3 Ways Using Newspaper on Top of A Worm Bin Helps You Manage Your Bins - Plus Bonus BREEDER BIN TIP

Summary

In this informative video, Jayne from RockinWorms demonstrates three distinct situations where using newspaper in worm bins can effectively indicate the health and needs of the worms. She covers the use of newspaper in nursery cocoon bins to monitor food consumption, in drying down bins to facilitate horizontal migration, and in regular grow bins to assess the necessity for action. Jayne also shares her method of using leftover food scraps and breeder feed to maintain a healthy worm ecosystem, encouraging viewers to consider incorporating newspaper in their worm management practices.

Takeaways

• 📰 The video discusses three ways to use newspaper coverings in worm bins to monitor and manage worm health and conditions.
• 🔍 Newspaper coverings help in making quick assessments of the worm bin's status without disturbing the worms.
• 🌱 In a nursery cocoon bin, the disappearance of newspaper indicates the need for feeding as it suggests the presence of hungry worms.
• 🍽️ The breeder feed consists of worm chow, veggie powder, and eggshell or oyster shell powder for grit and calcium.
• 👶 For very young worms, it's important to feed lightly and often to avoid overfeeding and to maintain a healthy environment.
• 📦 In a drying-down bin, the reduction of newspaper signifies that the food supply is dwindling and worms need to be encouraged to move to a new section.
• 🌾 Horizontal migration is a technique used to move worms to a new area of the bin with fresh food and conditions.
• 🌽 The use of corn on the cob and breeder feed as an experiment to attract and retain worms in a specific section of the bin.
• 🗂️ Regular grow bins can be managed by assessing the newspaper status to determine if immediate action is required or not.
• 📝 Keeping labels updated is crucial for tracking the feeding and condition of different worm bins.
• 📈 The status of the newspaper at the end of a breeder cycle can inform the amount of food needed for future cycles to maintain healthy worms.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of using newspaper in worm bins as described by Jayne?

The main purpose of using newspaper in worm bins, as described by Jayne, is to provide a quick way to assess the condition of the bin and determine whether immediate action is needed or if it can be left for later.

What does Jayne suggest using newspaper for in a nursery cocoon bin?

In a nursery cocoon bin, Jayne suggests using newspaper to monitor the disappearance of the newspaper, which indicates that the cocoons are hatching and the worms are feeding, signaling the need for additional feeding.

What does the disappearance of newspaper in a worm bin indicate according to Jayne?

According to Jayne, the disappearance of newspaper in a worm bin indicates that the worms are actively eating, which suggests that they are hungry and need to be fed.

What is Jayne's breeder feed recipe, and why is it used?

Jayne's breeder feed recipe consists of worm chow, veggie powder, and eggshells or oyster shell powder for grit and calcium. It is used to provide a balanced diet for the worms, promoting their health and growth.

How does Jayne decide when to feed her young worms in the nursery bin?

Jayne decides to feed her young worms when she notices that the newspaper has been consumed, indicating that the worms are ready for more food.

What is the purpose of adding pre-compost mixed with sifted cow manure to the worm bin?

The purpose of adding pre-compost mixed with sifted cow manure is to introduce biota, which includes microorganisms that make up the ecosystem in a worm bin and serve as food sources for the worms.

How does Jayne use corn on the cob in her worm bin?

Jayne uses corn on the cob as a food source to lure the worms to the working end of the bin and to encourage them to stay there, aiding in the process of horizontal migration.

What is the significance of the status of the newspaper in a drying-down bin?

In a drying-down bin, the status of the newspaper indicates the level of food remaining. If the newspaper is almost gone, it suggests that the food is nearly depleted, and it's time to move the worms and replenish the food supply.

How does Jayne manage the horizontal migration of worms in her bins?

Jayne manages horizontal migration by moving the worms to the working end of the bin and setting up a new feeding zone with fresh food sources, such as corn on the cob and breeder feed, to encourage the worms to stay in the desired area.

What is the bonus tip Jayne provides regarding the use of newspaper in breeder bins?

The bonus tip Jayne provides is that at the end of the breeder cycle, the status of the newspaper can indicate whether enough food was provided. If the newspaper is gone, more food may be needed for the next cycle; if it's still mostly intact, the food amount may have been sufficient or even excessive.

What alternative sources of newspaper can Jayne suggest for those who want to try this method?

Jayne suggests that people can obtain newspaper from public libraries, which often have paper forms of newspapers, or from local stores that may have sale circulars that can be used in worm bins.