is best to keep the worms in the heated area for now, that is the best for the worms i am thinking..

Jeff

]]> By: Jeff http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-10 Jeff Wed, 09 Jan 2008 04:36:30 +0000 http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-10 Hi David, Answering your question about how we thought about the grain cleaner. I was thinking about several different low cost ideas. I went up to a neighbors farm and asked if he had any ideas. Well, a grain cleaner seperates weeds,seeds,chaf etc. and he didn't think it would work for seperating worm castings(worm poop). I was tired of seperating castings(worm poop) all by hand and was sure that getting a grain cleaner and trying it out was worth the try. After all it was filled with screens that shook as you cranked the machine. I was using one screen at a time by hand,very time consuming. Not to mention tireing and hard on the hands and back. I thought why shouldn't work? Thanks for your interest, Jeff Hi David,
Answering your question about how we thought about the grain cleaner.
I was thinking about several different low cost ideas. I went up to a neighbors farm and asked if he had any ideas. Well, a grain cleaner seperates weeds,seeds,chaf etc. and he didn’t think it would work for seperating worm castings(worm poop). I was tired of seperating castings(worm poop) all by hand and was sure that getting a grain cleaner and trying it out was worth the try. After all it was filled with screens that shook as you cranked the machine. I was using one screen at a time by hand,very time consuming. Not to mention tireing and hard on the hands and back. I thought why shouldn’t work?
Thanks for your interest, Jeff

]]> By: Jeff http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-9 Jeff Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:32:48 +0000 http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-9 Hi Roberta Thank you for the interest in the site, and worm farming. sorry to hear about your job. worm farming is alot of work and fun too,but i think you should start slow and see if you like it,is there shade in your back yard,and in the winter does it go below freezing?? The europeans are very well liked for fishing in my area ,i'm sure they will be well liked in your area, you sure need a warm weather worm for your area.. Thanks Jeff Hi Roberta
Thank you for the interest in the site, and worm farming.
sorry to hear about your job. worm farming is alot of work and fun too,but i
think you should start slow and see if you like it,is there shade in your
back yard,and in the winter does it go below freezing??
The europeans are very well liked for fishing in my area ,i’m sure they
will be well liked in your area, you sure need a warm weather worm for your
area..
Thanks Jeff

]]> By: roberta http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-8 roberta Sat, 05 Jan 2008 06:16:56 +0000 http://www.friendlywormguy.com/about-our-business/#comment-8 you page is great. mostly i was interested in your worms but i loved reading about your family. i have had an interest in worm farming for years -- mostly because i love composting. but i live on the east coast of north carolina and boy do we do a lot of fishing around here. i am getting ready to lose my job of 13 years and i want a new adventure! i guess my question is can i do this in my fairly large shady back yard? you seem to be succeeding in canada, i wonder if i would do well here in the hot humid south. thanks. roberta you page is great. mostly i was interested in your worms but i loved reading about your family. i have had an interest in worm farming for years — mostly because i love composting. but i live on the east coast of north carolina and boy do we do a lot of fishing around here. i am getting ready to lose my job of 13 years and i want a new adventure!
i guess my question is can i do this in my fairly large shady back yard? you seem to be succeeding in canada, i wonder if i would do well here in the hot humid south.
thanks. roberta

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