What to do When your worm castings dry out

The Garden And Worm Lady

24 Jun 202410:11

Summary

TLDRIn this video, the host checks on their Louisiana swamp worm tower, observing the worms' health and discussing their composting process. Despite challenges with sprouting avocados and overly wet bedding, the worms are reproducing well. The host adds new bedding and food, including shredded paper, kitchen scraps, and eggshells, to maintain the worms' habitat. The video emphasizes the importance of monitoring and adjusting the worm bin environment to ensure successful composting. The host shares tips on worm care and invites viewers to subscribe for more content.

Takeaways

🌱 The video is about checking on a Louisiana swamp worm tower and the progress of the worms within.
🐱 The presence of the speaker's daughter's cat is mentioned, indicating a homely and personal setting for the video.
🥑 The speaker discusses the sprouting of an avocado and the challenges of planting them successfully.
🌿 The worm bedding is described as very thick, with many small worm babies, indicating a healthy population.
🌑 Dark castings are observed, which is a sign of healthy worm activity.
💧 The speaker notes that the bin is running very wet, with water coming out of the spigot, suggesting a need for adjustment.
📦 Shredded paper is introduced as a new bedding material for the worms, which they seem to enjoy.
🔍 The speaker mentions the worms' similarity to red wigglers in behavior but notes their darker, maroon color.
🍌 The video includes a variety of food items for the worms, including a used tissue, kitchen paper towel, eggshells, and fruit peels, despite some being considered 'forbidden foods'.
🌱 The importance of the worms' composting ability is highlighted, as they are used for composting food scraps.
🕳️ The speaker digs a hole to add new food and bedding, showing the process of maintaining the worm tower.
🔄 The need to dry out the bin is emphasized, as it is too wet for the worms' comfort and for successful harvesting of castings.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is the care and maintenance of Louisiana swamp worms, also known as Swampers, in a worm tower for composting purposes.
What does the speaker observe about the avocado sprouting in the worm tower?
-The speaker observes that the avocado is sprouting, indicating that the worms are doing well, but also notes that the bedding is very thick and wet, which might be affecting the worms' health.
What is the significance of the dark color of the castings mentioned in the script?
-The dark color of the castings indicates that the worms are healthy and the composting process is going well.
What issue does the speaker identify with the worm tower's bedding?
-The speaker identifies that the bedding is too wet and cakey, which could make it difficult to harvest the worms and might be too wet for their optimal health.
What action does the speaker take to address the lack of food for the worms?
-The speaker adds shredded paper to the worm tower to provide the worms with more food.
How does the speaker describe the behavior of the Louisiana swamp worms compared to red wigglers?
-The speaker describes the Louisiana swamp worms as being very similar to red wigglers in behavior, but with a slightly darker, almost maroon color.
What type of food does the speaker mention feeding the worms, and why is it considered a forbidden food?
-The speaker mentions feeding the worms orange peels, which are considered a forbidden food because they can be too acidic and slow down the composting process.
Why does the speaker microwave the eggshells before adding them to the worm tower?
-The speaker microwaves the eggshells to kill any bacteria that might be present, making them safer to add to the worm tower for grit.
What is the speaker's approach to managing the moisture level in the worm tower?
-The speaker plans to dry out the worm tower by fluffing the bedding daily and leaving the lid off to allow for better air circulation.
How does the speaker describe the worms' behavior when it comes to moving between trays in the worm tower?
-The speaker describes the worms' behavior as unpredictable, with worms choosing to stay in areas with more microbes even when food is available in other trays.
What advice does the speaker give about interacting with worms in the worm tower?
-The speaker advises that worms should be interacted with daily, emphasizing that they are like pets and that it's important to check on them regularly to ensure they are healthy and happy.

Outlines

00:00

🐛 Checking on the Louisiana Swamp Worm Tower

The video begins with the host welcoming viewers back to their channel and introducing their Louisiana swamp worm tower. The host discusses the excitement caused by a sprouting avocado and the challenges faced with planting avocados. They examine the worm bedding, noticing it is very thick and wet, with numerous tiny baby worms present. The host explains the necessity of adding more bedding, particularly shredded paper, to manage the wet conditions. They introduce various types of food for the worms, including eggshells, orange peels, and avocado skins, and describe the benefits of Louisiana swamp worms for composting.

05:03

📰 Maintaining the Worm Bin

The host discusses the importance of using shredded newspaper as bedding for the worms and reminisces about their early days of worm raising without a shredder. They describe their routine of checking on the worms daily, ensuring everything is in order. The host mentions the necessity of drying out the overly wet bin by fluffing the bedding daily, a process that can take over a week. They also explain the behavior of the worms, which sometimes prefer the lower part of the bin due to the presence of microbes. The host highlights the unpredictability of worm behavior and the need to adapt to it.

10:04

👋 Conclusion and Next Steps

In the final part, the host continues to fluff and dry out the worm bin, emphasizing the importance of airflow by leaving the lid off. They share their experience of raising worms for 21 years and reassure viewers that daily interaction with worms is beneficial. The host encourages viewers to subscribe to their channel and turn on notifications to not miss future videos. They conclude with a promise to bring viewers along for future updates on the worm bin's progress.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Louisiana swamp worm

The term 'Louisiana swamp worm' refers to a specific type of composting worm, which is the focus of the video. These worms are known for thriving in moist environments and are excellent for composting due to their ability to break down organic matter efficiently. In the script, the worms are described as reproducing well and being similar to red wigglers but with a darker color, almost maroon.

💡Composting

Composting is the process of decomposing organic materials into a nutrient-rich substance called humus, which can be used as a fertilizer for plants. In the video, the worms play a crucial role in this process by consuming and breaking down various food scraps and materials. The script mentions the worms' effectiveness in composting and the importance of maintaining the right conditions for them to thrive.

💡Bedding

In the context of worm composting, 'bedding' refers to the material that provides a habitat for the worms, similar to soil in a garden. It is usually made from materials like shredded paper, coconut coir, or peat moss. The script discusses the thickness and moisture level of the bedding, which is crucial for the worms' comfort and health.

💡Casting

Casting, also known as worm castings or worm poop, is the nutrient-rich waste material produced by composting worms. It is highly beneficial for plants as a soil amendment. The script mentions the dark color of the castings, indicating a healthy and active composting process.

💡Sprouting avocado

The 'sprouting avocado' in the script refers to an avocado pit that has begun to grow roots and possibly sprouts, showing the beginning of a new plant. This is an example of the organic matter that can be used in composting and demonstrates the theme of growth and regeneration in the video.

💡Shredded paper

Shredded paper is used in the script as a component of the worm bedding and as a source of carbon in the composting process. It provides a fibrous material that the worms can consume and helps to maintain the structure of the compost. The video shows the addition of shredded paper to the worm bin to improve conditions for the worms.

💡Grit

Grit, such as crushed eggshells, is added to the worm bin to provide a source of calcium and other minerals for the worms. It helps with their digestion and overall health. In the script, eggshells are mentioned as a source of grit, which are microwaved and added to the bin.

💡Forbidden foods

In the context of worm composting, 'forbidden foods' are materials that should not be added to the worm bin because they can disrupt the composting process or harm the worms. The script mentions that while there are forbidden foods, the worms in the video are fed a wide variety of materials, including some that are typically considered forbidden, without issue.

💡Spet

The 'spet' mentioned in the script likely refers to a 'spigot,' which is a faucet or tap used to drain liquid from a container. In the context of the video, the spigot is used to release excess moisture from the worm bin, indicating that the bin is too wet.

💡Fluffing

Fluffing is the process of aerating and turning the material in a worm bin to maintain the right balance of moisture and air. It is essential for the health of the worms and the composting process. The script describes fluffing the bin to help dry it out and make it more workable for the worms.

💡Breeding bins

Breeding bins are specifically designed to optimize the conditions for worm reproduction. The script mentions that the creator does not fluff the breeding bins too much because it can affect the worms' breeding success, indicating a nuanced understanding of worm care and management.

Highlights

Introduction to the Louisiana swamp worm tower and checking on the worms' progress.

Observation of an avocado sprouting, indicating the worms' activity.

Discussion on the bedding thickness and its effect on worm health and harvesting.

Assessment of the worm bin's moisture level and the presence of water.

Mention of the worms' reproduction and the need for more bedding.

Introduction of shredded paper as a new food source for the worms.

Description of the worms' behavior and comparison to red wigglers.

Explanation of the worms' preference for certain conditions and the difficulty in harvesting.

Demonstration of adding a used tissue and kitchen paper towel to the bin.

Use of eggshell for grit and its preparation method.

Inclusion of forbidden foods like orange peels and banana skin in the worm bin.

The importance of the worms' role in composting food scraps.

Technique of transferring worms and bedding to a new tray with damp newspaper.

Observation of the worms' preference for the castings-rich bottom tray.

Strategy for drying out the bin to facilitate worm movement and harvesting.

Emphasis on the unpredictability of worm behavior and the need for adaptation.

Daily routine of fluffing and drying the worm bin for optimal conditions.

Advice on leaving the lid off for better air circulation and drying.

Invitation to subscribe and enable notifications for future updates.