How I Start A New Worm Bin

Part 2 of the beginning worm bin series. This is a video explaining how I set up a new worm bin.
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Material List
5 gallons moistened cardboard/paper
2 quarts chopped food waste (10%)
1 quart 1/2 inch screened compost (5%) optional
1/4 cup processed egg shells

[@TimGriess]

I filled a large trash can with dry leaves, old compost, shredded paper, and tons of veggie scraps and egg shells. About 3.5 feet full. I then added 1000 worms. They love it. Worms adapt.

[@Randomyoutubecommenter]

How many do you think are in there now?

[@TheCrazyWormLady]

Looking forward to seeing how this goes!

[@GeauxGrow]

Thanks for sharing this very informative video. I wish I would've seen this before I got started. I lost a good bit of worms probably because I set my bin up after I received them.

[@lombrigreen4054]

thank you for sharing your experiences

[@gayleharrelson579]

that's a easy cheap set up to raising worms & YES it does work I raise worms just like this. GOOD vid.

[@sandyralston5814]

Best video I've seen for a worm bin. Plan to use you're way when it warms up.

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

Sandy Ralston I’m glad you like it! 🙂

[@WDWormsnGarden]

Very detailed. I like that you use measurements for each ingredient, that way you can keep the quality of your castings consistent.

[@graypistachio4141]

Thanks from Holland bro! You make the best video's on this subject.

[@ddd3240]

Thanks for posting this. About the only thing I do different is use water out of a small duck pond. It’s got lots of life in it already and seems to kickstart the process a bit. I usually wait a week depending on temperatures.

[@tayloracreshomestead887]

I just set my bed up about two weeks ago! I put my food scraps in the grinder to get them tiny. Seems to make the worms happy!!

[@WATCHINGTHEWATCHERS]

Achtully you should not chop up the food as it will rot to fast for the worms to eat. I put whole avocado and corn on cob and takes the worms a few weeks to eat.

[@Luis-zl5cg]

@@WATCHINGTHEWATCHERS I've blended it and the worms seems to get at it faster and eat it faster but I wondered if it was just the number of worms and I did it with a bin with low population vs a high population bin and the low population only 3 would get at it and congregate around it and in thr large population half of em would congregate and finish it and eventually the low pop it seems what you said was correct they couldn't get at it as quick

[@philandhannahslittlefarm1464]

We have started a few worm bins now! Thanks for the tutorial! I wish my shredder made nice small pieces like that!!

[@michaelbaessler8982]

I started my first bin about 2 weeks ago, and so far they're flourishing! I only found this video today, but I really like this method, and I can see that you put a lot of thought into your vermiculture, and you know what you're doing! I'm definitely going to use this idea when I expand (currently I'm using maybe a 3 gallon Rubbermaid 2 bin system). I appreciate you sharing your knowledge!

[@danielsalach1234]

Iv got worms coming in now so its a help ill take some of my compost for bacteria.

[@makaivictor8795]

I dont mean to be off topic but does someone know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb lost the account password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me!

[@stephenyehuda5655]

@Makai Victor instablaster =)

[@markfranklin8831]

How many worms do you start the breading project

[@michaelbaessler8982]

@@markfranklin8831 I started with 1000 from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm.

[@oahola237]

Thanks, these videos are very informative. Setting up my first bin today. Subscribed.

[@princessgardenswormfarm]

Thank you for this!! Let my bin sit for a week before adding worms and they seemed to settle in better that my first worms.

[@nancysmith9487]

Thank yous for sharing.... and breaking down ratios, as to how you feel works best.

[@lucretiahoverter9486]

Thank you soooo much for sharing your techniques and expertise! I deeply appreciate it!

[@bvalenz4526]

So much knowledge out there I love it. Thank you for taking the time! 😏

[@sharoncombs58]

VERY helpful! Thanks for sharing your method!

[@surfcitybusybee]

Great video! This is pretty much how I have set up my bins, so glad to know that I've been doing it right. I've had my bins for about one year, and the worms are thriving! I found over 100 cocoons in about one square foot of bedding yesterday, so they must be very happy worms!

[@judytelles5617]

Thanks very much,I have read comments and all so helpful.You are a natural teacher and good of you to share.I love your accent.

[@TheGardenAndWormLady]

Great video 👍🏽

[@jiujitsuforall8627]

So glad I found your vid! I was just about to order my worms and coconut coir to start my bin! Now I'll do the cardboard/paper thing and age the bedding, THEN I'll order my worms. Thanks!

[@greenthumbswhitsundays8010]

This a great info video. You have answered all my questions thank you so much

[@johoney5458]

thank you for all this info. on worm bins. I have been reading about making my own worm bin, and this video cleared up some questions I had. It hit the nail on the head. I look forward to your next video.

[@TheLaLaFarm]

Excellent video - you explained the process of setting up the first bin very clearly and simply. I subscribed to follow along with you. -Rick

[@marcocrispin4975]

Thank you for teaching me!

[@luzroman7988]

Saw your video last night and of course I ordered the wigglers earlier in the day. UJ will ship today so I have time to prepare the bedding following your model before I receive them in 4 or 5 days. I was going to add just the coir but wasn't quite sure about adding anything else. I have been shredding cardboard for several months now to include in the worm bin, but this video was certainly an Aha moment for me. I just have a plain shredder that spits out spaghetti long strands. While I soaked a 5-gallon pail of shredded cardboard, I added dry cb to the bin, and mixed in 2 quarts of bokashi that had been fermenting for about 3 months. I also tore apart and added the brown paper that covered the bokashi which had mycelium on it and was wet with the pickling liquid. I also had biochar that I mixed in with a homemade soil mix, and a mix of DE/oyster shell/alfalfa meal/kelp meal/ground egg shell/coffee grounds. Added the squeezed shreds and mixed thoroughly. I covered the bin with a towel. I will mix every day until the worms arrive. I will still lay a little coir at the bottom of my in ground compost bin and then add the mix. I am so glad I saw your video, thank you so much for posting it. I'm excited, can't wait. Yes, I just had to subscribe, need you in my library.

[@mccaskillfarmstead4244]

Thanks ,Starting one now! Just subbed 👍🏼

[@Chrissmithers9]

Yooo. . .thanks man. . Starting an indoor vermicompost in my apartment soon. . . Thanks for the basics here🙏🙏🙏

[@moehtown5126]

Do true 2 weeks min. U smart man bro. Much luv all the way from Houston texas

[@TexasOrganicGardening]

Nice thorough video Josh!

[@ernestbunburry2811]

About to start a new bin for an order of some African night crawlers that I'm about to make. Everything's set. Waiting for the water to de-chlorinate before soaking the shreddings. Thanks for posting.

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

Ernest Bunburry Awesome! Let me know how they do.

[@ernestbunburry2811]

Will keep you posted. Thanks.

[@TRUMP4PRISON2024]

Great advise before you buy worms.. I was about to order when I came across your video.. thank you sir 👍🏽

[@justinxin4794]

Awesome southern accent and very detailed video. Thank you for sharing.

[@obviousness8113]

Great video, my friend! I started my first worm bin about 6 weeks ago and I'm still very much learning all the little details. This was really informative and I like your methods. You also have a really cool accent! Howdy from Texas 🤠

[@bdmenne]

Nice to see the care. Appreciate

[@srinivasanpadmanabhan1811]

how do you go about maintaining the moisture ? spray/mist water every few days ?? Thanks

[@In20xx]

Thank you so much for making these videos, full of great information!

[@williambritton4484]

🎄♻️ Creative longevity well-being onward solutions terrific all good work ✅ thanks for healthy prevention:-)0)

[@kemocaj]

I enjoyed your video. I use cardboard for all my bedding. I like to use a spray bottle to really soak the paper. Looking forward to watching more of your content.

[@air-driveaquaponics204]

I've lived off grid many years. Nice to see a worthwhile and properly informative tutorial. Only thing I would do different is use less cardboard and more compost browns as a personal preference. Regardless this is still a great way to bed worms no matter where one resides. Thanks for your time and effort!!!

[@chriskelly1825]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/paKtepWGaNFsq9U

[@davidbean5807]

I add a bout a cup of Ground corn meal in mine as well. The worms seem to love it . You do have to mix it thoroughly though or it will start to mold on the top.

[@GreenLion419]

Mold is what you are looking for. The worms actually eat the microbes, not the organic material. The organic material serves as a substrate for the bacteria, and michorizza in the bin.

[@sleeplessinthecarolinas8118]

@@GreenLion419 I didn't know this. Thanks!

[@planecrazyish]

Excellent video 👏👏👏👏👏. This has to be the best explained video, on the simplest method to start a worm bin 👍👍👏👏👏👏👏. This is definitely the method I will be using to start my first worm bin. Cheers buddy 🙏👍👍

[@rajendralamichhane4064]

Great video. You have nicely explained it.

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Wow! That was fast! Those worms barely had a chance to jump up and down 🪱❤️🪱

[@ClickinChicken]

I always remember what you said, and I do, rip up egg cartons when I watch a movie.

[@INSP4UNme]

Thank you for sharing your video

[@philandhannahslittlefarm1464]

great video!

[@ToastyToast22]

For those interested, the percentage of eggshell he uses is about %0.3. 1 Gal=128 fl oz 128*5=640 2/640=0.003125 Hope this helps anyone who needs it!

[@rainbowsandlove]

Maybe he’s tried and tested them and let’s not be a hater, because he’s doing a public service by giving us free information which he doesn’t have to do so get back in your lane...?!

[@sharronlee4641]

Perfect video. Thank you.

[@JesusLovingHomesteader]

Great Video!

[@ropermrmeredith06]

i'm going to make me a worm bed with 2 peces of 6 feet of 2 by 12 lumber and 4 feet at each end.i did this many years ago before i retired and i had plenty of worms to fish with and even more to sell.i'm going to start this tomorrow before it starts getting hot weather.i'll order my red worms from ebay....thanks for your advice!

[@zombi3907]

I could listen to this dude say ten per cent all day long. Great video. I am using coir, compost from a previous worm bin, and food scraps with some shredded cardboard. Two things I learned from this is eggshells ground up as a PH buffer, and waiting to add worms to the bin until the bacteria get established. One thing I have found very useful is to aerate the bin by drilling a ring of 3/8 inch holes around the top below the lid for air movement, and I also drill a ring of holes at the bottom. Then I put a disposable pan liner under that with a hole in the middle; I set the whole thing on bricks and but a jar under the hole. The liquid that comes out of that bin is the best thing ever; you aerate it with added water and it becomes worm tea- which is the best fertilizer you can get! It also prevents anaerobic environments at the bottom of the bin!

[@patriciabroussard5696]

Can I just put a pan underneath I’ve drilled holes to the bottom it can leak in there he didn’t add peat moss can’t you mix that in with it I saw that on a lot of videos with coil mixed in which helps with moisture I drill holes to the top lid and bottom

[@jeremyhuddleston6107]

Thank you for the video. One question, why do the layers if your going to just mix it up? Thanks

[@toniwarrson2682]

thats so awsome i did all what you said 5 gallon carbourd 19 gallon tout 10% food scaps 5% compost so next sunday will be 7 days i will be getting eurpein night crawlers or is this just for red wigglers i got 7 days

[@samnikole1643]

I am getting 2 wagon fulls of horse poo and for some reason worms love horse poo.so I will have a huge mound of worms as well. cant wait for the load

[@jasperine141]

Slugs like eating cat's doins.

[@oliviv8010]

Well explained. Thank you

[@WhenAllElseFailsDive]

Thanks from Okinawa!

[@LarryWileyWormFarm-ey8lp]

Looks good wish I had known all this when I started.

[@michaelsmith9629]

Excellent instruction...thanks! Subbed

[@michaelwisdom4853]

Great instruction video! Where did you find a shredder that will handle cardboard?

[@ezyjack826]

great video and very informative. I was just given a pound of worms so I can't wait two weeks. what adjustments should I make? luckily I have compost so should I put them in there with some food and cardboard while my new bin sets up? I have chopped up brown leaves from last fall. how would I use them in my bin? thank you :-)

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

Jack compost is the best bedding you could use. Just screen it to 1/2 inch if possible and put the worms in it. Cover it with the leaves and let them settle in for 3-4 days before feeding them. Then dig down a little and add a small amount of food with some cardboard and cover over with the compost. Keep an eye on it to see how fast they eat it then feed them again in another spot once it is almost gone.

[@RocketPipeTV]

Very informative and detailed Info, thanks! One question: with what device did you shred the paper and cardboard in such perfectly neat little pieces?

[@michaelbaessler8982]

I think he said a crosscut shredder.

[@ChicquitaMBCrawford]

Do you store this with the kids off? You don't need air holes at the bottom, sides or top, etc? Do you place burlap over this at any point? Plan on trying soon. Thanks for all your help and info.

[@tombeckett4340]

My God man I just put in fine strips of paper and leaves and black soil in layers a long with used coffee grounds. Along with table scraps . Water light between layers and make sure you have good air vents with screens in your bin. Great Canadian night dew worms . Thanks cheers 🇨🇦👍

[@tbone6203]

This is real america where i grew up eastern n.c 12 yrs marine corps - real deal self sufficient knowledge of life! My worms thriven on this tutorial-

[@u.synlig]

T Almendarez I think the U.S.A. is probably the only country where part of the inhabitants believe that _they_ are the “real”/“true” citizens of the country - based upon the external traits of region and/or occupation - and that other inhabitants of the same country are not “real” citizens. Isn’t that weird?

[@WATCHINGTHEWATCHERS]

I have put shredded paper in the worm bin befor but I find the worms prefer whole newspaper or sheets of card boad. 1 inch soil or compost then news paper then the food scraps that have been rotting a cupple weeks. Then on top of that more newspaper and that's it.

[@robertjeffery3237]

Super! What is the best temperature range for the worms?

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

robert jeffery Anywhere between 55 and 80 degrees will work fine. The ideal temperature for maximum food processing is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything bellow 40 and above 85 is dangerous for the worms. In that case you might have to rotate ice packs on top of the dry bedding in high temperature or put a heating pad or hand warmers on the top in temperatures close to freezing. I will try to mention that in future videos.

[@remnantfewministriesminist495]

This was a great video. Very thorough! Can you use rabbit manure in compost?

[@WDWormsnGarden]

Yes but you may need to add small portions or compost it first so the bin doesn't overheat and kill the worms.

[@KasumiRose77]

Goods advice - aging the bed. I had the same thing happen, they all ran out. Luckily I didn't buy them.

[@alexanderbennett858]

Good video

[@nancysmith9487]

Nice job jnl fusion

[@lorlahhay]

Thanks Much. Bro.

[@christinegoundar879]

Love the accent😊

[@robinhardison5817]

Most water municipalities nowadays use chloramine to treat water not chlorine. Chloramine does not evaporate. It stays in the water longer and is cheaper to use since they don't have to treat the water as often. So you need to call your local water office and ask them. If your water is treated with chloramine you need to go buy distilled water. It's really cheap and a lot safer to use.

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

Robin Hardison my water treatment facility uses chlorine I have checked. That is good advise for someone starting out that might not know what there water contains. Thank you for the advice!

[@moraleskp]

Does chlorine remover for an aquarium remove chloramine?

[@janiceadriana6830]

Did you let it open for a week or cover the bin.

[@judithreynolds1657]

I learned a lot, thank you very much! My question would be, how long would it take all this to be "worked up" and how could you harvest at the end? For me it takes forever to separate the worms, maybe somebody has a better solution for this small scale operation.

[@Thought_Criminal_13]

Can I use some of my fox farm soil if I wait the week or two like you mentioned?

[@BobMelsimpleliving.]

Interesting that you don't put any holes in the bin. Everyone else I've seen does. Happy New Year. Best wishes Bob.

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

BobMels Gardens If you keep an eye on your feedings and put dry bedding under the damp food you won’t have any excess moisture in the bin. I very rarely have to add water as well.

[@shirleysunshine3319]

they need air

[@jkvv2006]

yea Ive seen several people on youtube not requiring holes because they manage their food moisture...some just dump their blended scraps and its liquious

[@littlebittruckin8034]

BobMels Gardens I made mine in a fish tank so my kids could see them wrk...never had a problem

[@ringoyr]

@@littlebittruckin8034 I like that idea. What's your setup like? I'd like to try that.

[@barryrobinson8403]

totally agree with Slayer Jesse, i too had watched so many vids my mind had become fogged up with some differences in making the initial bed and this was definitely the best i have seen and now subscribed to see them all. You are the one i'm going to copy--most others wing it around the basics and sure it all turns out good but you seem more precise and definitely come across as one who really knows how to do it right. With that said however i noticed you didnt have any drain holes or air holes in that bin?????????????????????

[@coffinshaker]

Great vid. We don't eat a lot of eggs so I had to buy round oyster shells. Do they have the same ability to help with the PH?

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

Spot Manduex oyster shell does help with the Ph just like egg shell would. Anything that has a high level of calcium will help buffer the Ph.

[@monaadams6529]

I have coco coir only and it dried out a lot before I got my worms. I sprayed it with a spray bottle of regular water from the sink that had set a few days but I didn’t know I needed to let the water set so it had the sprayer in the whole with no escape for the chlorine. I also used the water from the house to soak the coir. Like I said it had dried out a lot and I really think even with spraying the news paper sheet on top it wasn’t enough. I had 2 nights of chasing worms until I read the paper I had not seen from Jim’s worm farm.it said put a light over the bin to cause them to go down into the bedding. That really helped but there was still a few getting out. I thought maybe. I had not given enough food because it was very little so I did what I saw on KZbin from another person and mixed up in a blender, apple peels and a little apple that I had cut and sitting in my kitchen composter. There was a few little bites sitting on counter for a few days. Then I ground oat n meal in chopper and added it along with ground up to dust egg shells and put just a little , maybe 3 shells. I put in a few inches deep and I had to look the next day and I could not find it. I was wondering should I start a new bed that would be done correctly when they got it and should I put in some composted chicken poop that I got from our agriculture store. It is all organic. I sure hate the thought of these creatures being under stress . My card board isn’t shredded and it sure is thick compared to yours. I have Amazon boxes. Please help a newbie at worms and a Senior Citizen . That you so much, New Senior on The Block

[@apesonegotrips7]

Where are you keeping your bin? If the location is too hot that might be drying it out. Also, you don’t want your bin in a sunny location. What I do with cardboard is just cut it into strips real thin. Or if you know how to dice an onion, there’s an even better technique. Cut incomplete strips so that all the strips remain attached to the same piece. Then cut across those strips so that you get little squares (just like dicing an onion). If you soak the cardboard first, you can separate the layers so it’s not as thick and easier to cut. What type of worms are you using? I find that the european night crawlers take a little while to settle down and, compared to red wrigglers, are more likely to try to escape. Don’t get me wrong, I think the european night crawlers are great, and they make a great team with red wrigglers in my opinion. Also, disturbing them will cause them to try and leave as well. Try to fight the temptation to check on them too often. Speaking of which, I keep a lid on my bins. This helps as long as you’re sure to drill holes in the lid and the bin. I hope this helps

[@JorgePicco]

Intriguing

[@nancysmith9487]

Appreciate it

[@maryshomestead]

Do you cover it is there a certain temp that you need to maintain it, what time of year do you prepare this or does it matter

[@ramblingsofthethurmondator1657]

Great video. What kind of shredder are you using? The one we have at work doesn't like card board. Also your dog looks a lot like my Leinie dog. Is it a Carnathan Black Mouth Cur?

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

Thurmondator I have a 14 sheet shredder at work that I use. It works pretty well. Astro is a Boxer Labrador mix. He is the best dog I have ever had. Haha

[@cloudy2o333]

Thank you so much for this!!! I was getting very tired of all the confusing and conflicting info, and this was exactly what I needed. Hopefully the night before will be good enough for them to not want to run.

[@vbowker]

what do you use to shred the cardboard? It looks great!

[@the0prynce]

What type of shredder are you using for your cardboard? I'm drooling

[@uchibauki2515]

the0prynce bonsaii C118 C14 sheet cross cut heavy duty paper and credit cards shredder with five gallon pullout basket

[@CutandShoot5x5]

New Subscriber Brother! I’m brand new to the gardening/worm scene. I’ve always felt through common sense that without worms you couldn’t have a real viable garden so I’m glad to have run across your channel! What worms do I order? Thx from TX!

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

Gregory Maier thanks for subscribing! I’m glad you enjoy my videos! I use red wigglers. They are very easy to take care of in a small bin and go through the food pretty fast.

[@jennymullins593]

I thought you'd need holes at the bottom of the bin so they can escape if they need to. I've concocted a few different methods to see which works best, after I drowned a bucket of them by leaving it uncovered & exposed to rain. I felt so guilty. Then, I drilled holes in the bottom of buckets (having handles to carry them is great). I added some soil mixed with compost, vege scraps & a bit of manure. Worms come up through the holes in the bucket when they smell a free feed! I did this with a large garbage bin too. I must have a billion or more worms...I have to divide them up because there's just so many. I've never bothered, nor needed to buy them...they just come on their own, the little freeloaders! Gosh you're patient shredding all that cardboard, wetting & squeezing out! Well done! '

[@paularmstrong1304]

I have cocoa coir can I use that instead of cardboard? if so how much do you think I should use for a 10 gallon storage container?

[@WDWormsnGarden]

Coconut coir is excellent because it is not acidic. Your bedding should be roughly 6" deep.

[@elaineclark6210]

Awesome !!

[@thedealer799]

Nobody told me to set up my bin a week or 2 in advance. I wasn't even planning on making a living space for my worms. I was just getting worms to put into my soil for my plants per usual and due to price inflation on worms and castings I got to thinking. Long story short I made a worm bin a day after I got 2lbs of red wigglers from a 50 gal drum filled with composted steer manure, wheat straw and shredded newspaper. With first feed of brown decomposing leaves and corn/barley pulp. The first night a couple tried to leave but other then that it's been smooth sailing. I'm on day 3 now.

[@arthurotranto]

Your videos are very good ... I'm from Brazil and I would like to know why the amount of worms in your wormhole is great ... and if you do some maxhete to increase? If you have any errors, I used a translator

[@jupitercyclops6521]

Tu es translates es caca!!! Like my espanol!!

[@SuperMommav]

If you already have a compost bin can you just collect the worms and put them in the bin? Or do you have to set them up separately?

[@tripletsplaytime]

Yes u can use your worms from your compost been

[@SlayerJesse]

I've watched so many videos on how to do worm bins. I mean... this is like my 20th video... So far, this is THE best one! I love all of the information you provided. If I had just seen this first it would have saved me a few days worth of time.

[@joshuacraft493]

I’m only half way done and I feel the exact same way! Even though I still like to see ALL THE VIDEOS, and make my own game plan from all the videos. I have my first one going the past 3 months and it’s literally caused me to buy more fruit and veggies, drink my re coffeee and buy and use more eggs 🥚 to add to my worm bin! Which in my head is a plus big time! I’m feeding myself and my family way less processed junk food and way more organic healthy meals with lots of fruits and veggies! Just so I can add all the scraps twice a week to my bins! I now have half my freezer full of watermelon and cantaloupe rinds along with other scraps because I only have one bin at the moment, and Hal fb a second one started. Caught all the worms myself with the kids in the woods..(4-500 and fun afternoon outdoor time with my 4 and 7 year old getting dirty playing in the woods and soil teaching them and finding worms! It’s like Easter egg hunting for all of us and the excitement I watch them on their face when they find a huge warthworm by themselves is so worth it itself. They also enjoy making the beds and feeding the worms and watching slowly as they decompose and make the awesome worm compost soil while also learning same time!!!) I can’t wait to not rent and own our own property so we can also do compost piles in the yard! Have our own big garden, mini gardens, start a mini huge fruit orchard (apples, oranges, lemons, limes, olives, blueberries, ect and so on, then learn how to graft and make a citrus tree that grows all oranges, lemons, limes, and other fruits on one same tree when the grafting is successful) so much fun to go as time goes on and learning for myself and my kids. Be way more healthy and self sufficient!!!

[@stevep2325]

can I use cow manure (black Kow) to mix in with the other things.

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

Mike P you sure can. I have used bagged manures in the past. It would be best if you can screen it down to a half inch if possible though. The bagged products tend to clump up while it is in the bag.

[@stevep2325]

ty Josh

[@chcatwoman]

Hi, I don't know if you've moved on from this topic but after successfully maintaining my worm farm for just about 3 years, following your method entirely, I'm moving and need to relocate my worms as well. So I went back to scratch to start a new bed. I did everything exactly as you said except I'm using a wooden hope chest instead of a tote. The entire bottom is open, covered only with hardware cloth first and then window screen. There are no air holes on the sides or lid. I multiplied all the ingredients times 3 bc it is that much larger. I used strained compost from my worm bin. After the very 1st day it was already generating heat. And then there was no more heat. I continued to stir it everyday and everyday I check for heat but there is no heat, not even slightly warm, and it has been well over a week. I can see tiny spots of mold/mildew on the inside of the lid, and a very slight moldy smell however, no mold present on the egg cartons I have on top of the bedding. Is it ruined? Today I put a hardware cloth cover and closed the lid, which leaves the lid cracked about 1cm. The amount of moisture in the bedding feels exactly how it was when I put it in, no more, no less. Except the bottom is slightly dry from the open bottom air exposure but I stir it everyday. Now what?? Can you please advise? 🥺

[@robinettefamilyfarm3510]

Sorry for the late reply. The heating then cooling is what you want. Worms don’t like the heat. In nature they are the finishers if a pile of manure or other organic matter is left out to compost. They move in after the heating process and further break down what the bacteria started on. Hope it turned out well. Again sorry for the later reply.

[@willanderson5088]

Some used potting soil works too or some dirt out of your yard. I use at least year old soil and works seem to love it. How much depends on how many worms. Enough for a nice little home

[@kiboz9]

Do you collect worm tea.? Very nice videos, good job.