How to Start Vermicomposting (Worm Composting for Beginners!)

Summary

In this informative video, the host shares their experience with vermicomposting, introducing a 'living starter colony' concept by Bentley Christie. They discuss the challenges of shipping worm bedding, opting for coconut coir due to cost, and emphasize the importance of moisture for worm health. The host demonstrates setting up new bins, dividing worms, and shares tips on maintaining a balanced worm farm, including feeding and adding beneficial grit to the bedding.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video is about dividing red wigglers into other bins to develop a living starter colony for worm farming.
• 💡 The concept of a starter colony was learned from Bentley Christie, who pioneered the idea of shipping bedding with worms already living in it.
• 📦 The worms are shipped in their original home, which is moist and doesn't require sifting peat moss into it, making the process easier for the recipient.
• 🌴 The use of coconut coir is highlighted as an alternative to sifted peat moss due to its abundance and the rising cost of peat moss.
• 🔄 The importance of balance in worm farming is emphasized, including not having an extreme of one condition or the other to maintain a healthy worm bin.
• 🚫 A cautionary tale is shared about not adding worms to bedding that is too hot, as it can cause the worms to flee.
• 🔍 Worms will push foreign objects they can't eat, like plastic, to the surface of the bedding.
• 📦 Shipping live worm colonies is beneficial as it includes thousands of worms of various sizes, including cocoons, which are impossible to count.
• 🌱 The video mentions the use of oyster shell with added beetroot powder, hibiscus powder, and azomite minerals to provide grit and nutrients for the worms.
• 🍃 Pine shavings and straw are added to the worm bins, especially for European nightcrawlers, which seem to prefer these materials.
• 📅 The video creator plans to do a giveaway once they reach 10,000 subscribers and is currently focusing on creating quality content for the community.

Q & A

What is the speaker planning to sell on their website?

The speaker is planning to sell 'worm chow' on their website, which they also plan to use in their own worm bins.

What is the purpose of dividing the red wigglers into other bins?

The purpose of dividing the red wigglers into other bins is to start developing a 'living starter colony' for worm farming.

Who is Bentley Christie and what is their contribution to the speaker's knowledge?

Bentley Christie is the original creator of the 'starter colony' concept. The speaker learned about it from Bentley about 15 years ago.

What is the main challenge the speaker faced with the starter colony method?

The main challenge the speaker faced was keeping the bedding moist for shipping without using sifted peat moss, which they found difficult but managed to overcome with tips from Mimi's worm farm.

Why is the speaker using coconut coir instead of sifted peat moss?

The speaker is using coconut coir because they have an abundance of it and also due to the increased cost of peat moss, which has doubled in price.

What is the significance of balance in worm farming according to the speaker?

Balance is significant in worm farming because having an extreme of one condition or the other can lead to problems, emphasizing the importance of a balanced environment for the health of the worms.

What is the 'tip of the day' shared by the speaker regarding the use of warm water?

The 'tip of the day' is to use warm to hot water when preparing the coconut coir bedding because it breaks up faster and allows for quicker absorption.

Why does the speaker caution against adding worms to the bedding while it's still warm?

The speaker cautions against adding worms to warm bedding because the worms will try to escape, as they can be harmed or stressed by temperatures that are too hot.

What is the process of preparing the coconut coir for the worms?

The process involves letting the coconut coir sit in water, occasionally stirring it, and waiting for it to absorb the water before massaging it in and checking the temperature to ensure it's safe for the worms.

What is the advantage of shipping living worm colonies as described by the speaker?

The advantage of shipping living worm colonies is that the worms arrive in their original home environment, already accustomed to their surroundings, which can lead to better survival rates and faster establishment in the new bin.

What is the speaker's feeding schedule for the worms in the smaller mortar bins?

The speaker feeds the worms in the smaller mortar bins 1/4 cup of worm chow twice a week, checking on them in between to ensure the food is consumed before adding more.

What is the speaker's plan for when they reach 10,000 subscribers on their channel?

The speaker plans to do a giveaway when they reach 10,000 subscribers on their channel.

What does the speaker use to cover the worm bins after feeding?

The speaker uses wet newspaper or a wet box, which can be made from any cardboard soaked in water, to cover the worm bins after feeding.

Why does the speaker add beetroot powder, hibiscus powder, and azomite minerals to the oyster shell grit?

The speaker adds these substances to the oyster shell grit to provide the worms with additional vitamins and minerals, which are important for their health and thriving.

What type of leaves does the speaker plan to use for worm feeding and why are they considered beneficial?

The speaker plans to use leaves from Oak, Maple, Lyon, Beach, and Black Gum trees because they believe these leaves produce the best castings, especially when fed to the worms.

How does the speaker ensure that the leaves are safe for worm feeding?

The speaker heat treats the leaves first to ensure that there are no living creatures in them before using them for worm feeding.