European Night Crawlers in the Wedge System- Prep for Vermi Wedge

/ @plantobsessed
Maintaining the ENC in the half barrels today. Getting ready to move the new ENC to the Vermi Wedge.
Playlist for the European Night Crawlers Here
• European Night Crawlers
See description below-I purchased 500 Cocoons in 2019 from ETCWL and was given 1 pound of adult ENC from NE worms The bins were started in July 2021 I am an Amazon affiliate. The items below are the Amazon affiliate links for the items I use in my wormery. The cost is the same to you.
MICROSCOPE
amzn.to/3DSSmRl
Tetra 16172 Aqua Safe Fish Tank Water Conditioner
amzn.to/3Mn1Ase
Water Nozzle caps
amzn.to/3plMuMn
SE 5-Piece Set of Patented Stackable 13-¼” Sifting Pans - GP2-5 SET
amzn.to/3qo5YLh
SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, 1/4" Mesh Screen - GP2-14
amzn.to/2PKdbbZ
SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, 1/8" Mesh Screen - GP2-18
amzn.to/3rtYd7O
SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, Mesh Size 1/12" - GP2-112
amzn.to/2O3y0ie
Down to Earth Organic Alfalfa Meal
amzn.to/3RnrGxz
Fish scale, Dr.meter Backlit LCD Display 110lb/50kg
amzn.to/3ADOS4Y
BLACK+DECKER Coffee Grinder
amzn.to/3PjkXDk
pH meter TDS meter compo pack
amzn.to/3KmN1Ty
Mesh bags to make worm tea
amzn.to/3GAqrW3
Coco coir Coco Bliss
amzn.to/3fuyc44
Organic Kelp Fertilizer
amzn.to/3GzZ66y
Liquid Kelp
amzn.to/3pCT4vu
Unsulfured Black Strap molasses
amzn.to/3Frroih
Utility Tub - 26" X 20"
amzn.to/3eehgzn
Aurora 18 sheet shredder
amzn.to/3swpcQR
SE 5-Piece Set of Patented Stackable 13-¼” Sifting Pans - GP2-5 SET
amzn.to/3qo5YLh
SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, 1/4" Mesh Screen - GP2-14
amzn.to/2PKdbbZ
SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, 1/8" Mesh Screen - GP2-18
amzn.to/3rtYd7O
SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, Mesh Size 1/12" - GP2-112
amzn.to/2O3y0ie
Bon Tool 11-407 Utility Tub - 26" X 20"
amzn.to/3eehgzn
Tetra 16172 Aqua Safe Fish Tank Water Conditioner
amzn.to/3Mn1Ase
Worm Farmers Handbook Book
amzn.to/3HHPNBd
Worms Eat My Garbage Book
amzn.to/3ILNYV0
Vermiculture and Technology Book
amzn.to/3txZKvQ
Worm Farm Revolution
amzn.to/34fl4O9
Uncle Jims European Night Crawlers
amzn.to/3IZCT37
Uncle Jims Product page
amzn.to/3to2GeA

[@Val140Ohl]

If you don’t have a grinder, don’t fret, put your egg shells in a zip lock bag, I use a gallon size, then take a rolling pin to it, flip the bag when needed and keep rolling, only takes a couple minutes and a lot cheaper, but it is not quite as fine.

[@PlantObsessed]

Thanks for the idea. 👍🏼🪱😁

[@Jane_in_Texas]

My favorite thing is when you sift!

[@PlantObsessed]

There will be more Sunday with Blue 💙💙🪱👍🏼😃

[@theelpydimension]

The wedge system looks like a great way to go. I have "DIY bins", aka standard storage bins. I don't use lids or holes in the bottom but I do use "blankets" in the form of paper grocery bags and/or cardboard. I just started using some bubble wrap (well bubble mailer) on my new blue worm bin. I harvest one half of my bin, add new material, then when the second half seems done enough to me I harvest that. I always leave a little bit of the old castings behind with the thinking they'll help inoculate the new material. I would definitely love to try the wedge method one of these days. Maybe once I get the basement better organized I can give this a shot. I love how exciting us worm farmers feel when we find a worm ball! I never do get worm balls like most of you big time farmers or people using the smaller bins. I appreciate the information about ENCs being smaller due to conditions. I started with Uncle Jim's red compost mix, a small batch of ENC, and then later some red wigglers. In September I picked 67 blue worms out and put them in their own little storage bin. I'd started to think maybe I only have reds and blues but maybe that's not so. Thanks for sharing your work and worms, they look great!!! 🙋‍♀

[@PlantObsessed]

I have been looking for a pure population of blues. Just to see how they do on their own without the bigger worms. I need to try that 👍🏼🪱😃

[@Vermicompost]

Your mice are evolving into super smart mice!!😂🤣😂Great to see the feeding frenzy worm balls without any teeth!! I'm so jealous of your basement!! I would definitely have a wormery and garden area like you!! Excellent video Ann!!🪱🪱🪱

[@PlantObsessed]

Yeah I'm not sure I would do this if they had real teeth. Yikes. 😁🪱👍🏼

[@Vermicompost]

@@PlantObsessed 😂🤣😂

[@NanasWorms]

Hi Ann, here in BC, castings go muddy when they go too far, not into clumps. I worked sawdust into the entire bins when that happened over the summer. The sawdust swelled and absorbed the excess moisture, allowing me to pull the worms from the material either manually or by baiting. You can't even find the worms when they are hiding in muddy castings! ~ Sandra

[@PlantObsessed]

Yes sawdust is a great idea. 👍🏼🪱😃

[@theelpydimension]

I agree it's difficult to find worms in muddy castings.

[@NanasWorms]

They love it in the mud! ~ Sandra

[@learnwithlillian8509]

Love your channel. Thanks for the detailed views and deep info. I’m a new worm farmer and you’ve helped me feel like a pro. I’ve been watching all your videos. They leave me feeling at peace.

[@PlantObsessed]

I'm so glad it has been helpful. Always feel free to ask any questions.😃👍🏼🪱

[@countdown.moments]

Your weekly videos have become a cool habit. We should really learn to work more with nature, and I wish I had an outdoor bin where the worms could be free to come and go. It would I think help understand them better and become a worm whisperer.

[@PlantObsessed]

I have one that I have not checked in all season due to a bumble bee nest. They do just fine without me. Lol 👍🏼🪱😃

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Hi Ann, We are just beginning to get cooler weather. Our early morning temps are in the 60's and it's wonderful. The worms 🪱 are enjoying it, too. I agree with you on adding some cardboard and waiting a month. Take care and enjoyed your seasonal changes. 🍁🍂🍁 ❤Peggy❤

[@PlantObsessed]

I'll bet everyone is enjoying the cool weather. 👍🏼🪱😃

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

@PlantObsessed i walked every morning about 6:30 and wore an open shirt over my normal T-shirt. Ahhh!

[@bartcalder2791]

I didn't realize that the Mites were in my bins until the lids got closed, darkness brought them out. Keep the lid open now. Am going to, one day, get into the wedge system like yours. Really like the way it works. Seem to generate a large amount of veggie matter and have found that when frozen, pureed...worms eat that stuff like dessert.

[@PlantObsessed]

Yes 100% they do very well with pureed food. 😃🪱👍🏼

[@theunskoch4256]

Looking at all that bedding its just amazing to see hownit turns to castings after a while

[@PlantObsessed]

Wild right? Worms are amazing creatures.😁🪱👍🏼

[@eddieandjulieklysz458]

To get rid of mice . If you put some quick dry cement in a low container add 1 to 2 tablespoons of dried parmesan cheese if you don't have dry cheese you can add flour in mix well. In another low container you can cut one side if needed and add water. Place both containers beside each other in a place you know they run. There is no smell when the die just rock mice . ❤

[@PlantObsessed]

Interesting, Ill have to try that in the garage. I'm always afraid to try anything that might hurt the cats or dogs if they find and eat the dead/dying mouse.👍🏼🪱😃🐾

[@rickjay4639]

Be careful with your pets

[@A-V]

Well stated description of a worm ball - .."like sharks, but no teeth". Haha! :) Good luck with getting the smart mice 👍🏻

[@PlantObsessed]

I don't mind sharing but they are a little pushy lol.😃🪱👍🏼

[@teetwo56]

Anxiously waiting for moving day

[@PlantObsessed]

I'm getting closer to getting the spot ready. In such a small space it is challenging.😃🪱👍🏼

[@nusoilwormfarm7980]

Northeast worm moved more toward making soil mixes Ann. He has a few investors and the changed the company name.

[@PlantObsessed]

It sounds like he's doing very well. I'm happy for him. 👍🏼🪱😃

[@nusoilwormfarm7980]

@ absolutely 🪱🪱

[@wormweirdo340]

Oooh, can’t wait to see the VermiWedge!

[@PlantObsessed]

I'm excited too. Can't wait to see what the differences between blue and the vermi wedge. 👍🏼🪱😃

[@mikkosgarden]

Looks like you have a good plan for your next years garden. I had to bring in a plant to finish ripening as well. It was good to taste fresh peppers in my meal today.

[@PlantObsessed]

It is great to have your own produce in the winter. Grandpa pepper gives me about one new pepper a month.👍🏼🪱😃

[@GardeningwithBarchuckin]

At the lower end there were some larger ENCs. Wetting the leftover bits is a good idea. Typically I just throw them back into the feeding area and the bits breakdown nicely. I will have to check out new soil.

[@PlantObsessed]

There are still some of the og ENC from them. All the new ones are small. Maybe when I retire I can focus on feeding them often enough to keep them big. 😁🪱👍🏼

[@Tippler0611]

I've soaked rock hard castings into worm tea. It takes time but they dissolve totally, and release anything that wasnt done so it can be scooped back into the bin. Had a whole worm tower tray go crunchy on me and I didnt have the patience to start over completely with it.

[@PlantObsessed]

Patience is not one of my virtues either. Whatever works is what I say. 😃🪱👍🏼

[@dnawormcastings]

The worms are loving that pumpkin and very healthy also 🇳🇿🪱

[@PlantObsessed]

That was a very lucky score to get all those pumpkins. Hopefully I can remember to do it again next year 😃🪱👍🏼

[@davebanner8666]

I like to take the hard pellets and clumps I throw it in a 5 gallon bucket and fill with water and make I guss you call it a modified worm tea and use it to water my plants and throw the soggy worm castings into the garden. 😄

[@PlantObsessed]

I have been there too. That's what I call water harvesting. That's when it's even too far for the other methods.😃🪱👍🏼

[@scrapzwtf]

I like my Vevor stacked bin that’s just a rebranded VermiHut, only cheaper. I paid less than $60. That’s about as large as I can support with fresh food and scraps unless I buy just for the worms, which I have done 🥴. We’ve been eating out lately so I gave them a can of pureed pumpkin yesterday. Beets are nutritious and pretty cheap. I keep a few of cans for when I don’t have scraps.

[@PlantObsessed]

They do love pumpkin more than anything I bet they go nuts over it.😃🪱👍🏼

[@LesliSagan]

As far as the mice go, I've had really good luck with Parmesan cheese as bait and the liquid bait sold by tomcat.

[@PlantObsessed]

I need to try the parmesan cheese. I have been using peanut butter. I am catching quite a few there just doesn't seem to be an end to them. 🫣🪱👍🏼

[@LesliSagan]

@@PlantObsessed A local company put wire mesh along my foundation (1830s farmhouse...) and that stopped the incursion. It isn't cheap, but if you know where they are coming in, you can do just a small section.

[@eddieandjulieklysz458]

We would love to have a worm bed but we live in a very hot summer up and over 140F we are in Australia outback.

[@PlantObsessed]

Oh my that would need to be an inside worm bin. I can't imagine any worms living in that heat. Do you have basements there?👍🏼🪱😃

[@mandaAU09]

Fellow Aussie here, I'm not in the outback, but try somewhere like under your kitchen sink etc

[@arianaarulampalam8861]

Could try an in-ground worm bin?

[@donolawills4010]

I just mix mine into the soil as is😊

[@PlantObsessed]

Skip the bin altogether and compost right in the soil. Nice. 👍🏼🪱😁

[@Power_Prawnstar]

Should be a meme "Bro, do you even sift???"

[@PlantObsessed]

Great idea, first worm vocabulary now worm memes. 👍🏼🪱😁

[@karischmoyer7276]

Hi Ann. What is vermi wedge? Different from Blues 1/2 brother?

[@PlantObsessed]

The vermi wedge is a professionally made worm system from Tom at the Vermi bag company. I expect it will be as big as blue 💙💙🪱👍🏼