How Many Worms To Expect In Each Level Of Your Worm Tower | Vermicompost Worm Farm

[@Vermicompost]

Below are some of the items I use for vermicomposting & my channel's videos. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you if you use these links. Thank you for supporting this channel! Worm Bins I use: Vermihut 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin amzn.to/3Xs1eGe Urban Worm Bag V2 amzn.to/3XE9QsT 20 Gallon Fabric Grow Pots amzn.to/3EBYhdr 3 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck tote amzn.to/3eKDLhO Other Worm Bins: Worm Factory 360 3-Tray Version amzn.to/3AHnjqK Worm Factory 360 5-Tray Version amzn.to/3tYfWY4 Bus bins amzn.to/3fd8AvP Equipment I use: 12 Sheet Cross Cut Micro Shredder (I use it to shred cardboard) amzn.to/3xYZKYu Magic Bullet Small Blender (to pulverize egg shells) amzn.to/3gwEzb4 Indoor Outdoor Wireless Thermometer for worm bin amzn.to/3wIdXbO Additional thermometer sensors 433 MHz amzn.to/41juD7v Please make sure Thermometer & sensor are the same MHz Additional thermometer sensors 915MHz amzn.to/3WTFgua Please make sure Thermometer & sensor are the same MHz Kitchen scale to weigh worms & food: amzn.to/3HnOQjg Blue gloves amzn.to/3XsBg5n Digital handheld Thermometer amzn.to/3EWfC2j Compost Tea Bags amzn.to/3fCb5o1 Solar powered light amzn.to/3nOucAq Reusable Keurig Coffee K-cups amzn.to/3FNXvt6 Other useful equipment for worm farming: 5 stackable sifter with different sized mesh: amzn.to/3S2k184 Cameras & camera equipment I use: GoPro HERO11 amzn.to/3jkRpLa Flexible Tripod amzn.to/3CGTjcF Insta360 GO 2 camera amzn.to/3oxCc80 Insta360 One X2 camera amzn.to/3nqV6hp iPhone 13 Max Pro amzn.to/3nq52aU Canon EOS Rebel T8i amzn.to/3HcBuX6 4 Ocean bracelets I wear Multiple colors to chose from bracelets amzn.to/3HMbHEx Books on worms & worm farming Worms Eat My Garbage amzn.to/3L4FXN2 Where to buy worms: www.TheGardenAndWormLady.com

[@vesgardens]

Your patience to count all of those worms is admirable because I would've stopped after one. 😂

[@Vermicompost]

😂🤣😂 I should have stopped at 1😀 I was regretting it at 300!!! Thanks so much for watching!!!🪱🪱🪱

[@karensterling5246]

Patrick your vermihut is alive and kicking. I’m always excited to see the worms. Happy vermicomposting🪱.

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you Karen!! I was surprised how many we counted out in the pre-harvest tray!! Thanks so much for taking the time to watch!!! Happy Vermicomposting!!🪱🪱🪱

[@hikingontario]

Thank you for sharing this great footage! Greetings from Canada and wish you have a wonderful day!👍👍👍👍

[@Vermicompost]

Good Morning!! Thank you so much for stopping by to watch my friend!! I hope you are keeping warm!!🪱🪱🪱

[@lispottable]

I so admire that you hand pick out and count your worms. I do not have the patience to do that. But I learn so much from your efforts and your great videos. I’m loving my vermi-hut. It works a whole lot better than my sub pod outside does. Probably because I’m in a colder winter climate. Thank you so much!

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you Lisa!! I find out I don't have the patience for it either when I'm about halfway through exhausted but can't stop😂🤣😂I'm so glad you are finding my videos helpful and your VermiHut is doing so well!! They really are great systems!! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱

[@mikkosgarden]

Great advice to make sure your inoculating trays are full, I made a double mistake on my 360 system. The beauty of having a system, is that we can change things on the fly. Thanks for the reminder as I need to add another tray in a couple of weeks. Have a fantastic day.

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you!! I do love being able to experiment and change things up with this tower system! Looking forward to the 360 update!! Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day as well!!🪱🪱🪱

[@joesoutdoorplaces]

I agree with the comment about counting worms. It requires great patience. It does a great job of describing your success at vermicomposting. It is time for Vermitech to sponsor your videos and make you their spokesman for the Vermihut. Maybe they have already? Great demonstration as usual.

[@Vermicompost]

Thanks Joe!! I appreciate the kind words!! I haven't partnered with or sponsored any products as of now, just enjoying buying what catches my eye and trying my best to have fun with it while telling it like I see it!! I really appreciate your support and early views on my channel at the beginning!!🪱🪱🪱

[@Bird_Backyard]

Useful video sharing friend 🥰🤝🤝

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you my friend!! I appreciate you stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱

[@flowerfolkfarm3553]

Hi wormie friend!!!! 🙌🏼🪱🪱🙌🏼 hope all is well guys! So nice that the wormies got a Halloween treat too 😄🍁🐈‍⬛🎃🤡 epic worm ball tray!!! Yeah it definitely looks like they get less each tray down you go…… crazy amount of worms in that harvest tray!!! 😅 i bet that took forever to count 🤪 ice is such a great idea for retaining moisture 🙌🏼🧊🪱 hope you guys are having the best week!!! 💐💕🙏🌷 still raining and flooded here 😵‍💫xx

[@Vermicompost]

Helllooo Anita!! I have so much pumpkin now...the worms are gonna love it!!! Lots of worm balls to come I'm sure!! It was absolutely exhausting to count that tray!! I thought there might only be about 400 or so, but we kept finding more and more!! I think it took and hour and 20 minutes but we had to take a rest before we kept filming because we were so physically and mentally tired!!🪱🪱🪱 More prayers coming your way, I can't believe how much rain you all have had to endure!! I hope you have a dryer week ahead!! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch and leave wonderful comments!!!🪱🪱🪱

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Good morning, Patrick and Autumn, from Windermere, Florida 👩‍🌾👍🪱💓🪱 Oh my goodness, you guys are King and Queen of the Worm Counters 🪱 🪱🪱

[@Vermicompost]

Good Morning Peggy!! I don't know why we have this compulsion to count the worms...we always regret it halfway into the count😂🤣😂 Thanks so much for taking the time to watch!! We appreciate all your support!!🪱🪱🪱

[@nickthegardener.1120]

Hi Patrick I'd say about 3500 worms total. Awesome video. 🤯👍💚😁🙏🎃

[@Vermicompost]

Thanks so much Nick!! And thanks for the estimate!! There sure were more worms than I thought in the harvest tray I counted!! I appreciate you stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱

[@garfunkel]

Just wanted to say that I really appreciate your videos and I have learned a lot about vermicomposting. I really like the format of the videos as I can see exactly what you are doing while you narrate along. I have been keeping worms for only about 2 months and I have been using a simple tote bin system (68 litre/19 gallon tote) after having some moisture and fruit fly issues due to over feeding (rookie mistake) 😅things are back under control. As I live in a colder climate (Canada) I have been keeping them warm in the basement. I have purchased a second bin as I plan to divide the worms into two bins when I harvest in the spring. Recently purchased a used shredder capable of handling cardboard, and a designated eggshell blender from the thrift store, so I know they will be happy and productive. I’m seeing some cocoons and hope to see baby worms soon. Take care and once again, thank you for all the great tips.

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate the kind words!! It sounds like you have a great system going and are setup for success!! I've made the overfeeding mistake a few times myself!! It's just us trying to love on them a little too much😂 The shredder & eggshell blender are game changers for a worm bin for sure!! I bet you have babies emerging all in your bin as we speak!! Thanks so much again for the kind words and for letting us know about your worm journey so far!!🪱🪱🪱

[@NanasWorms]

You had me fooled that you were going to count every worm in the system, Patrick! 804 is still a big number for tray that was so finished. It shows you that the moisture contains a lot of microbes that are still coming through from the top. I have a couple trays that are close to harvest, but don’t have enough “bulk“ in the bedding, so I decided to delay the harvest and give them a couple more inches each of leaf mold. I’m not in a rush this time of year to harvest and get castings into storage. I wish I had your discipline to run my tower systems so efficiently! Happy Halloween to you both! ~ Sandra

[@Vermicompost]

Can you imagine if that tray has 804 and maybe the 2 trays under it have a combined another 800...and they only account for 20% of the total number of worms, then the tower could have potentially 8K worms!!! Even if the bottom three trays account for 40% of the worms it still has my original estimate of 4000 worm!! Either way I think we all have more worms than we think!!! That is a great idea bulking them up with bedding this time of year!! Let them eat their way to Spring😀 Thanks so much for watching Sandra sorry we didn't count 8000 worms😂🤣😂🪱🪱🪱

[@Maplecook]

Here for it!

[@Vermicompost]

Awesome!! Thanks for stopping by to watch the worms😀I appreciate it!!🪱🪱🪱

[@PlantObsessed]

You seem to have the best method for the tower. Wow =wad of worms new worm acronym. There has to be 6k on the whole thing.

[@Vermicompost]

WOW...I like that!! I could not believe there were 804 in that one tray!!! I think you are right, there has to be at least 6K in this tower!! It makes me think that we are probably all under estimating our worm counts!! Thanks so much for watching!!!🪱🪱🪱

[@AJsGreenTopics]

Great job to the both of you. 🙂

[@Vermicompost]

Thanks AJ!! Poor Autumn got tricked into helping me count worms again!!🪱🪱🪱

[@AJsGreenTopics]

@@Vermicompost Your secret is safe with me. 🤫😅

[@Vermicompost]

😂

[@sandywest4299]

tyvm this was great. i wanted to get a bin like yours here but it seems like i would forget whats whats ha ty again

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you!! It makes more sense when I'm actually doing it than when I'm trying to explain it😂🤣😂 Thanks so much for stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱

[@GLG_YT]

Subscribed😉

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you!!! Very much appreciated!!🪱🪱🪱

[@squaredawayacres1318]

I do the reverse as you, I feed in the bottom tray. The worms move down to it. I have noticed this helps dry out the tray on top that will need to be harvested. Another thing is, it helps with is bin critters. I dont have pot worms or fruit flies.

[@Vermicompost]

Oh wow!! That is very cool!! I need to get my hands on another VermiHut and give it a try!! Thanks for describing how you run your system in reverse!! And of course thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱

[@squaredawayacres1318]

@@Vermicompost cool! another experiment! lol I use totes. I use the black and yellow ones with holes drilled in just the bottoms. I have a three tote system. I love watching what these guys can do.. thanks for sharing.

[@TheDumplingMan]

@@Vermicompost So are you allowed to have another bin now? :D Did the Executive Producer give in to another worm bin? :D

[@Vermicompost]

Sounds like a great setup you created!!🪱🪱🪱

[@Vermicompost]

Not yet...I'm still on a 3 bin diet but...I think she is softening up...I'm hopeful Christmas might be my chance to get a new addition...fingers crossed!!!🪱🪱🪱

[@dulce0403]

Might be a good idea to check the inoculating trays more often and add more dry bedding as you go along rather than having to add to the tray as you move it to the top?

[@Vermicompost]

That is a fantastic idea!!! I can't believe I didn't think to do that??!? That will help out a lot in the future!! It has been a pain rehydrating all the new bedding I had to put in the new top feeding tray. Thanks so much for the suggestion and thanks to stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱

[@GardeningwithBarchuckin]

You guys have so much more patience than me. I think its awesome that you count the worms, I know it can be a task. Great feeding to incise the worms into the new feeding tray. 😁🪱

[@Vermicompost]

To be honest it is a fight between my patience and my curiosity...and halfway through I'm cursing them both!! I've been moistening all that dry bedding with ice over the last couple of days so hopefully they still want to come up!! Thanks so much for stopping by Rick!!🪱🪱🪱

[@GardeningwithBarchuckin]

@@Vermicompost just ordered vermihut

[@jophermans]

Mate that is great to see, as I use a tower like this too. I struggle with an overly wet bin though…and am looking for some tips. I’m pretty sure I over fed them as the bin is wet. Loads of worms though, I’m surprised how big the are. This morning I had to pick thirty of them from the bottom container where the liquid collects. They try to escape I guess. I used to add straw as bedding, but that doesn’t hold moisture well enough. I have a feeling I can go way harder with shredder newspaper. Good idea to set up two bottom trays with shredder paper only. Do you have many worms that end up in the bottom ‘liquid tray’?

[@Vermicompost]

I'm so glad you found my channel...I used to have very similar problems, but the way I rotate my trays now has completely fixed it!! About every 60 days I rotate my trays and explain how I do it, so watching a couple of those videos may help see the progress the bin makes. Here are some of those videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZe4q52oZpVqftk and kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKiVhGZunNZqjNE Having those two dry inoculating trays underneath really helps to absorb all the excess moisture the food gives off as long as I rotate the trays every 60 days. I also use shredded cardboard which helps the bedding material to not mat down. I think if you switch to this way of rotating trays your problems will be solved!! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch!! Good Luck!🪱🪱🪱

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Whad o worms !! Made it back home, let's go !! 662, dammit lol!! I wonder if the there a higher proportion of Blue worms than red wigglers in the oldest tray ? That's crazy in the 46 days tray, super cool !! I think in a future vid, Autum should pick a seasonal feeding in the bin (i mean tray 🤣🍁🍂) , let's go 5432 total, # winning !! Cheers Brother!! Jason and Colleen 🪱🌱🪱

[@Vermicompost]

662 is bot a bad guess, I was thinking about 500 in the harvest tray...totally surprised at how many we got! I'd say the highest population of blue worms was in the top feeding tray. I felt like most of the worms I found in the lower trays were red wigglers. 5432 is a great sequential guess! Thanks for stopping by J&C and welcome home!!🪱🪱🪱

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

@@Vermicompost makes it easy for me to remember 🤣🤣🤣

[@Vermicompost]

@@clivesconundrumgarden 😂

[@A-V]

Those corn cobs that still have all the kernels on them look cool after the worms start working thru it 👍🏻 I saw a couple estimates of six thousand worms in the other comments. I'll estimate 6004 :) T'was kind of you to place those released wormies alongside - rather than on top of - the dry paper shreds

[@Vermicompost]

I think those extra 4 will make all the difference!! I had to rush off in the middle of dinner the other day and missed the corn so the worms are getting the whole thing! Should go over well with them based on all the corn your worms are feasting on lately! All that dry bedding would have been tortuous for them...I've been slowly hydrating it with ice cubes over the last few days. Thank so much for stopping by to watch AV!!🪱🪱🪱

[@A-V]

I usually only find traces of the actual kernels when the worms get cobs that still have the corn on them. Ya can't blame them for ripping quickly into such a tasty treat :)

[@sandyjoao4489]

Patience to do the counting Patrick. Where do u buy it from??? He he

[@Vermicompost]

I have no idea!!! I always think it will be easier and go faster than it actually does😂🤣😂 Thanks so much for stopping by Sandy!!🪱🪱🪱

[@texaspatty4697]

I am terrible at estimating how many worms there are. Someone told me it is not rocket science..😅...but didnt give me a formula... Count how many cups of stuff are in a tray. Then count out one or two cups. Consider that average, then multiply. Do you do anything like that, Patrick?

[@Vermicompost]

That is a great way to estimate your worms!! Sometimes worms bunch up around food or moisture, but that is a great quick estimation!! I've got a couple of ways I estimate worm counts. One is I actually count out the worms from my Tiny Worm Bin like in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f57KY4ipoq1_aaM and I look at what 100, 200, 300 etc. etc. worms look like so I can compare as I'm going through my other bins. I also counted out one of my VermiHut Harvest trays and found 804...which isn't even the most populated tray...the top feeding tray is way more populated. Finally, each time I harvest the Outdoor Worm Bin, I count and weigh the worms and graph each data point. The slope of the line is a great formula to find out how many worms are in a given pile of worms if you know the weight. Here is the formula after seven data points: y=0.0007x - 0.0091 where y is the weight in pounds and x is the number of worms...so 1 pound of worms is approximately 1415 worms or 1000 worms is approximately 0.69 pounds. Not quite rocket science but a little bit of algebra😂🤣😂 Thanks so much for watching Patty and thanks for sharing that other technique!!🪱🪱🪱

[@shaunnichols8170]

I made the mistake of lining my top tray with the cheesecloth that came with the bin. The worms would dive around it and go down but then have to way to get back up into the top bin. I could not figure out why food was taking so long to eat lol.

[@Vermicompost]

I actually called the company about that piece of cloth/plastic and I was surprised someone picked up right away! They said it was kind of a left over from before they invented the plastic white holey barrier between the basin and 1st tray (worm saver tray or M-board is what they call it). So it used to go below the bottom most tray and above the basin...They said I could put it right above the M-board but it is not needed, just kind of an artifact of the older system. Either way I have not tried to use it. It sounds like it did not work well for you either so I'm glad you left a comment to let everyone know not to use it!! I'm glad you figured it out and your worms can move up to eat😀 Thanks so much for watching and sharing your experience!!🪱🪱🪱

[@highlandermss]

Do you freeze the food for a reason? Does it turn to mush and then is it easier for the worms to eat?

[@Vermicompost]

You are exactly right Patty!! Water expands as it freezes, bursting the plant's cell walls helping to degrade the food scraps at the cellular level...turning it into mush so it is easier for them to ingest!! I have found this to be very effective at getting the worms to eat the food scraps faster as demonstrated in these series of videos using raw versus frozen cabbage: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5OQZpRqq5hqh80 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKqpg3-wa6uYhZY and kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmOYl2SIrrunqM0 Thanks so much for the great question and thanks for watching!!🪱🪱🪱

[@jomara68]

Do you thaw it before feeding or put in frozen?

[@Vermicompost]

I let it thaw out for a little bit while I am setting up, this way it is not too frozen when I put it in, but it also is not completely thawed out to the point that the moisture has leaked out of it. I always put a little bit of bedding down so I'm not putting it directly on the worms, but they also can sense the temperature and move away. If you put it in completely frozen it is not a problem. Hope this helps!!

[@melodylamour6123]

Help me understand. I've read many basic set-up of these worm bins and the dos and don't concerning what to feed the worms. No onion or garlic. No citrus or peel, no pineapple or tomatoes. Even no fresh manure. And yet.... I've watched you and many others feed those foods just fine with apparently no issues with acidity. I am still unclear about exactly what is "fast" or "slow" food. I'm sure that I can figure it out. I appreciate your advice.

[@Vermicompost]

Great questions!! Fast food is food that the worms will consume fast...Lettuce, watermelon, pumpkin...foods that contain a lot of water and are not real dense. Slow foods take worms longer to eat, apples, banana peels, foods that are more dense and contain less water generally...some foods need to be broken down more by microbes or bin critters before the worms can eat them...these tend to make the foods last longer in a worm bin. Worms will eat just about anything that was once alive...I think some of the W-Urban Legends out there about what not to feed your worm bin is folks trying to help people steer clear of over feeding a smelly food to their bin, then folks repeating what they hear without trying it for themselves. You can feed worms anything in moderation and they will eat it. But if you feed a lot of a slow food like onion, which also smells when it decomposes...then the worm bin will smell atrocious because the worms can't get to it quick enough. If you feed just a little piece, the worms will eat it up and the onion will never have a chance to be stinky. I think people say no citrus, pineapple or tomatoes because they fear they are too acidic, but again in moderation the worms will consume it and it will not affect the acidity of the bin. Worm bins a very forgiving and do not have an odor if they are not overfeed or over moist. I hope this helps!! I think you are really going to enjoy vermicomposting!!! Thanks so much for the great question and thanks for dropping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱

[@GLG_YT]

Is that the vermhut plus? I put my second tray on today

[@Vermicompost]

Yes, it is the VermiHut Plus (5 tray). It has been so much fun to run!! The second tray is a big event...it means you are doing things right & the worms are going to realize they have more room and they will absolutely explode in population!! I always feel a sense of accomplishment every time I add another tray!! Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and tell us about your VermiHut!!🪱🪱🪱

[@Vermicompost]

Oh my gosh!!!! I just watched all three of your worm videos and the latest one on what you do with your egg shells!!! Your videos are awesome!! I am so impressed with your worm farming skills and knowledge and you are a middle schooler!! Mind blown!! I had the same question about what that rolled up fabric things was that came with the VermiHut. I ended up calling the company and they said it is what they used to use before they came up with the M-board or white plastic thing with all the holes that goes between the basin and bottom tray. I guess before the M-Board was invented that was the only barrier between the basin and the bottom tray to try to keep the worms from getting down there. I'm looking forward to watching more of your worm & garden videos!!🪱🪱🪱 By the way did you create a worm bin out of a cheese ball container??? That is genius!!!

[@GLG_YT]

@@Vermicompost really that’s so cool and I don’t know why I didn’t subscribe before. I got my vermihut plus last winter

[@GLG_YT]

@@Vermicompost oh and my knowledge comes from people like you 🙂

[@GLG_YT]

@@Vermicompost ya Cheese balls 😂

[@michaelbessette8685]

What do say are the "fastest foods"?

[@Vermicompost]

For my bins, previously frozen lettuce & lettuce stalks are the fastest foods!! Gone within 3-4 days tops!! Hope this helps!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!🪱🪱🪱

[@annsalty5615]

You love counting worms! 😂🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱 Fun! I would estimate your Vermihut has close to 6000 or more. Looks great! With mine am now on a rotate schedule once a month. Only a little over 700 red wiggler worms have been put into it, but my guess is well over 1000 now in 3 months. And they are laying eggs like crazy! Hoping for population explosion by Spring.

[@Vermicompost]

I don't know why I am drawn to counting the worms😂🤣😂Poor Autumn gets suckered into it as well and then we both instantly regret it!! I think 6K is a great estimate!! I was really amazed how much were in the pre-harvest tray, making me believe the top feeding tray has way more than I thought!! Your population explosion is gonna get here before Christmas!!! In the spring you are going to have so much castings for seed starting and making worm casting tea!! That reminds me, I need to make a video on how I make worm casting tea and how I use it. Thanks so much for watching Ann!!🪱🪱🪱

[@annsalty5615]

@@Vermicompost Looking forward to your worm tea demo! It would be interesting to figure the full capacity of worms the Vermihut can sustain. I am attempting to work it as a five tray system, using your method of two as inoculating trays. My worms are getting fat, so taking up more space now! 😂 🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

[@Vermicompost]

@@annsalty5615 5 trays would be awesome!! Then I guess you could harvest every 30-45 days! Definitely let us know how it goes when you get up to 5 and harvesting!! Good to hear your worms are fattening up!!

[@annsalty5615]

@@Vermicompost Just something new. I decided to get another Vermihut, since still on sale, to hold harvested trays and put a bait tray on it 🙂. Plus I can use the extra trays for so many other things! This will save me oodles of time picking out worms and cocoons, is my justification. 🪱🪱🪱🪱

[@Vermicompost]

That's awesome!!