More Advanced Pre-Compost Making Questions and Answers

[@thompsonje23]

I love how you explain the “why” behind all that you do. It masked so much sense to a newbie like me. I appreciate all you are doing. Working to get my wormery up and running in Corryton, Tennessee. Thanks so much!

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Julie! I remember all too well the frustration I felt starting out 😬. Not getting a whole lot of ‘why’ and blindly doing what I’m told isn’t my vibe 😂. There’s 3 parts to it (at least!): - It’s the teach a person to fish and he can feed himself kind of thing,and I want to fish! 🤩 - I remember better when I know that I’m doing vs doing what I’m told - and I can look to improve processes and results of if I understand the whole picture. We’re smart worm wranglers! Look at all the innovation we’ve come up with! Sure, we (me!) make mistakes but that’s part of the learning experience. And the fun part too! 😎. I’m so happy to have the whole Castings Crew here so we can swap ideas and info and make work wrangling more enjoyable and successful for everyone 🤗🪱👍. Thanks for being a part of it all Julie 🪱🪱🪱

[@katiem9644]

There is something so satisfying watching you make pre compost, and playing at home with attempting to perfect the ratios to get those temps to where the biota is having a party. Not sure what that says about me that playing with cardboard and coffee grounds is so much fun, but hey, what can I say, Im a cheap date!

[@RockinWorms]

🤣🤣. It’s like counting cocoons. Kinda zen. Well, we are cheap dates together then! I love that so many worm wranglers are into being creative and saving money and resources. It’s the problem solving that drives me. 🤩🪱

[@katiem9644]

@@RockinWorms You know, I think thats a big part of what makes it so satisfying. Such a great hobby with very little cost. And helping to recycle. Can you imagine how many cardboard boxes are in landfills that could be shredded into pre compost? Mind boggling.

[@katiem9644]

So.....its funny how your working blind when your equipment isnt working right. I checked my pre compost, and it was at 80. Really disappointed, so I pulled the thermometer out, and the temp dropped..and dropped.....and dropped. Now I know I dont keep my house at 58, but thats where the thermometer ended up. So I ordered a new one from Amazon, will be here tomorrow. Meanwhile, I had a kitchen thermometer, so I took it and put it in the compost.....95 degrees!!!!!! So Im doing way better than I thought I was doing. Funny how it helps to have your thermometer to work correctly!!!

[@RockinWorms]

@@katiem9644 Oh Katie! I don’t know whether to laugh or commiserate with you! 🤩 You’re going to have to do the experiment again - oh the horror 🤣. I’m eager to see how it goes with a working thermometer 👍🙏🪱

[@katiem9644]

@@RockinWorms 🤣

[@troybailey2615]

Another great video by you and your cameraman!

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Troy! How are the cocoons doing? They must be wisps or bigger by now 👍🪱. Thanks - and I’ll tell Cameraman your compliment. He loves getting mentioned! 🤣🥰

[@troybailey2615]

@@RockinWorms Jayne, I've seen a few wisps but I've been hesitant to dig around in the bin. I'll check it out this upcoming week.

[@RockinWorms]

@@troybailey2615 A little aeration for the wisps would be a good thing. 👍 I look to an update 🪱😎

[@SuperTinker41]

Thank you,again, for the information on the gloves. Mine arrived and they are TRULY USEFUL for Mixing the Pre-compost!!! ((They are FUN to wear too!)) ;)😂❤😂

[@RockinWorms]

Awesome Tina!! I feel like a mutant super hero wearing them 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@marymccusker8133]

I’m going to be very brave and go into a local Starbucks this weekend. I’ll report back! I’m leaving some food sludge in a plastic container out on my deck to let it get moldy. I saw a comment about leaving a couple of slices of bread in a baggy to get moldy. I’ll try that too! The experiment begins!! I love your videos! ❤🪱🪱🪱

[@RockinWorms]

You go girl! We stand with you! Yes, I suggested making moldy bread to Cheryl as an option for her. I’m so glad you saw that suggestion 😍. Reading the comments pays off! 👍😎🪱

[@marymccusker8133]

I read the comments but don’t always remember which video they came from. Reporting back to tell you I was VERY brave ( for me, that is 🤣 ). I just returned home from venturing to two nearby Starbucks. The first gave me one bag of grounds. The second gave me two bags. Success! 🏆🪱🪱I’ve read online posts about how rude/ mean staff are in local Starbucks. Well- I suspect the people working today were mostly high school students- they were very nice. Later I’m getting two 5 gallon buckets pretty cheap on Facebook Marketplace. 😊🪱🪱

[@RockinWorms]

@@marymccusker8133 Excellent! I’m so proud of you! Seriously! That’s an awesome achievement 🤗🤩😎. And look at the reward you have for the effort you made. It’ll be easier for you next time too. Do remember they don’t always have grounds available at the moment you walk in so sometimes you’ll walk away empty handed simply due to timing. You’ll be making pre-compost with the champs now ❤️. I’ve honestly not met a rude Starbucks worker. Not that they don’t exist of course but going in with a positive attitude, waiting your turn, and asking nicely goes a long way 😎. Good job on finding 5 gallon buckets! I don’t recall where you’re located but keep in mind that Walmart usually has buckets in the hardware section for $3-$4 each without the lid. Lids sold separately. Another option if needed. Again - congrats on your success! ❤️❤️🪱

[@marymccusker8133]

I’m in Massachusetts. The nearest Walmart is about 40 minutes away. ( Doesn’t just about everyone have Walmart closer?). I looked online at Home Depot- about one mile from home. The cheapest 5 gallon bucket is $4.98. The lid is $2.98. A guy who owns a meadery ( I had to google to learn about such places cuz I don’t drink) sells 5 gallon food grade buckets with lids for $5. Not that I need food grade but I’d rather re-use something than buy new. And- he’s closer to home than Walmart. I’ve been playing in my pre composting bin this afternoon. I smell like coffee grounds. My expired yeast worked great as I expected. I made food scrap sludge in my blender. ❤🪱🪱🪱. My friends think I’m nuts. I’m having fun!

[@RockinWorms]

@@marymccusker8133 Walmart is 40 minutes from me too. But then again most regular stores are that far from me so it doesn’t matter 🙄. Times $ and gas is $ so that absolutely needs to be factored in. And you know I’m all in on used stuff! 🤣. You’re happy and having fun. You’re not only not hurting anyone, you’re helping everyone! So you keep on doing what you’re doing ❤️. If I only did what others approved of I’d never get out of bed! 🤣🤣🤣

[@nancyfargo4209]

so helpful your discussion of temperatures, i had no idea! thanks, nancy

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Hi Jayne, What a great idea to precompost. Speeding up the process👍👍👍👍I love the looks of your product and I'm sure the worms 🪱 love it ❤ Have a wonderful weekend ❤Peggy❤

[@RockinWorms]

I do think the worms love it! They sure eat enough of it and fast! Will You give it a try? Maybe the small 5 gallon bucket would work for you with your smaller worm population 🪱🪱

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

@RockinWorms I don't have cow manure, but I was thinking about adding some Supersoil spray to the shredded cardboard to see if the worms could eat the bacteria faster. I need to spread the Casting around the Garden so I can begin again. Thanks Jayne, for all of your great ideas!

[@RockinWorms]

@@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920 I don’t add cow manure in when making pre-compost. I use only cardboard, coffee grounds and some form of fruit/veggie liquid. Sometimes I add in yeast for a second heat/cool cycle but I don’t even do that often anymore as my big troughs heat up enough without the yeast. I think the super soil additive would be a great thing to trial adding! It’s concentrated bacteria, right? So just what we’re looking for! I hope you do a video on it 🤞🙏🪱

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

@@RockinWorms I know you weren't using manure. I just meant that I don't have that as a source. I hope your business is taking off!

[@RockinWorms]

@@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920 Ah ok 👍. I’d guess a fair number of work wranglers don’t have a manure source 😊. The business is doing well thank you! I have a big cocoon order so I had to take selling the breeder worms off availability for now as I need them myself. I do have cocoons coming all the time so have them on offer as well as younger worms 👍😎🪱. Thanks for asking 🥰

[@SouthHillCompost]

I use the pre-compost method to keep my worms. I didn't even think of the temperature issue, being the bins were so small. I do curbside food waste collection, and I pre-compost the waste for my worms. After watching your video, I thought I would keep an eye on the temps. I found one at 80⁰ and within the acceptable range. Thank you for your words of wisdom.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi! More than one worm wrangler has cooked their worms by inadvertently turning a worm bin into a hot compost bin 😳😩. I think it’s fantastic that you’re able to collect food wastes headed to the landfill! 👏👍😎🪱

[@peggywaters2589]

I’ve been running my food waste though a food recycler, for years, then sprinkling that around my plants. I’m frustrated that we now have 3 bins, for 3 trucks to be picked up! Why aren’t the greenies pushing worm composting, especially the schools? So much to learn and they are missing the boat!

[@RockinWorms]

@@peggywaters2589 I agree! But the word is catching on. I’ve read about some schools and summer camps having classroom bins. There’s a lot of earth science, biology, chemistry, etc that can be taught thru a worm bin ecosystem. 🪱🪱🪱

[@peggywaters2589]

@@RockinWorms Yes exactly, a lot can be taught!!! Have you ever heard of Grimmway Farms? I think that they mostly grow carrots. Anyway, they are locally owned and they have a charter school not too far from my house. I should see if I can interest some teachers with a project 🤔

[@RockinWorms]

@@peggywaters2589 No I haven’t heard of them. A carrot farm - that’s cool!😎. You could inquire - nothing lost by simply asking. 👍🪱🤩

[@HoosierDaddy611]

Yes, loving the free coffee grounds!… So, my composting bin is outside. The first two nights it got down into the 50° range… Oddly enough when I checked the temperature later in the day the ambient air temperature was 75° and the pre-compost was 73° lol… Today was sunny and got up into the middle 80° range and the temperature is now up to 103° in the bin and there is fungal growth. Next two days are also going to be in the middle 80° range, so things are going good. I also have a question. I purchased some composting worms from Uncle Jim. Some of the worms are 1/2 inch long and others are 3 inches long. So what do I have grow out bins or breeding bins? TIA

[@RockinWorms]

Hi! That’s awesome regarding your pre-compost 👍. You’re definitely cooking and making fantastic worm food and bedding - good job! 🤩. For me, I make the call based on whether or not ALL the worms in the bin are sexually mature worms. If they are then I call it a breeder bin. If there are mixed age worms (some have visible clitellums and some don’t and some may be wisps) then I call it a grow out bin. Actual size of the worms don’t factor into it for me. I have some very small obviously mature worms with bulgy clitellums. And I mean small! As for worms from Uncle Jim’s, if you have mixed species worms it more difficult to tell maturity as Indian blue worms’ clitellum can be hard to see. Do you think you have both species of worms? 🪱

[@wormweirdo340]

I use those claw gloves to mix my pre-compost too! Great product!

[@RockinWorms]

Hello! Awesome! I’m loving my gloves too! Thanks for sharing - it might nudge other worm wranglers to give them a try 🪱🪱😎

[@JocelynVancour]

Hi Jane. When the temperature reaches 100 degrees or so do you mix and let it heat up again or is it complete

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Jocelyn! How have you been? The 100F degrees meaning depends if it’s happening at the beginning or end of a cycle. If you just made the pre-compost mix a day or so ago then it’s at the beginning and you should leave it alone for a few more days and see if the temperature continues to rise. Once the temps peak and then start to fall the heat/cool cycle is starting to achieve stasis. Which is what we commonly say is ‘completion’. When it reaches 100F at that stage it’s time to decide whether to continue to let it cool and use OR mix it up, add more carbon and/or nitrogen and/or liquid and start a new heat/cool cycle on it. Personal choice. The temperatures I showed in this video were of pre-compost in its cooling down stage. I personally need the pre-compost now so I will allow it to further cool down. I also want to clarify that pre-compost is ‘complete’ at any point you choose as long as it’s cool enough to safely use in a worm bin. The biota is still in there working, either fast or slow but still working, at all times. Ok? 🪱🪱

[@richardwcrappiedreamer4581]

Hello your doing a great job but I do have a question what is the name of the ingredients you buy to make the gallon of liquid for pre compost instead of coffee grounds if you could show a close up picture that would be awesome my hearing is not so good 😊

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Richard! I’m sorry for the delay in responding 😊. I don’t buy anything to make pre-compost. A while back I would occasionally use store bought yeast to kick up a 2nd heat cycle but I generally don’t have to do that anymore. 👍. The liquids are from canned veggies eaten at dinner, pasta water, potato cooking water, rinse water from spaghetti sauce jars, any type of bean liquid (Cameraman likes his beans! 😳🙄), etc. I rinse cans and jars and bottles and put the liquid in a used water jug and store until I’m making pre-compost. I’m not sure what you’re asking about the coffee grounds. That’s what I use as I get them free from a couple of Starbucks that are near the store I grocery shop at. You can use other nitrogen rich ingredients like grass clippings which are also free. Tell me what you want a close up of and Cameraman will try his best! 🪱🪱

[@iboikarus860]

I've been wondering for a long time whether I can use the salty water from boiling potatoes. Now I have the answer. Thank you very much. Best regards from Germany. Marko.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Marko! It’s nice to hear from you again. Is it warming up in your part of Germany yet? Potato water is a great add to pre-compost mixing! There’s all sorts of water soluble goodness in that cooking water. As long as you’re not adding a ton of salt - which wouldn’t be good for you either!! - the biota in the pre-compost will break it down enough that by the time it gets into your worm bins it’ll be fine 👍🪱.

[@NanasWorms]

Gosh, Jayne, I get tired just watching you work! Well done. Those gloves look great. I think my sister would love a pair. I would also be careful with alfalfa because of the risk of aminopyralids (persistent herbicides). ~ Sandra

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Sandra! I do manage to keep busy 🤣🤩. You might like the gloves too as I’ve seen you use a small garden fork when working in your bins. Maybe just on one hand…? I don’t know how they’re priced in Canada but it’s worth checking out. The gloves would make a nice gift for a worm or garden person 👍🪱. Thanks for watching 🤗

[@katiem9644]

Im pretty sure animopyralids are not used on alfalfa, as it is a legume.

[@NanasWorms]

@@katiem9644 Thanks Katie. Of course - it would deform the growth of the legume. We need to know what type of hay or he products we bring onto our property, clearly. But it's good to know if it's marked alfalfa it should be clean. ~ Sandra

[@chitza3270]

How long can you store pre-compost before you use it? Does it need to be stored in a particular manner?

[@RockinWorms]

Hello again 😎. While pre-compost is NOT castings, they are stored in the same way as the main beneficial component of both is their respective biota. They both need to be kept mildly moist (not wet or soaked, just barely moist) and have access to air…. A breathable bag or plastic container with air holes. And above freezing temperatures. From there they can both be stored for months and months and months. Not indefinitely as at some point the bioita will have consumed all the bits of food (bedding particles) in the container. Ok? Good question! 👍😎🪱

[@TheJbird777]

So with that size composting tub how long does it take?

[@RockinWorms]

@@TheJbird777 Hi Walt! Welcome! I showed various tins/totes/troughs I make pre-compost in so I’m not sure which tub you’re asking about. But… for the 18-20 gallon totes it’s takes a handful of days to reach top temperature and then about the same time to cool down to ambient temperature. For the big troughs, they heat up quicker to a higher temperature and can take weeks (!) to cool back down when left alone. I usually offload that pre-compost into smaller totes and buckets after several days at max it temperature to speed up the cooling down time. I usually need pre-compost faster than waiting weeks allows 😎. The 5 gallon bucket heated up ok as shown in this video but cooled basically the next day to ambient. The small mass wasn’t able to hold the heat and keep the biota cooking at a temperature that makes hot composting work. At least not using my pre-composting ingredients and method. For most of us worm wranglers with a few worm bins the 18-20 gallon totes is a good choice and gives us what we need for our worms, is easy to make and manage and doesn’t take up much space. I hope I answered your question 😊🪱

[@lisalarson938]

Alternative for your burrito top?

[@RockinWorms]

Hi there. Some worm wranglers here have said they use a pillow case type of sack and put the shred in that. I think you could also use craft paper, cotton fabric, etc to make the ‘screen’. The screen allows air flow and also makes removing the cardboard shred fast and easy. You don’t even need a ‘screen’ if you don’t mind scraping the cardboard off when you go into the pre-compost tote. Is the screen the issue for you? 🪱

[@lisalarson938]

Thank you. That's a great option! Lift it right out! I found that I had a few long rolls of burlap, so used that! ​I walked into Starbucks and grabbed three bags of coffee grinds, they were just inside the door in a bucket. ❤@RockinWorms

[@RockinWorms]

@@lisalarson938 Burlap is a great option too! Any close weave material will do the trick 👍. Be aware that burlap and any natural fabric is also good for both worms and boots so don’t be surprised if it gets eaten along the way 😂😊 Sometimes my Starbucks have them in the foil bags in a bucket too. Most times I ask at the counter and they empty the machines into the current collection big plastic bag and give me that 🤩. Sometimes I walk in and they start gathering the coffee grounds before I even say hi! 🤗🪱. It’s such a sweet deal!!

[@funnysods]

Hi Jayne, just an update on my large pre compost bin that I started over a week ago. I've checked it every day and the internal temperature hasn't moved. I have no idea how this happened, but I've decided to start again. I'll try to use the pre compost as bedding, just a little at a time. Another problem I have in my CFT is black ants. I've read somewhere that they could harm the cocoons that's in there. I also read that ground cinnamon makes them leave. I've put cinnamon it 3 times now and they move, but they're soon back in numbers. How can I get rid of these? I don't want to kill them,I just need them to move house.🐜🐜

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Bill! Gosh that is frustrating! We talked about it a few days ago so I assume you’ve added some nitrogen and made sure the mix is thoroughly damp throughout. If you want to try one more thing to boost this batch I’d say go with activated yeast. The packs are a few dollars at the store. Regular baking yeast is fine. Activate per the instructions- I’d use all 3 packets in the strip - and add into the pre-compost tote. Wait a few days and see what happens. However if you do want to start over and use this batch as prepared bedding that’s a good use for it. I think you’re smart to use a modest amount into a worm bin at a time to make sure it doesn’t suddenly start hot composting! 😊 As for the ants I’d got with the agitation method to get them to move out. Every other day go into the worm bin and move the whole worm bin up. Ants hate to have their homes disturbed so they will vacate fast. To stop ants from moving back in you can use ant kill (we like the Telstar brand) around the OUTSIDE of the worm bin. You can also place the worm bin on a table and place the legs of the table inside small containers filled with water. The ants can’t cross the water to get to the legs to climb up into the worm bin. Some people recommend food grade DE (diatomaceous earth) sprinkled on the top surface of the worm bin. I’ve tried that with mites (as that’s the same recommendation) but have had limited success and I don’t think it would work any better with ants. As a more extreme measure, you can sift out the worms and place them into fresh ant free bedding. Place the infected bedding and castings into the garden or yard. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do and how onwards out 🤞🪱🪱

[@funnysods]

@@RockinWorms thanks for the tips Jayne. I added nitrogen, (coffee grounds) when I started the pre compost, but added another gallon 4 days ago. I also used activated yeast in the original set up. It's thoroughly wet all the way through, I've turned it every other day to make sure. I think I'll go with the activation method for the ants, and if I can get them out, I'll use vaseline on the legs of the CFT to keep them out. Also, I've got some DE, (used it today on my gooseberry bushes), so I'll use a bit of that as well. I'll keep you posted.🤩🪱🪱🪱

[@RockinWorms]

@@funnysods Vaseline is a good idea 👍. With the DE it needs to be dry to work. What I did is sprinkle it on top of fresh dry newspaper in the worm bin. Like I said I don’t think it helps whole lot though. I mainly lay got rid of the mites by wholesale scooping them out of the bin every time I fed. Some worms came along too but it was a price I was willing to pay. They scooped out material with the mites and a few worms went into the garden. I have waaaay less mites now. 👍🪱. I don’t know if scooping would work on the ants. 🤷‍♂️. Agitation sure will though. 🪱🪱

[@funnysods]

@@RockinWorms Hi Jayne, I gave the whole CFT a good rotation today and I definitely saw the ants disappearing before I finished. While I was doing that, I removed a few hundred worms and started a new, bigger breeding bin. My plan is to agitate the CFT every day until the ants move out, then I'll use the Vaseline. I'll also continue taking bigger worms out as breeders for the big bin, I think it'll take a couple of thousand.. I've got another bin to use a s a grow out bin when the breeders have finished in 3 weeks. Happy days, even if the rain won't stop.😄

[@RockinWorms]

@@funnysods You’ve got a good plan of action going! Let us know how it continues to work out. Lots of worm wranglers face ant issues 😩😬🪱

[@wile69abc]

Have you tried adding molasses for sugar?

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Alex! How have you been? No I don’t add molasses to any of my bins, worms or pre-compost. I’m not against it, I just don’t personally have the need to add it. If someone wants to add it go right ahead! I think it’ll be fine and will certainly provide food to the biota 👍🪱

[@marymccusker8133]

I don’t have access to coffee grounds ( only because I’m too shy to ask for them! I’ll make that a personal challenge for myself to get over it). How about using shredded cardboard, coco coir ( only because I already have some) , dried up leaves and shredded/ puréed food scraps ( because I have more than my worms can consume right now). I also have expired yeast that I’m pretty sure will still activate so I could add that in. Do you think that would work? I’m fine with experimenting. As usual- thanks to you and Camera Man for another great video!

[@RockinWorms]

Hi again Mary! I like your sense of adventure! What we need to do is put each of your ingredients into either the carbon, nitrogen or biota column. There may be some overlap but each will belong more to one category than any other. Shredded cardboard, coconut coir, dried brown leaves all are in the carbon column. The yeast is biota. The food scraps - how rotten nasty are they? More on the nitrogen side yes but a lot of biota too? Overall I’m thinking you’re good on the carbon but need more nitrogen. Katie used green grass. Maybe that’s an option for you too? What other nitrogen sources do you have handy? As for the coffee grounds, do you think you could call the store and ask that way? It may be less intimidating that way. ‘Hi. I’m a gardener and I’m wondering what you do with your used coffee grounds. I’d love to be able to pop in and pick some up. Would that be ok?’ ‘Yes? Great! I’ll be in later today or tomorrow. Thanks!’ or ‘No? Ok, thank you.’ Hang up and call the next coffee shop! What do you think? 🤗

[@eddiekitchens3667]

If you have a Starbucks in your area they have bags of coffee grounds they have on the counter for the taking. It's even got a label catering to gardeners. I stopped by and picked up two bags a day for a month and filled up a 35 gallon trash can.

[@RockinWorms]

@@eddiekitchens3667 Hi Eddie! YES! That’s exactly what I do, although not on a daily basis as I live more rural 😊. I’ve been encouraging work wranglers to go to Starbucks or their local coffee place for over a year now. I’m glad you’ve found this wonderful free resource as well. Thank you for bring it up again as maybe more people will see your comment and get on the bandwagon 😎👍🪱

[@peggywaters2589]

It takes a little TLC to make the pre compost, but it’s so easy to store and I’m amazed that it doesn’t stink.

[@RockinWorms]

All the potentially stinky bits have been processed by the biota, leaving ‘clean’ compost as a result. Once you get the hang of making the pre-compost mix - eyeballing the ratios - it’s really fast and easy to make! Which is awesome!! 🪱🪱🤩

[@Marina.mimi133]

Hello, I just discovered your channel! What do you use for nitrogen for your pre compost? It looked like coffee grounds?

[@RockinWorms]

@@Marina.mimi133 Hi Marina! Welcome to the Castings Crew! Yes, you’ve got that exactly right 👍. Used coffee grounds provide the nitrogen in my pre-compost mix. I get them free from the local Starbucks. But other worm wranglers get them from mom and pop shops, 7-11 type stores, etc. Ask around! You might find a super source for the grounds 😎👍

[@DavidLopez-ni2ny]

Can you feed the worms only the pre compost?

[@RockinWorms]

Hi David! Welcome! Yes you can if it’s made like I show and therefore full of biota. In nature they exist in the earth layer called duff. It’s comprised of leaf littler, animal wastes, tons of micro organisms, etc. The pre-compost we make has alot of the same nutrients. That said I’d give them a little something else if possible. One of my very experienced commenters had once said that if he had my pre-compost he’d add in some ground up bird seed and leave it at that! 🪱🪱

[@DavidLopez-ni2ny]

Thank you for the reply. Yes maam I make it using your instructions and I have plenty of extras I can add here and there

[@RockinWorms]

@@DavidLopez-ni2ny Then you are good to go! 👍🪱🪱

[@valeriekushner5003]

Do you have any viewers that are successful with making compost in their garage when the outside temperature gets below freezing. Another question is do you shred all the cardboard yourself or access it some where? I have found a good resource for cardboard that doesn’t have tape or pictures is the big box stores like Costco. They stack the items on cardboard sheets . They were happy to let me have a bunch of the sheets of cardboard for my garden when I asked.

[@RockinWorms]

@@valeriekushner5003 Hey Valerie! No, I don’t recall anyone specifically saying they’ve composted in the garage when it’s freezing outside. Are you talking about making pre-compost in a tote or larger trough? What’s your garage ambient temperature? My general understanding from the literature is that ambient temperature needs to be at least 40-45F so that the starting biota can get a foothold and make its own heat to keep the process going for its hot composting cycle. I shred all my cardboard myself. I called to a few document shredding companies but for security reasons they won’t sell the shred. Theoretically someone could paste the pieces back together 😊. I get my sheets of cardboard primarily from BJs, which a Costco like warehouse store. It’s great isn’t it?! If you haven’t invested in a pair of electric scissors you really should The $40 is so worth it!! 🪱

[@valeriekushner5003]

@@RockinWorms I have checked the temperature and it is around 45 degrees in the garage. Santa is bringing me a couple of seed warmer mats so I can play with them. I will be creating the compost in the 18 to 20 gallon tubs. I plan on keeping the tubs off the cold concrete. I have saved food scraps in a 5 gallon pail on the back porch and made it into a slurry. It has been rotting nicely in the bucket. After I make my first successful batch of compost I will be ordering some cocoons from you. Check out your big box store or restaurant supply for bakers yeast, it comes in a compressed bag probably a cup and a half in the bag, and is well under $10.00. I store it in the freezer in a canning jar. 2 1/4 tsp =0ne package of yeast. I bake often and kept the yeast active for a few years in the freezer. Hugs

[@RockinWorms]

@ Santa rocks! 🤣🤩🪱 You sound very ready to go to make pre-compost 👍. Where are you getting your carbon? For free I hope 😊. I get my bulk yeast from a warehouse shopping club. Same as you say. Store it exactly the same as you too 😍. I wish I had the time to bake more. As a teenager I’d bake to relieve the common drama stress of school 🤣. Ah, flashback! 😆. Good reminder tip for where to get bulk yeast at a good price for those wanting to do that - thanks! 🪱🪱

[@PatriciaHall-cw2ks]

Jayne,I have a question! I’m not sure I have redwigglers orthe reds they call blues. I can t 😢tell them apart..I think I have both. I bought them at Ace hardware, they are beautiful large worms,that they call Red worms,now some I can see the bright yellow tail, andtheyarereally fat. Giving me lots of cocoons. That’s why I was wondering if I can visit you and going some along for you hotel me. All cocoons are hatching now and I have lots of twists, but don’t know what they are. I need help. thank you so much. I love to watch your videos.

[@RockinWorms]

@@PatriciaHall-cw2ks Hey there. That is a downside of buying worms from stores like Ace or Walmart or the gas station. You don’t really know what you’ve got. And some or species of earthworm that are great for fishing but do not take to captivity at all. It sounds like your yellow tailed worms are in the Esenia species - either fetida or hortensia. What you can do is pick them out and start a new bin with them. Then keep going thru the original bin every week and pick out more worms as you see them. The blue worms don’t have yellow tails and don’t get fat bulgy clitellums. Even baby red wigglers have little yellow tail tips but they’re hard to pick out because they’re so small. The two species do get along so you can just keep them as a mixed bin if you want. Or pick out some of the red wigglers and have that bin and still keep the original going. You’ve got options depending on your goal 😍. There were a few autocorrect words that made some of what you were saying unclear to me. Please try me again on those topics 🥰🪱

[@tayag9223]

@RockinWorms hi Jayne, today I watched a 11th month old video of a young lady who has an allotment(not sure if you have them in the states? Basically its a piece of ground you can rent from the council to garden). In the video she produced a small wormery - I would guess a 3 gallon bucket she said was around 7years old and that she had neglected it ie. not feed. She wants the castings for her potting mix. The levell in the bucket was very shallow and very moist. The worms were alive but very thin and I would expect there would be few cacoons to be honest. She made and installed a bait tub. Which I think the worms would quickly migrate to because of being hungry. Not sure if she shows a follow up! I want to do similar to my small 5gallon bucket worm farm first; it's the one where the level mysteriously increased. These worms are fat and well fed! I have a couple of questions - I was thinking of only having access holes on the sides of my bait tub, I guess my thinking is not having them hanging half in and out of the bottom. What do you think? How often should I check the bait tub, every day, couple of days? The bucket is v. Moist so I need to bait and dry. Plus what bait food have you found works best? Thanks Take care 💕

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Taya! We don’t have allotments per se in the States. People can of course rent land and farms and all sorts of things but it’s primarily from private owners. Yes I agree that lady’s worms will move fast into her bait cup due to being hungry. I be had that situation too - and honestly it works the best. Doesn’t mean the worms have to be starved, just maybe coming off a bit of time foraging. Depending on your timing for wanting to harvest you can stop feeding your worms for a week or 2, fluff often to aid in drying the contents down and then add a yummy bait cup. Holes on the sides and not the bottom will be fine. I’ve had good bait success with lots of different foods - of the worms are hungry, they’re not picky! I’ve done it with only a coffee grounds and tea bag mix, fruits like bananas and melon work well, heck you can mix in some worm chow into fresh biota laden bedding and then place that in the bait cup! You don’t need to overthink this 😎. Let us know how it goes 👍🪱🪱

[@HoosierDaddy611]

I just finished making a big batch of the pre-compost… I hit the mother load of coffee grounds at two different Starbucks yesterday… Not gonna lie, I did add some urine to the slurry… I read on KZbin some people do that and it’s a good source of nitrogen…

[@RockinWorms]

Hello! No need to hesitate on sharing the real deal - we want to straight up here 👍. You’re absolutely right - urine is a good source of nitrogen. Just be sure to balance it out with the right amount of carbon. The coffee grounds are high in nitrogen too so even more important to be adding carbon in proportion. Isn’t it a great feeling to get those lovely bags of free coffee grounds?! Good for you! I look forward to you sharing your pre-compost progress 👍🪱😎

[@mrouterrim]

Do u refrigerat your vegi sluri

[@RockinWorms]

Hello again! Now you know you can use the canned veggie liquid you asked about last time 👍😎 If it’s thick slurry I do try to refrigerate it so it doesn’t explode out of the jug. If it’s thin then I don’t fill the jug up and leave head space. iIt can sit on the patio work table until I use it. 🪱👍😎

[@cherylhowker1792]

I don’t have tins of stuff as my autism and the the texture don’t go lol Can I use a carton of orange juice/apple juice /tomato juice… any juices I can get at the shop? Just means I can buy something- may seem silly but I’m happy too so long as it helps. Things like this I don’t think about. Lol I was just using water.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Cheryl! The benefit of the juices other than the liquid they add in and of itself is the biota that comes along for the ride. The fresh liquid from canned food will have biota in it of course (most of the foods we buy and consume aren’t completely sterile. Mostly, but not completely). So when you add these liquids in you’re effectively adding biota to the pre-compost system which is what we want and need. But the fresh stuff has way less than old stuff though. This is a long way of saying you’d be better spending your money on a few yeast packets or over ripe fruits and veggies and using that vs buying a fresh carton of fruit juice unless you do that and let it sit in the fridge for several months before using. Even taking a few slices of bread and putting them into a sealed baggie for a week or more will allow it to grow mold. Then it can be added to a pre-compost tote. I’ll have to remember to say that in a future video! The further point is this: we are literally surrounded by boots every second of our lives. It’s not that hard to ‘capture’ that boots on a food surface and grow it a bit and then add it into a composting system. I circle back to using yeast if having yucky stuff around is just not possible for you. Yeast is clean and easy and cheap and smells nice (like bread!) when activated. Ok?🪱🪱

[@cherylhowker1792]

@@RockinWorms think I’m ok so buy yeast and use that xxx thanks, stick to water

[@RockinWorms]

@@cherylhowker1792 For you, yes I think that’s the best way to go. ❤️😎🪱

[@evelynknight5627]

I am also autistic and hate canned stuff! I'll add a suggestion that I use in a similar manner... If you have water left over from boiling pasta or potatoes or from rinsing off rice (if you do that), that stuff seems to work pretty well! Another one I use is discard from my sourdough starter, which has naturally cultivated yeast and lactobacillus in there. The discard especially kicks off some great activity, but the other stuff seems to work as well for feeding/breeding microbes, and all of it is stuff that would otherwise would get discarded otherwise!

[@cherylhowker1792]

@@evelynknight5627 I must say that a lot of my food comes from the freezer lol As in dinner/main meal stuff. I don’t do the cooking as have seizures that are unpredictable so it’s no safe, my mum and brother are my main carers atm- another story lol. But I will have to ask them to start keeping the stuff they would throw down the sink. Lol I know they will both go that’s yucky but I can ask.

[@Junglistworms]

Essential advice for wranglers

[@RockinWorms]

@@Junglistworms As you said on your channel, bedding makes a huge difference in how well a worm bin performs. Pre-compost making should be on everyone’s learn to do list! 😎💕

[@esmysyield2023]

Keep in mind that the worms may not process all of the salt and if you use the castings your adding that to your soil. I am not sure if table salt accumulates like fertilizer salts. But just in case be mindful of that.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Esmy! Your caution is well noted. I hope I gave the same caution in the video. The relatively small amount that we use in cooking and canned goods are going thru the pre-composting process before hitting a worm bin. The salts will be broken down by the biota to at least some degree so less of an impact on worms and bin ecosystems. Fertilizer salts are more concentrated in strength and also location (base of plants) and do need to be flushed out occasionally. As with most things, moderation is the key. Thank you for your comment ❤️👍🪱

[@Druexotics]

Had a one gallon bucket get up to 140 the worms were not happy

[@RockinWorms]

Hi again! Another work wrangler had a similar experience. Pre-compost getting over 133F seems to kill off the biota the worms like, leaving the pre-compost NOT to the worms liking, as you found out too. I now caution myself and other worm wranglers to keep the heat below 133F aka thermophilic bacteria’s upper temperature range. Thank you for sharing your experience! 🪱😎👍

[@cherylhowker1792]

Bananas are looking well yummy xxx

[@RockinWorms]

🤣🤣. They are delicious! They are ready to be harvested and processed into the freezer. I’ll be doing that today 😎. The cows and worms will be happy as they get the peels 🤩🪱

[@cherylhowker1792]

Also wanted to send ya my love auntie Jayne, you always been there for me on the journey we are on, in separate countries lol but we in it together and I really really really appreciate that. Xx

[@RockinWorms]

@@cherylhowker1792 My complete pleasure 🥰. I’ve enjoyed our many conversations and look forward to more. ❤️

[@cherylhowker1792]

@@RockinWorms don’t you eat the bananas then??? Man I’d love a few of them lol. But maybe couldn’t manage to eat them all intime

[@RockinWorms]

@@cherylhowker1792 Oh yes we eat the banana! I freeze a lot of them as there’s a lot of them at one time. I peel them before freezing and the peels are what the animals get. They also get the leaves and stalks and bells. Bananas are a great plant to have! However, a neighbor just let me know the other day that they have Panama disease in their banana now - which kills the plants. They brought in infected soil. Now we wait to see if it’ll migrate to our bananas 😳😬😖😩. I could go on with the emojis!