How to Harvest Worm Castings

[@daroldw4606]

Thanks for putting in all the time for the "worm" videos. I do appreciate it!

[@edithmaciver680]

After 10 years of worming, I found the easiest way to get them to migrate or cluster is they love. Love love cantaloupe, melon, squash and pumpkin. Depending on the time of year I use the cap end of a eaten melon or cut a pumpkin or a squash in half. I put the capped end cut side down and leave them for a week. They will all be feasting underneath and you just scoop them up. It works grate to encourage migration or get the stragglers after the migrates are removed.

[@sandieblack4860]

Had my "worm farm" for 15 plus years in this house and for several years before that in my old house. For those people who have never kept worms I want to say, they are fascinating little creatures. I have 8 worm bins right now and would have more but ran out of space to keep them . I have set some of my friends up with their own worm bins and even my grandchildren have had some. My one friend keeps hers in a bucket under a chair in the corner of her kitchen. Her sister comes to visit her and stays over regularly and it was months before my friend told her about her "worm farm" haha.. so much for worms stinking lol. I am happy to see you handling your worms without gloves, as do I, however, I have heard the oils from your skin can hurt the worms have you ever heard that? Anyway, Happy worm farming...take care and stay safe, Sandie from Ontario Canada.

[@GardenerScott]

I've heard that skin oil can harm them and dry hands can harm them, but am not sure either is that bad. I try to be gentle, but I figure they usually encounter much worse things crawling through soil than a little contact with skin.

[@bradymcphail9690]

I’ve said it many times that you teach in a way that it gets into my memory and stays. With my head injury it’s hard for me to retain recent memory, some how you help me retain what I learn from your videos. I finally get Vermicomposting after researching for over a year, & trying to raise my worms the best I could for 2 1/2 months. It’s a great feeling when the light goes on again. Thank you

[@surfcitybusybee]

I feel the same.e way. Scott makes it so easy to actually learn, and retain information. I'm sorry about your brain injury. Hopefully raising worms is therapeutic for you, as it has been for me. I find it very relaxing to tend to my worms after a long busy day at work.

[@Mary95191]

I thought it was all about enticing the worms to come into the dirt and then put the dirt in the garden. But it’s all about getting the worm castings in the garden. Thank you again!

[@1DrBar]

The worm whisperer. I like how you treat your worms in a gentle, thoughtful manner.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks.

[@philipgephardt6578]

I’ve been raising worms for 15 years, have a bunch of worm bins, and many thousands of worms. I’ll be honest, I used to focus on migration, but for the last 12 years or so, I don’t both separating the worms, I just allow the worms to stay on the castings and put them in my garden. Now my garden has red wrigglers all over the place as well as my bins.

[@JP-vq6ku]

Great tip for making holes in the container!

[@nguonchan273]

Can wait to see how you used the casting.

[@jamestyrer6067]

ANOTHER EXCELLENT VIDEO. ENJOY ALL OF YOUR VIDEOS. 👍

[@plantsoverpills1643]

Bit the bullet and took a day to separate the worms from the castings by hand. Oddly enough it was relaxing and offered me insight to the world of composting worms. Being a newbie at this, I set the castings aside for a time. When I decided to use them, I found more worms and just added them to my bin. It’s quite the process and the resulting castings are pure gold. As other viewers have commented; looking forward to see how you use your castings.....👀🦻🏻

[@surfcitybusybee]

I find it very relaxing to tend to my worms as well. They're so fascinating!

[@Abundantman777]

TY Scott for contributing to making me a more efficient gardener

[@PBarrPrince]

Always a thumbs up for you! I want to start a work farm soon. I'm planting bulbs at the moment and I'm behind. Lol. I always feel behind when I'm gardening lately. It seems like fall is busier than spring! You've really helped me have the tools to take on more. I approach my soil so differently now! I'm beginning to be more confident in positive outcomes because I'm starting with improved soil. Composting is magic to me. A little effort and viola! Thank you for continuing to learn and teach. I watch videos about gardening with greater discrimination. I'm beginning to skip most because they're so superficial, or even wrong. About to get back out to my bulbs. I enjoyed my break watching you teach about vermicomposting. Actually, my great uncle raised worms for his bait shop. I remember the huge cement worm beds. I was fascinated and curious. Great memory! Can't wait to start my own with beds now. I'm sure I'll be asking questions soon! Take care and thank you again.

[@rxosu7]

This looks perfect. The only time I harvested castings, I strained the worms out using hardware cloth. Very messy and time consuming. Thanks for this video. I will do mine tomorrow

[@robertshorthill4153]

Okay, my friend, I get it. All it takes is a bit of time. Something we all have, when one is never needing to rush. This answers my separation questions. Thank you very much. This could be a way to pass a long bleak winter here in Montana -- farm them little wormy guys !!

[@davidrichard5220]

I have just discovered your videos a few weeks ago and really enjoy them. This one reminded me of my uncle that raised and sold worms to fishermen. He used a similar method with the hardware cloth to separate the worms for the castings. He made two different types of screens. The first screen was a 2x4 frame, 3' x3', with 1/2" hardware cloth stapled to the bottom of the frame. The other screen was a 2x2 frame, 3'x3', with window screen stapled to the bottom of the frame. He had a 3'W x 3'L x 1'D wooden box that he placed 4 inches of peat moss in the bottom of. He placed the hardware cloth screen over the box. He would then filled the frame half way full, with a mixture of the castings and worms and place on that top of the box. He then would place the window screen frame, screen side up, on top of the hardware cloth screen. He placed a brick on each corner of the top frame, weighing it down, to prevent the worms from crawling out. The box and frames were placed in a sunny area. The worms would crawl to the bottom of the hardware cloth screen and fall into the peat moss in the box. After and hour he would check the screen, and the majority of the time, all the worms had fallen into the box. He would then put 25 worms and peat moss into containers with vented lids, and sell them to fishermen or bait shops. This was a very fast and easy method of separating the worms. Maybe it is a method you may want to try?

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, David. I've seen similar methods and considered a system like that, but opted to keep it simple. Maybe I'll build something like that when I have two bins to separate.

[@carole6779]

@David Richard, thanks so much for sharing your uncle's wisdom. I have multiple bins. Combined with Gardener Scott's suggestions, I think this approach will finally help me get my worms "wrangled" with little or no damage to the herd. 😊👍

[@ImGinaMarie]

Wow what an awesome method of separating them! Probably easier on the worms and more time spent doing something else than screening worms. I live in a major lake area and only the gas station has nightcrawlers . This could be a great way for me to earn some extra $$ if everyone wasn't interested in minnows so much as most people fish for Crappe here. Should I learn to raise minnows?? Hmm 🤔🐟🐟🐛

[@kmiller6002]

OMGOODNESS I'm in LOVE with your channel Gardener Scott ☺️😁

[@michaelougarezos8963]

again very good Scott thnx

[@lesleyvanzyl4333]

I've recently started a small bin of worms. Your videos make me understand so much more. A big thank you from S Africa

[@Scoutdogs]

I don't know if anyone mentioned it since I didn't read all the comments, but a "step down" bit is fantastic for making fast clean holes in all sorts of plastic!

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

Worms can reconsume castings multiple times. I start the migration method from one end to the other final area at a out 4 months. At 5 months i begin to remove castings from farthest from feeding area. The worms are removed manually..usually about 1,000 for every 3-4 inches of casting removal. They go into a holding bin and worms as they hatch and grow larger are manually removed about every month till i need these castings. I make sure they remain damp and sometimes arn't sold or used by me for up to 7 months. The amount of castings looks smaller every month as the worms remaining or hatching are now reconsuming the castings. When i remove 2nd or 3 time from bin i start adding more carbon while feeding always pushing to feeding zone toward other end and feeding at the " feeding end" .basically this bin is never completely emptied..i refer to it as conveyer feeding.

[@heidiclark6612]

Thank You for the great info. I set up a worm bin week ago. Cannot wait until I can harvest some castings.

[@efoster11]

Thank you for posting the video and sharing your creativity and experience. I love the heating screwdriver method to poke holes in plastic containers; the only bad thing about it is inhaling a burnt plastic. I recommend doing it with the vented hood on, the hood should be not recirculating air within the house, but exhausting it outside. the other option is to use a soldering iron outside. As for a worm separation, I have a worm factory and separating them is still a tedious timely process, even after major migration of worms in the upper trays. I think I will let the gravity use the work by applying mesh over the large bin and spreading the leftover casting. I will put some food scrap mixture on the bottom of the bin, which should encourage worms to sift down on their own, or will use the light to drive them down. I think if I leave the casting on a mesh for about 1/2 to an hour the worms will move down and casting will not dry out. I will be separating worms in a couple of weeks. Overall I found that extracting worms is a major choir, but using fresh casting produce incredible results.

[@ndeepowder]

I want to grow tomatoes, next thing i know gardener Scott has me raising legions of worms...

[@Mary95191]

Lol!

[@marygrott8095]

So true!

[@DameObserver108]

sounds perfect!

[@surfcitybusybee]

Haha! Same here! We're officially worm weirdos. 😁

[@quynhang8532]

Your videos are amazing. I'm interested in raising farm worm to make better soil after several fail to grow plants. There're little information about this topic ( if i search in my language ), i was still confused after watching some english videos and i finally found yours. It's defenitely cover everything, very detailed and full of information. Thank you so much for extremely helpful videos

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you!

[@salmon8389]

I am loving this series of videos. I have two farms that have been "growing" since last December. Guess I should be thinking of doing some harvesting.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. It may be close to harvest time.

[@NONAMESLEFTNONE]

this series is great!

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

Been a worm farmer for about 30 years. Watch A V wormery on you tube. Dont do it exactly as he does but the best worm farm i have found. P.s. i have tried about every system and he does it more or less the same way i have done for last 10 years.

[@sandyg3772]

Or, you can use the light method, but cover the new bedding with a piece of cardboard so they will move to it to get away from the light.

[@AJsGreenTopics]

This is a great video. I really enjoy having my worm bins. Take care. 😎

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, AJ!

[@patriciarussell8450]

Soldering gun/or wood burning tool will melt holes in the container very quickly, just do this outside so you don't breathe the melting plastic. My customers are very happy when they see different ways in making the holes without using a drill. Melting smooth holes is much better than any other method I've tried. Garner Scott, thanks for your great videos.💩

[@stuartdoran7626]

soldering iron also works well for putting holes in plastic. I use it for putting drainage holes in plastic solo cups.

[@jeffcampbell479]

Funny how you mentioned that you just started this project about 4 months ago! I am in the midst (slow but surely) getting my supplies around to make me a triple decker worm bed myself ! I figured this is another thing to keep me occupied during the winter months 😊 During the warmer months from spring til almost winter, I have worms galore within my compost anyway, so making more worm castings during the cold winter months is definitely an added bonus come next spring! 😉👍❤️

[@GardenerScott]

That's my strategy too. It's a great winter activity.

[@reverrage]

Thank you. Ur info was easy to understand & showing how to do it also helped ... I feel like I'm on the right track & have more options now on getting most of the juveniles & adults out then I can pik out the babies with their nursery material & the eggs! Yay !

[@expiringplanet]

A soldering iron makes nice smooth holes in the plastic bucket

[@natureboy6410]

Hey Scott, thanks for the info. ;-) A little tip, African nightcrawlers, unlike their American or Canadian cousins, do very well in a regular worm bin, just as you've done for your reds. The difference is, Africans will eat almost 3 times more, breed 3 times as fast, are a lot more tolerant of higher and lower temps, they tend to breed faster in warmer temps making them a good choice for indoor worm bins, they can and will borrow deeper if needed making them a good addition to most compost piles and established garden beds. Note, in bins, they can be very good escape artists. If they get into other worm bins with a different type of worm in it, it won't take the Africans very long to take it over. Their survivors. ;-)

[@GardenerScott]

Good information. Thanks. I considered getting some African nightcrawlers but determined I don't produce enough kitchen waste to keep them happy.

[@stevefromthegarden1135]

I started my 1st worm bin in Nov but haven't harvested anything yet and was thinking about how to go about it. So...very timely advice.

[@GardenerScott]

So glad to help. 👍

[@joeshmoe7789]

I think you did what I did when I first started, got anxious to harvest. I've found the migration process takes at least 3 months. When I see the bedding seems to be mostly castings, I stop feeding for about 3 weeks so they can finish the food you can't see. Don't worry, they can live off their castings for a long time. Then, depending on how I want to separate the worms from the castings, I feed the migration points with soft pumpkin, melon or banana. Your pulverized food is good, too. I can usually remove handfuls of worms, with this new food, every week to 10 days and put them in another bin which has fresh bedding and food waiting for them. Then I add more of the soft food and wait another week or so. Always feed the same migration point. Remember, it takes a few days for the new food to decompose, no need to add fresh bedding. Repeat this process for 2-3 months. Very little work and very easy. Just scoop handfuls out or empty the cup inside. I run my bins dryer and sift with 1/4" screen. I put a piece of banana at the top of the bucket I store my castings. No Bedding. I pull it out every 3 weeks loaded with baby worms. Easy to do every month while in storage. Good time to check and add moisture to the castings as they need to breath which can cause them to dry out.

[@GardenerScott]

You're right. I wanted to release a video and did it sooner than needed. I'm at the three-month point of migration for my next harvest and the castings are just about ready. Thanks for the info. I'll try the banana idea.

[@joeshmoe7789]

@@GardenerScott I'd love to know how you make out. I just harvested and most of my castings won't be needed until May, so now I'll store them in vented containers with a 3" cut banana at the top center. I'll spray the castings with water if needed when I remove and replace the banana. You're the first one KZbin that said to continue to draw worms after harvesting. It's impossible to remove all tiny, baby worms and cocoons during initial harvest. But if all the mature ones are removed, the babies and newly hatched can be removed before they grow enough to reproduce.

[@pamelahughesalemap8054]

Brilliant, I’ve gone to the expense of buying a wormer and it doesn’t give a quarter of the information you have on your video. My wormer has a tap in the bottom for draining off liquid and the worms migrate to the next layer as you build the stack. I was worrying that the worms weren’t eating enough but I haven’t put enough paper and cardboard in. I’ve sprayed the top layer with water when it looked too dry. But now I know what to do so thankyou.

[@ericclaeyborn3600]

I'm a good worm hunter, and will catch worms late at night, usually after a rain fall, and catch dozens. I've used them mostly for fishing in the past, but I can throw them into my raised beds, too.

[@leengau896]

I would compost in place, directly in the ground. That way I don’t have to handle the earthworms. They leave the worm casting where they find food in the soil area. And when it comes to planting, transplant directly into where the composted scraps were turned by earthworms.

[@elizabethblane201]

Your way is definitely easier, but when I used to do this I would get all kinds of rats, raccoons, possums, and skunks digging up my scraps. I've seen a modified version of your idea where people will sink a 5-gallon bucket, with lots of half-inch holes drilled into the sides and the bottom, into their garden with only the top 4-5 inches above the soil. They then just dump their scraps into the bucket and allow the worms to come and go as they please. The bucket and its tightly-fitting lid prevent creatures from getting into it.

[@hal7ter]

OK - this guy is raising compost worms to harvest the castings. You have earthworms going and thanks for telling us how you do it because I don't think that I want to be bothered with worms all winter long.

[@garrycollins4891]

I have a farm made by following all the instructions in your first worm video. I am interested in putting a new tub, with holes in the bottom, in to the existing tub in contact with the castings and build a new farm in the upper bed. Would the worms migrate up to the new tub? The castings in the new tub could be moved back to the original tub after removing the castings and any worms that did not make the move. I know it would take a while but there would be little stress on the worms and very little effort apart from the usual farm maintenance. Greatly enjoying the videos!

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. That is a valid method of migrating the worms to new bedding. It will take awhile and not all the worms will move, but with enough holes you can expect the new bin to be populated.

[@CAMDEC1217]

Thanks Scott, great info. I have 4 inground worm bins and each spring I clean them out, put worms and new bedding and food back in. I now have a 5 gallon bucket full of worm castings. How do I maintain them for use throughout my season? Do I need holes in the bucket? Is a tight lid ok? How do I use this in my garden and how much is ok to add to my plants at one time? Not sure if the stuff is too strong??? Thanks again. Love your channel

[@GardenerScott]

I would have some holes for air. One of the problems is that the castings can smell if in an airtight container. Kept a bit moist, they will last months, but it's okay if they dry out.

[@TheWisendorf]

Hey Scott can you use those castings to start a worm bed? or do you need to buy worms to do it?? Love your show. I always give you a thumbs up even when I do not have time to listen to it all.

[@GardenerScott]

You don't use castings to start a worm bed. You'll need the worms with bedding and food. Thanks.

[@mohannadmalik5373]

great video I appreciate it Scott 👍

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks!

[@robaldridge6505]

good vid, thanks Scott

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Rob.

[@CALIFORNIA650.]

Awesome so kind

[@michellecollins4254]

Gardener Scott, I’m searching your website for the next video you mentioned regarding how you use your castings. Is it available? Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us! -Michelle

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks for asking, Michelle. It is rescheduled past the point I originally intended. I'm shooting some of it now as I use castings to make potting soil. I hope to release it next month.

[@fartx211]

Perhaps one way to separate them would be to take the whole casting+worm mixture out of the container, put the new bedding and food at the bottom, put the worms back on top, then use the light method. The worms would then be driven by both food at light, then after a week, just scoop the top layer off. It would probably help to have a wide and shallow worm farm Just a few thoughts

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. Yes, that can work.

[@mazheruddinmohammed4237]

Nice video

[@davidjimenezlopez]

Instead of heating a screw driver or a big nail, a soldering iron would work wonders. I am not sure how much can it set you back, but here in Costa Rica I bought a cheap one for the equivalent of about $6.

[@bmt973]

Greetings Scott. Thanks for the video. Kindly advise how many worms are you using in your bin? Are you using red wigglers? I introduced redworms in my compost last October. I checked my compost the other day, the worm population has exploded. I started with maybe 10. The compost is looking too good, unbelievable. Those worms are putting in a shift. What's great is I didn't buy them. I just collected them. Red wigglers are not common is South Africa and are just pricey. Now I dread the separation period...

[@GardenerScott]

I started with 1,000 Red Wrigglers. When worms find a nice location with good food, they'll increase their population dramatically.

[@earlshine453]

I suspect a lot of commercial available compost is produced by methods looking like the highspeed 18-days Berkeley composting method, After cooling down it's ready to ship. Last stage of ripening where the worms are munching their way during months is missing. The bulky stuff will not contain worm castings, and the locked in fertility will need contact with soil (and worms) in order to make it available. I prefer my slow composting method, one turn in fall, lots of worms. I give them the opportunity to migrate to the new heap, but many don't. In spring, when I harvest and sift the compost gradually, I only process the dry outer layer, causing the worms to migrate inwards and towards the new compost heap. The chunky bits go into the new compost heap and after processing the outer layer I rake it up to enhance the drying out and stimulate the worms to move. It ends with scooping up the last cubic foot and putting it ontop of the new heap (around 50 percent is worms that did not migrate). I end up with around a cubic yard of sifted compost, with (I suspect) a lot of worm castings. Disadvantages of this slow, mostly cold, method: don't add seedheads to the compost heap and take the occasionnally sprouting weed seeds (mostly tomato) for granted. I wonder, how many months do you give your compost heaps the worms workout? Stay safe, best wishes, greetings from Holland.

[@GardenerScott]

That sounds like a good, easy system. I think the quantity of worms will determine how long to do it. A lot of worms can do it quickly.

[@krishiBondhu]

sir love from Bangladesh

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you!

[@dawnlark629]

couple questions also love the video..: 1. Can i use topsoil as bedding ( i am using European Nightcrawlers for fishing) I am asking this because if i want to harvest castings for money, i cant really tell because the topsoil is already black... Any way to differ the castings form the topsoil?\ 2. If you want to harvest the castings, how do you separate the worm eggs so that you have more worms in the end. that was all... anyway love the channel and happy gardening!

[@GardenerScott]

Typically topsoil is not used as bedding, partly due to the reason you point out. When bedding is organic, like paper, cardboard, or sawdust, it is eaten and becomes castings. You can use a sieve to separate eggs and castings or pick them out by hand.

[@dawnlark629]

@@GardenerScott ok thanks! what size sieve if you know to seperate eggs

[@nikospapson9412]

Good Job, great video! Did you use a paper shredder for the newspaper?

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks! I did use a paper shredder.

[@dneeceann]

I usually let the castings dry out a bit and the worms will move towards the moisture in the new bedding.

[@valentinobaptista]

How much of that newspaper ink will contaminate the soil and the plants? It’s an old discussion amongst worm amateurs, but somehow it doesn’t feel a good move for me. Instead I rather go with sawdust, grass or leafs. Have you thought about the ink before (sorry if the discussion is already in the comments). Love the channel. Gold content. Thank you for that.

[@GardenerScott]

Most newspaper ink is now made from soy. I avoid magazines because because some of that ink may have metals in it, but my newspaper doesn't pose problems.

[@ImGinaMarie]

Perfect!!! I take it that the leachate I hear others talk about is just mixed in with the castings and isn't an issue that should drained off?? Do you have a video that goes over that aspect? Thanks Scott

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. I discuss leachate in one of my other worm videos. I try to avoid getting my bin so wet that leachate forms. It often smells bad and does the worms no good.

[@ImGinaMarie]

@@GardenerScott Oh, ok I thought leachate was inevitable and a by-product of the castings/foods/breakdowns of the environment..Now I know better, thank you!! I think I watched all 3 of your worm videos but I'll look for more!

[@austinstrabala9108]

Hey Gardener Scott, I have been watching a lot of your videos recently and really appreciate them. I have a question that combines these worm videos with your compost videos, and am unsure if it has been answered already. Anyway, what would stop someone from just putting red wigglers into their composting bins? Would they die, or just escape? I think I understand that the concentration of castings would not be as high, but would it be beneficial or detrimental in any way? thanks!

[@GardenerScott]

The red wrigglers can be added to compost, but a very hot pile will kill them and freezing weather will kill them. They don't burrow deep like other worms.

[@TheChelleyBear]

Worms are good for your garden. They indicate healthy soil. If this is true, I'm wondering why all the time is taken to separate them from the castings. Wouldn't it be beneficial to allow some into the garden beds? (Obviously, if my information is correct in the first place, haha.)

[@GardenerScott]

The worms that do this kind of decomposing are different than most earthworms in the garden. It's okay if some find their way outside, but they won't survive the cold temperatures many of us have in winter.

[@TheChelleyBear]

@@GardenerScott Thank you very much. You're officially my favorite gardening mentor. I very much appreciate the reply!

[@mysticmagnolia]

I got my worms in the mail today!

[@GardenerScott]

Good for you! Have fun with them.

[@mysticmagnolia]

Thank you!

[@sandyg3772]

Where did you get your worms from?

[@Veronica-nq9kr]

Do you ever need to add works to your garden beds?

[@GardenerScott]

Not normally. As long as your soil has a lot of organic matter in it, worms will find your beds. In poor soil areas, adding worms might hasten the process.

[@milobreak]

Great Video! Thank you so much. I was wondering do you have another method which you could harvest the worm compost tea at the bottom of bin? or otherwise, what's the recipe to make worm tea from compost? My concern is: I would love to water my indoor plant with the tea and just in case if little worms and cacoons are left in the casting which I miss during harvest, I don't want to have tiny worms hatched and hanging in my indoor plant pots. Thank you :)

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. I try to keep my worm bin from getting saturated to the point where liquid builds up. That liquid often smells due to anaerobic bacteria and soil improves with aerobic bacteria. So I don't have another method to collect it.

[@hal7ter]

@@GardenerScott In one of these videos the guy put a spout on the bottom bin and put the stacked bins up on bricks....

[@2triangles]

Very helpful, as always! Thank you! Quick question. If I’m going to use the castings right away, should I still sift? What’s the harm if small worms/eggs end up in the garden bed?

[@GardenerScott]

You don't need to sift. There's no harm if worms and eggs end up in beds. The worms will probably die if you have cold winters, but they can do their magic in your soil until then.

[@2triangles]

Gardener Scott Thanks so much for replying! And thanks again for a great channel. I’ve loved every video. Please keep it up. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@christyselser367]

Would it be ok to add the worm castings along with the cocoons and possible tiny worms into my raised bed? I don't understand if the purpose of separating them further is to create a larger worm farm or to keep them out of the beds.

[@GardenerScott]

It is okay. These worms don't survive in weather extremes and will die if it's too hot or too cold.

[@kimberlygardner8392]

So I have 1 more questions so if you don't need the casting for anything like a garden, how can you corporate the casting in your worm bin,will the worms eat the casting or can you use it to add it to your bedding somehow. What would you do with it if you didn't need it for anything.Thanks

[@GardenerScott]

The castings really aren't food because it is like manure. I bet you can find a gardener friend who would love it.

[@gailwallace3695]

Hopefully no-one will take offense... but we live on a lake. Can red wrigglers be used for fishing? Would help convince my husband why this idea may be benefishial to him as well. Love your videos!

[@GardenerScott]

Yes they can, but they're smaller than many fishing worms.

[@gailwallace3695]

Gardener Scott thanks for the quick reply!!! Once again you amaze me! Has to be tough keeping up with all the questions!!! I know theses worms are smaller but might save a run to the bait store when the littles come visit and may also teach them a little about worms and compost.

[@michelemarble6799]

Is it ok if the castings dry out before they are used in the garden in spring.

[@GardenerScott]

Yes it is. Most of the castings you can buy are dry.

[@robertkennedy4541]

Got a question about the light method. Why not use that to get down to the last inch or so like you said, then dump that inch into a separate container for a minute, set the tub up with new bedding, then scatter that inch on top of it. Shouldn't they move from the old down into the new in a day or so if you leave it open? Then you pick off the castings from the top with no worms in it, right?

[@GardenerScott]

Yes, you're right. I've started using a similar method and it works well

[@s.brunt-mcallister9143]

Any suggestion on how to decrease the smell coming from a worm farm?

[@GardenerScott]

Decrease the water. If it smells it is too wet.

[@lloydpuffenbarger1914]

Sir, thanks and i find your videos very informative and my question is if i wanted to stay small like a 2 bin operation, at some point do i need to reduce the wigglers population? and if so what is best method for that? my 9 year old and i just getting started so you are passing it on bud.

[@GardenerScott]

Yes, you would probably want to reduce the population at some point. You can release them outside. They won't survive cold winters, but they can help soil during warm weather. I'm glad your 9 year old is interested!

[@DameObserver108]

how about giving them away?

[@judycole7093]

Can I use my garden trimmings in my worm bin? Trimmings from pruning tomatoes, etc. also want to use my annuals at the end of the season.

[@GardenerScott]

Yes you can. If you cut or pulverize the material it is better for the worms, but any unsprayed organic material can be good food.

[@gavan1988]

Good morning I am very newI am just starting my worm bin my question can I use mushrooms as food. I bought some to use but for got them in the fridge.

[@GardenerScott]

Yes, you can use them.

[@Mama_bird_to_all]

When you put the egg shells in at the beginning and for the migration, did you do anything to clean them first (like bake the shells?) or put them right in the food processor?

[@GardenerScott]

I save my eggshells on a windowsill so the sun bakes them and then process them when totally dry.

[@phylvalen9991]

I was thinking I would place the mesh over a large shallow container with fresh bedding/food touching the mesh from below, place the castings on top in an even layer to allow the worms to migrate to the lower level through the mesh then pick through the top remaining castings for the eggs. Sort of a multi tiered bin. Do you think that would work?

[@GardenerScott]

Yes, that will work. And is easy to do.

[@melodyandvernonkinzer8805]

Help! I've watched all your vids on worm beds and my worms seem to be doing great at about 4 weeks in BUT today when I went to feed them I noticed gnats in there. What do I do???

[@GardenerScott]

The gnats won't cause any problems with the worms. If you allow the surface of the worm bed to dry they should decrease.

[@melodyandvernonkinzer8805]

@@GardenerScott thank you so much for the quick reply

[@stormhawk31]

Scott, can you discuss the pros and cons of nightcrawlers? In other words, why you use red wigglers over nightcrawlers?

[@GardenerScott]

I have a video planned to talk about earthworms. Basically, night crawlers burrow deep and digest the organic matter in soil. Red wrigglers only live in the top few inches and will eat the organic matter directly.

[@stormhawk31]

@@GardenerScott Thank you for the quick response. Considering what you've said, would it be beneficial to keep red wrigglers and nightcrawlers together in a system, using the wrigglers to digest the material at the top, and the nightcrawlers as "clean up crew" at the bottom, to make sure everything gets completely broken down? Also, would it be possible to do this system in my raised beds? In other words, filling my beds mostly with wood chips, topping that with good soil, compost, and more chips for mulch, then putting the worms in and letting them to their work. That way, I don't have to harvest the castings; they just stay right where the worms leave them and nourish my plants. Would that work?

[@GardenerScott]

@@stormhawk31 Nightcrawlers are really not appropriate for a closed system. It's like keeping a wild bronco in your bedroom. They can work together in a raised bed but the red wrigglers won't survive cold temperatures.

[@stormhawk31]

@@GardenerScott Thank you sir

[@andrewreaney]

One option would be to use plastic boxes that you can stack. Make an access hole in the bottom of the top box.

[@idahohoosier8989]

Morning Gardner Scott. HELP, PLEASE. I may have to give up my worms. We are in our 3rd week of 100°+. No cool place to keep them. Garage gets too hot and no big shade trees. I took ice bags and out some on top and bottom. Its so hot the uce was melted in 60 mins. Brought them in the house but the dirt smell wasn't very appealing. Any thoughts or should I just dump yhem in yhe garden? Thank you

[@GardenerScott]

Try putting them in a shady spot outside. Some may die from the heat but enough should survive to keep going.

[@waynelunsford5483]

Is it beneficial to add dried out castings to planting soil? Sometimes I don’t use mine right away and they dry out. Also do the castings need air?

[@GardenerScott]

You can add dry castings. they have nutrients in them. They don't need air as an amendment.

[@rmtsfi2]

I use shredded newspaper in my bin, but as I now read my news online, I do not get a newspaper any more and have to get friends to donate theirs to me. I have lots of shredded copy paper in my office. I have read where some have used it and where some say leave it alone because they say it's bleached paper and should not be used. What is your thought on using the shredded copy paper? I have a huge supply of it available.

[@GardenerScott]

I use shredded copy paper too. If you know the paper is treated you might want to avoid it, but I haven't noticed any issues with basic paper.

[@royalwoolsey2443]

in a raised bed, mainly for peppers and tomatoes, is pearlite or vermiculite better. Also what percentage to soil? I live in Missouri, Zone 6.

[@GardenerScott]

Between the two, I prefer vermiculite, but overall I prefer compost. I add 2-3 inches of compost each year.

[@JLJohnson]

Howdy. I started two sealed bins like yours in October or so. I find moisture to be a real problem and keep adding dry bedding to combat it. How are you mitigating this problem? I see your purée is quite wet, assume you’ve got the same problem

[@GardenerScott]

Like you, I add dry bedding. I also keep the top off for hours to dry it out, if needed. If it's staying wet, the next batch of food is not as wet and I add more dry bedding.

[@pekindown]

Containmaniated newspaper. With all the chemicals in the print and paper. Use wood chips from tree trimmers or tree cutter. And then mix your vegetable and coffee grinds compost will be the best natural way.

[@miamited69]

If there are some worms in there when you use it, won't they help the soil and plants in the bed or container?

[@GardenerScott]

Yes. I don't worry too much about cocoons and worms that I miss. They won't survive my cold winters, but will help the beds during warm months.

[@karenlatham4053]

I use the container with the holes in it method. Except for mine is a really large container. It's a big coffee creamer container from Sam's lol. My worm tubs are much larger than yours. It really works great.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks for the info.

[@robertadunaway7030]

What were the moving white dots in the worm castings, no bigger than a pin head?

[@GardenerScott]

They were soil mites that came in on some leaves I fed the worms. They don't harm them.

[@juligrlee556]

Have you haver tried unbleached paper products like shredded or layered cardboard?

[@GardenerScott]

Yes. In the first worm video I show shredded cardboard to start a bin.

[@chantalgagne4808]

How is the worm composting going? Any trouble we should know how to avoid? I think I have been over feeding them... nasty smell...

[@GardenerScott]

It's still good. It sounds like your bin is getting too wet. Let it air out and cut back on the feeding.

[@gail-sw9xg]

I always found it to be too much fuss to raise the worms in a bed and then transfer the casting to the garden. Instead, I make sure there is plenty of mulch in the garden and just put the worms directly into the garden beds. The soil stays friable and all the good castings are deposited directly in the garden.

[@VladTheImpalerTepesIII]

Worm castings are profitable. That's the only reason I can see to raise worms and harvest castings.

[@hal7ter]

You'd have to move them inside for the winter.

[@gail-sw9xg]

@@hal7ter the worms do just fine in the garden through the winter. We get temps below zero, but a thick layer of mulch protects them.

[@JWHealing]

@@gail-sw9xg This is what I was thinking. Here in Olympia, WA zone 8b I have a thick layer of wood chips and so I doubt the actual ground freezes much underneath the chips. What kind of worms do you buy to add directly to your garden (under the thick layer of woodchips)? What's your growing zone/ location?

[@donaldl.timberman1610]

Can night crawlers be used to make worm castings?

[@GardenerScott]

They won't survive in a closed container and don't eat kitchen scraps. Specialized vermiculture worms like red wrigglers are best.

[@paulgiannetto1673]

Has anyone tried to harvest by placing a thin layer of castings over a 1/4inch mesh screen and placing in the light so the worms drop through the screen and evacuate the layer of castings above the screen to get back into the dark? I just started my first bin so it will be a while before I can try this.

[@lindap9079]

7:00 a glue gun without the glue stick is a good way to melt holes in plastic too.

[@joaoraposo9925]

Hello Scott I've just start my worm bin, A neighbor gave me some worms. Unfortunately i'm starting to have some mites problems in my bin. Do you have a solution for that ?? What can i do to fix it ? Best regards João Raposo

[@GardenerScott]

The mites are usually the kind that eat moist, decaying wood. You can allow the surface to dry out and that should reduce them.

[@servantofgod5642]

Its lunchtime here in Victoria Australia, I feel like spaghetti! I see your blender makes good bolognaise worm sauce. Do you put the garden soil thru the blender? I saw bags of worm eggs for sale at the store: Would you put some in a garden bed? Or cooled down compost piles?

[@GardenerScott]

I will add a bit of soil to the blend. Buying eggs depends on the type of worm. The worms for sell in my area won't survive our harsh winter. You might have better luck. Ask the seller what type they are and what their benefits are.

[@Mindy56743]

If you place the castings in your garden with the worm eggs and small worms wouldn’t that help the garden in the long term also?

[@GardenerScott]

Possibly. Temperatures below 50F (10C) can kill these worms, so they won't survive cold winters.

[@Mindy56743]

@@GardenerScott thank you. I wonder if there are any other breeds of worms that would do better in the soil

[@GardenerScott]

Your native worms are already there. Add organic matter to your soil and it will encourage more worms.

[@Mindy56743]

@@GardenerScott I am just getting started and hope to be able to create beds that will be beautiful and functional. Worms are the start and I will be getting chickens in a few weeks. This was more for getting rid of the scraps in a healthy way for me one that can grow into something more even in tiny steps

[@wendyperez8714]

How can you tell what's casting and what's coir? Is it an obvious difference?

[@GardenerScott]

There is a big difference. Coir is fibrous and looks like little hairs. Castings look like little pieces of manure.

[@usamom]

Can you please show using an in ground worm farm?

[@GardenerScott]

My garden is too cold in winter and too hot in summer for an in ground worm farm, but I am planning videos on worm towers and buried buckets.

[@usamom]

@@GardenerScott thank you for all this great information! My area is also very hot in summer and i had read that the worms could keep cooler underground in the towers so i was hoping this would be a good solution.

[@lorelynleisure4048]

I am finding this so interesting but I have a question. If the bacteria has to "eat" the food 1st, why wouldn't you add some of the castings back with the food you just added to speed up the bacterial growth and thus the worm migration?

[@GardenerScott]

There should be enough bacteria in the bin and bedding to quickly act as the worms move through. I'm sure how much time would be saved by adding some castings.