Red Wiggler Breeder Bedding Recipe - the BEST!

Summary

In this video, Jayne walks viewers through her process of preparing worm breeder bin bedding, sharing detailed steps on selecting ingredients, mixing them, and ensuring the right moisture levels. She discusses the use of cow manure, crushed leaves, pre-composted bedding, and other key amendments like worm chow, azomite, and powdered eggshells. The video highlights the importance of moisture control, using molasses water to activate biota, and preparing the bin in advance for optimal breeding conditions. Jayne offers tips and advice for both beginners and experienced worm growers to create the perfect environment for their worms.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prepping breeder bin bedding is essential for optimal worm breeding and health.
• 😀 A 21-day cycle is followed for worm breeding, and bedding is prepared a few days in advance for the best results.
• 😀 Worms are seen diving down away from light, which indicates they are active and comfortable in the bin.
• 😀 The presence of cocoons and microbial orange bacteria in the bedding signals a healthy environment for worms.
• 😀 Adding worm chow to the bedding is important for worm nourishment and helps in determining whether more should be added.
• 😀 Leaves in the breeder bin should break down slowly, indicating the biota (microorganisms) and worms are working together.
• 😀 The bedding mix consists of sifted cow manure, crushed leaves, and pre-composted bedding from outdoor bins.
• 😀 If cow manure is not available, coconut coir or peat moss can be used as alternatives for bedding.
• 😀 The bedding should be moist but not sopping wet to ensure proper worm health, with water adjustments made as needed.
• 😀 Azomite, agricultural lime, and powdered eggshells are added to improve the bedding’s nutrition and pH balance for the worms.
• 😀 Molasses water is used to activate the biota in the bedding, giving the microorganisms a boost without causing excessive heat.
• 😀 If dry pockets form in the bedding, additional water should be added over time to ensure even moisture distribution before adding worms.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of preparing the breeder bin bedding ahead of time?

The main purpose is to ensure the bedding is ready and optimally prepared for the worms when they are moved into the new breeder bin. This preparation allows time to adjust moisture levels or bedding components if necessary, ensuring a smooth transition for the worms.

Why is it important to check the condition of the breeder bin before preparing new bedding?

Checking the breeder bin helps assess the current state of the bedding, including the presence of worms, cocoons, and biota. This provides crucial information on how the bedding is breaking down and helps adjust the new bedding mixture accordingly.

What does the presence of orange microbial biota in the bedding indicate?

The presence of orange microbial biota indicates that the bedding is at a temperature conducive to microbial activity. This biota is crucial for breaking down organic matter, helping to process food sources in the bedding.

What should be the ideal moisture level of the breeder bin bedding?

The breeder bin bedding should be very moist but not soggy. The bedding needs to retain enough moisture to support the worms' environment without becoming waterlogged, which could cause problems like anaerobic conditions.

How does Jayne suggest managing dry pockets in the bedding mix?

Jayne acknowledges that dry pockets often form during mixing and suggests adding more water over the course of the next few days to ensure the bedding becomes evenly moist. She checks and adjusts moisture levels as needed to maintain consistency.

Why does Jayne use crushed leaves in the bedding mix, and how does it benefit the worms?

Crushed leaves provide a carbon source for the bedding, which helps balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. This balance is important for maintaining a healthy worm habitat and supporting proper decomposition of organic matter.

What is the purpose of adding worm chow to the bedding mix?

Worm chow is added to provide a nutritious food source for the worms. It helps to ensure they have adequate sustenance as they begin breeding in the new bedding.

What role does azomite play in the bedding mix?

Azomite is a mineral supplement that helps improve the worms' digestion and nutrient uptake. It also makes minerals more bioavailable to plants when the worm castings are eventually used in gardening.

Why does Jayne powder the eggshells before adding them to the bedding?

Powdered eggshells provide grit to help worms digest food more effectively. The powder form also helps to ensure the eggshells break down more evenly, and it adds calcium to support the worms' overall health.

What is the purpose of spraying molasses water on the bedding?

Molasses water is used to feed and activate the biota in the bedding. It helps rehydrate and stimulate microbial life, which plays a key role in breaking down organic matter. However, it is applied carefully to avoid overheating the bedding.