How To Supercharge My Flow Through Worm Composting Bin

[@francoiscotten9996]

What you can do is to use a round garbage can. Then, instead of sliding the can, you rotate it over a blade in an angle. It will work the same way a rotary food mill work. You gain several advantages: (1) save some space (2) you have control over the quantity of compost you want, just rotate the can a quarter turn, half a turn or more. (3) probably easier to operate.

[@talldave1000]

Hope you are reading this... First, good job with the Korean intro, nice touch. Second, I wanted to share an idea I thought of this morning that may speed up the process of screening the lid. Now, I don't have any screen to cover the holes in the lid but I still wanted to ensure airflow so I drilled some holes in the lid then got some of my fifes old nylons and stretched them over the entire lid, and voila, it covered the holes but is still breathable. I do enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you, Dave. Great suggestion. I try to read all comments. Can’t do them all. Thank you for watching.

[@barbara9625]

I built one of these (flow-through) a while back, and my worms are thriving in it. I've only harvested once so far. I am finishing up a worm bin bench for the worm family to expand into, and when I finish it in a couple of days, I will be making some of your worm towers, too. Thanks for your videos!

[@charlottefirbank-king885]

Thanks again for a great bunch of videos. I noticed you toss in whole lumps of veggies. I was told it's better to put the veggies through a food processor, making it easier for the worms to eat.

[@efyHealth]

I was told the worms eat the fungi and bacteria on the veggies. They don't really eat the veggies. Thoughts?

[@5areth]

Have you considered expanding the frame higher to make a track for the top of the bin to slide along? Might help make it easier to push so you don't have to fight it tilting on you.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I hadn’t thought of that. I do think once it is only slicing through castings, it will push through more easily. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@5areth]

@@GreenShortzDIY No problem! Thanks for all the hard work you put into these videos. They're a pleasure to watch.

[@michaelfoster8530]

You could water the bin on a regular basis, since the the flow through system has more air entering the bin. Your bin appears too dry for the worms to thrive. Instead of using the clay soil, use peat moss or coconut coir and your castings will be dark and moist.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I concur with your moisture concern. The convection air flow rising through the bin definitely has a drying effect.

[@BomJimmy]

the bucket worm tower design @17:26 seems most efficient due to its width. Thank you very much.

[@VastCNC]

Great! We've been patiently anticipating an update, thanks for the work you do!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for waiting Chris. I shot this a few weeks ago. Finally made time to edit. Thanks for watching.

[@BomJimmy]

​ GreenShortz DIY , You mention it (and yes they are @11:47) nightcrawlers. But Red Worms are shorter in length and they don't like to explore up and out of the bins (at night). Also while Red worms consume vegetables, where as night crawlers (the longer one as shown here) like to eat earth matters ( there for used to soften the yard soils).

[@observing7312]

I just added sand to my composting bin. The worms seems to really appreciate it. Thanks!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Cool. It makes them think they are at the beach. Put in some sunscreen and little umbrellas and they’ll really be happy. :-) Silliness aside, worms love (and need) grit and sand is a great option. Thanks for the feedback.

[@observing7312]

GreenShortz DIY you're welcome! Your channel is very helpful.

[@albertafarmgirl]

You would have a lot more castings had you fed the worms during the winter. They can’t make castings and will not stay healthy, eventually dieting, if they are not fed often. The more you feed, the more they will work through, growing, producing casting and reproducing. You have to consistently feed. I’m going to for sire build your wormery this winter. Awesome plans.

[@karlk673]

Love the hollow log tower

[@terryrobinson1416]

I live close to spring Grove pa. Lol gonna have to drive there and buy some worms now.

[@adg8567]

Hey, I'm a follower from Istanbul (other side of the world) about a year and your videos are very inspring, thanks for sharing. And I'm investigating and experimenting worm compositing in house scale (actually in a balcony), here is my question; I wonder isn't the green material too much you installed in the black box? They'll produce some heat that might be harmful for the worms. I'll wait for your next video how it's working or how you handle if any heat problem occurs. Thanks again for sharing all your great videos. All the best from Istanbul. ✌️🏻😃

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for watching from Istanbul! I lived in the ME when I was in high school, but never made it to Turkey or your city. An amazing city with a rich history. The green stuff could produce some heat if it was composted in a deep pile or in the sun. In the composter, things stay pretty cool, especially since it it kept in the garage (or basement). Your balcony unit should be fine, as long as it doesn't get direct sunlight or the temps don't get over 27 degrees C. I know summer can be warm there. What are your average highs? Thanks for watching and for the encouragement. :-)

[@adg8567]

GreenShortz DIY, the global warming makes things harder, the bin's temperature is 30-32 degrees C at the day time and 27-29 at the night time. The bin is not deep, only 20 cm/8 inch, so I don't have heat problems because of the green stuff. Regardless the weather conditions the worms seem happy, fortunately... 😃

[@angusmacduff3471]

Has anyone built this and is using it - maybe a few harvests. I like the idea and think that it should work, but would like to hear from a dedicated vermi-composter as to the ease of use and the results. I bought a Hefty bucket but the garden is number one right now.

[@wirey79]

Have you thought about screen wire and shorting the throw of the blade. I love this video hope you will continue.

[@marlenen6130]

I think maybe skip the cutting bar and use a handheld melon cutter? It would be easier to get as high up as needed and more controlled mess.

[@ratzo5848]

Hey man, noticed you haven't been posting many vids lately. Hope all is well and you look great man.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Hi Jake. Thanks for the concern. I've been painting the garage, which has taken a lot of my free time. :-) The Honey-do trumps the KZbin. lol. I do plan to get going again at my normal pace (garage will be wrapped up tomorrow). I've got a series of rocket stove videos planned. Which I am really excited to film. Lots of good feedback on my recent upgraded stove and I want to refine further. Thanks for the encouragement and for watching.

[@ratzo5848]

GreenShortz DIY glad to hear all is well and you're busy. Looking forward to see those vids my friend.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks Jake. Have a great afternoon.

[@kreynolds1123]

If the egg shells were ground to a powder or near sand like grit, do you think they could use that instead of silicon dioxide sand?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Yes. If you powder the egg shells they can be used as grit. Thank you for watching.

[@zinn3243]

I have an idea that I would like to share. build the frame like the first one but taller, with the taper add a second bottom half of a trash can slid on to the bottom of the top one, so all you have to do is slide the bottom one off. Maybe put some latches it. drill some holes in the harvesting container so you can collect the liquid in a tray underneath.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Ideas always welcome, Jon. I like your suggestion. You've got me thinking. :-) Thanks for watching.

[@efyHealth]

How did you transfer your worms from the bin? Yep the clay wasn't a good idea.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I usually just transfer worms by hand. With gloves of course. LOL. Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it. Thanks for watching.

[@PlantObsessed]

I was wondering about wood shavings? Can I add them in?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Yes. Wood shavings are fine. Make sure it is untreated wood. Some woods are toxic, but a quick Google search should answer that. You might mix them with some dry leaves, and a little soil, more for consistency than anything. Thanks for watching.

[@mikeb5748]

place a book of matches under your pepper plants, the plant will get after the sulfure which for some reason makes big pepper plants and peppers

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for the suggestion, Mike. Thanks for watching.

[@RodeoCowgirl-55]

Who makes book of matches nowadays, hardly see them anywhere like back in 60's

[@danfielding5405]

could make it easier to slide the. blade if all 3 edges where sharp and for the best cut the bevel should be on the inside of the cutter plus it looks like you should lower the cut bar another ''1 or ''2 so it takes less each cut

[@AJsGreenTopics]

Nice worms.

[@BreakthroughEmpowered]

Can you use, brita water filter carbon as part of your bedding for bacteria? I have some old cartridges I was thinning to use in a system like this or is there a better application to recycle these?

[@Jo24Park]

Hey, I'd love to hear your experience on the following: Do you happen to find leachate dripping from the flow through worm bin? Evtl why not? Unfortunately if I try googling this it'll only explain me why worm tea and leachate are different things... But before getting into the build I'd like to pick a design that'd make me leachate! Thanks a lot :)

[@AdamShaiken]

Almost any design will provide leachate as long as an adequate moisture level is maintained. Some designs will afford a more readily accessible manner in which to drain it off. A valve at the lowest point in the system and a recessed region that allows for the accumulation and eventual drainage help to facilitate this process.

[@user-di7mq1ni6i]

Why not insert a 1" dowel rod through the sides at the bottom. Screw some 3" wood screws through the dowel rod, leaving an inch sticking out on each side. Attach a crank handle and then just rotate the dowel rod and the screws will grind out the castings and they will drop into your pan so you don't have to mess with the sliding.

[@i3oosted]

Does this produce worm tea?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

It produces leachate when I run more water through it. I think having the bottom open to the air allows it to dry out some, reducing the normal leachate flow. Thanks for watching.

[@Aelanna]

Can you use ash in place of the charcoal?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I think that would be fine. Ash won't have the surface area that bio-char or charcoal would, but it will be a good soil amendment. Thanks for watching.

[@baylorbear6566]

Always love seeing these videos as well as the BSF videos. Are there any foods you should avoid putting into a worm bin? I look forward to starting my own worm bin using a lot of your methods and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Looking forward to more great content.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for watching Baylor. Let me know if you decide on a particular model to build. I can give you some specific tips. Thanks for watching.

[@angelbarreiro3189]

Hi, I am from Hawkinsville GA and I am planning in cultivating but the Georgia clay has me intimidated. What part of Georgia are you in ?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I’m North of Atlanta. Are you thinking about doing worm composting in Georgia clay? If so, it is too dense for composting worms. Earth worms can handle it, of course, but they don’t compost organic material.

[@wm005]

Do you normally pick out the worms that do fall in the pan?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Hi Wayne. I would try to move them back into the composter. However, the don’t usually want to leave the bin, so it is rare to find them in the pan. Thanks for watching.

[@nekrom1o136]

Quick question What kind of worms are those again??

[@GreenShortzDIY]

These are red wiggler composting worms. They have a different physiology than earthworms. Thanks for the question.

[@BomJimmy]

​@@GreenShortzDIY You mention it (and yes they are @11:47) nightcrawlers. But Red Worms are shorter in length and they don't like to explore up and out of the bins (at night). Also while Red worms consume vegetables, where as night crawlers (the longer one as shown here) like to eat earth matters ( there for used to soften the yard soils).

[@aleksandrassivkovas9966]

I heard a lot about using 3 boxes. Did you try it? Is this way better?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

It is a preference thing. My first worm bin was a two-bin unit. (I recommend 2 bins versus 3). Worked great, but the worms and castings have to be separated manually. Which is kinda fun, but time consuming and a little messy. Here's a video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3m2YoiBmbqtjNE If you are just starting worm composting, it is a good starter system. Very easy to build. In my experience (so far), the flow through bin is much easier to harvest, although a few worms might get sliced in the process. Thanks for watching.

[@richardbinkley8487]

I NEED AN UPDATE!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Hi Richard. They is a worm bin update at the beginning of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmmqkIGalpyMptU Thanks for watching.

[@ManCrafting]

Hey Tom. Nice job. Give me a call. I'm back in town and should have some time this week.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Will do Chad! Hope you had a nice trip. Thanks for watching.

[@ManCrafting]

GreenShortz DIY we did. Thanks.

[@nekrasaaya]

What editing software do you use on your videos?

[@BomJimmy]

you can use "Resolve"

[@flatsville1]

Dude, You should have NEVER used clay soil as bedding. Coir dampened to the consistency of a wrung out sponge only yeilding a couple of drops of water would have been perfect. You need at least 24 inches of bedding to start with in this kind of design.

[@seanmcguire7974]

Looks pretty dry. Is it?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I think the moisture does dissipate by convection. Having the bottom open doesn’t help that. Thank you for watching.

[@whatatwist274]

Watched a few of your videos. No offense, but I think you focus so much on the system and the build that you forget the most important part, how to generate good quality worm castings, and a thriving worm bin. If you had thriving bins you would be growing and splitting your colonies, and you wouldn't have to keep buying worms from uncle Jim. Thank you for sharing your builds, I do like the other stuff you make!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

That is a fair assessment. I am more maker than vermiculturist. I do agree with your point that healthy worm colony can be divided and multiple units started. Thanks for the feedback. Thanks for watching.

[@billnye198]

Also, regarding uncle Jim's worm farm, if you're going to keep resupplying the worms, FIND A BETTER SUPPLIER! ok so literally as I was finishing typing this I hear 'special thanks to uncle Jim's for sending us the worms'.. Now it makes sense. But to anyone watching, don't get ripped off, shop around a bit.

[@SevenSproutsFarmstead]

Great job! So I did a thing, finally... I'd been telling you for a while now we were wanting to start a KZbin channel of our own, but that we were afraid. Well, we finally DID IT!!! We've now got 3 episodes up, and the 4th drops tomorrow. I hope you'll stop by to check them out and let me know what you think ❤️ We appreciate you and all your efforts. Jenn (Previously XxJennRNxX) Seven Sprouts Farmstead GA

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Awesome Jenn! The hardest part is getting started. Congrats on making it happen. Now, just keep going. I’ll stop over and do a little binge watching. :-)

[@roncline3120]

Wondering where you were.....The wife had you locked up in the basement with the worm bin huh ?????

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Ha. Sad but true. I had to cannibalize worms to survive. I appealed to her reason and won out. Seems the food scraps were piling up. :-) Thanks for watching.

[@roncline3120]

I know better..you married a Ga girl..she would at least give you three glasses of sweet tea and a biscuit every day hahaha

[@justgivemethetruth]

I think you made a big mistake filling the bin with clay-dirt. Also, when you are trying to harvest, you do not really have enough worm castings to justify it. Finally, on the hand you expect the worm castings to slide down over time so you can slice off another chunk, but then you expect the same castings not to slide out when you do your harvest and move everything over across the harvesting blade. I'd have to say, sorry, but I think this system does not succeed. I just found your channel today and was watching with amazement and even planning to build one of these, but I don't think it will work, at least not easily and efficiently. Great idea, but I think it needs more work.

[@FredMcIntyre]

👍🌱🐛🌱🐛🌱🐛👊

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for watching, Fred!

[@joriswagter8516]

You really don't need to add worms. use a bin without a bottom and put it on some soil or grass. they just crawl in themselves by thousands.

[@justgivemethetruth]

really?