Top 10 Myths and Truths of Worm Farming- ENC Bin Feeding

/ @plantobsessed Top 10 Truth and Myths of Worm Farming
Playlist for the European Night Crawlers Here
• European Night Crawlers
See description below-I purchased 500 Cocoons in 2019 from ETCWL and was given 1 pound of adult ENC from NE worms The bins were started in July 2021 I am an Amazon affiliate. The items below are the Amazon affiliate links for the items I use in my wormery. The cost is the same to you.
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[@onegrapefruitlover]

I don’t know how I got to the “worm bin ASMR with wormmentary” part of KZbin but I love it

[@PlantObsessed]

awesome!! another worm word Thank you :)

[@wormweirdo340]

OMG, the camera blooper was hilarious.

[@PlantObsessed]

Yeah... keeping it real!! lol

[@theunskoch4256]

When i bought my redwigglers in 2018, the guy i bought them gave me a whole list of so called forbidden fruits, i asked him about papaya and he told me it contains enzymes that will hurt the worms, i later found out that it is a myth, they actually like papaya

[@PlantObsessed]

It's crazy how the worban Legends keep going.

[@jackmackerel4151]

My kid came home from school and told me they said not to give worms spicy food, and there are a bunch of websites that say the same thing.

[@JJamiah]

I gasped because I’ve been giving them plenty papaya. Whew thankful it’s a myth

[@karischmoyer7276]

Green papaya "milk" is a enzymatic meat tenderizer that can be used as MSG had been. However, ripe papaya and its skin loose that enzyme thru ripening, making the whole papya entirly safe for consumption and rendering the enzymes in the "skin milk" inert. Many fruits like green mangoes, family to poison ivy, have sap that's toxic but worm and bin buddies won't go near it green. Mangoes are great ripe. Unless you're cooking them for chutney, worms and people have little use for most unrippened fruit. IMO

[@GooseDave]

There is always so much useful information in your videos. Thanks for sharing your experiences in such detail. There is no fat on your dialogue either. Straight to the point and everything relevant.

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad I was helpful. 😃👍🏼🪱

[@A-V]

The invasive worm species topic is an interesting one. I was watching a video on the subject & it showed a section of forest the way it looks today versus the way it looked prior to the invasion of the worms that threw things way out of balance - and what a difference. Wow!

[@PlantObsessed]

Yeah all the understory flowers are gone and the weed trees like soft maple take over. Sad

[@A-V]

Yeah... you'd never imagine the kind of carnage worms could wreak. Crazy

[@brianseybert2189]

I use a chlorine filter on my water source for not only my worms but also my garden. I also will use some vitamin C powder, or collect some humic acid from compost to neutralize the chlorine and chloramines. Last but not least, I will fill a 5 gallon bucket of tap water and let sit for a day or two and the chlorine will just gas off. I found that excess moisture in covered worm bins create a perfect environment for bacteria to crawl up the sides of the bins, and the worms are following the bacteria that break down the food that feeds them. Since I went to a permeable covering directly on top of the bedding, I have not had any migration on the sides of my bins. Enjoy your videos, Stay Well!!!

[@PlantObsessed]

I bought a hose attachment that was pretty cheap for the wormery. I tested the water and it was free of chlorine. Sometimes I run out of drops and it is cut working well.

[@miningking70]

Like I said, you want to know the mystics and tips! You see Ann! Excellent data for us farming worms! Thank you! I am the Black Soldier Fly Man!

[@PlantObsessed]

Sometime I would like to try BSF I hear they are hard to keep up with for food.

[@AJsGreenTopics]

Great information Ann. The camera drop bleep was hilarious. Thank you for the shoutout. Have a great day. 🙂

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you! You too!

[@trishkcmo3683]

I use aquarium water, distilled, or zero water. Since I have a distiller, it doesn't cost me anything. I prefer the water from cleaning my aquariums.

[@PlantObsessed]

I bet that works great. Sort of like adding a nitrogen to the bin. 👍🏼🪱😁

[@fineartonfire_5327]

May be the BEST information I’ve found yet as far as real facts and what ya need to know. Thank you and hope you and family are well!

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you for the kind words ☺️ Happy worming👍🏼🪱😁

[@karischmoyer7276]

Ann, really like your choice of words when discussing "organic" vs "traditionally" farmed. IMOpeeps freak out over farming methods when considering all living beings injest what's available. One can make better choices but the hysteria around farming methods is so interesting. I think organisms, including humans are more forgiving and tolerate many types of intake. At least as a society we're not treating aliments with mercury vapors anymore!😂

[@PlantObsessed]

Yep, 100%. If people who consume only organic foods spend a little bit of time working in the agriculture of organic foods, their eyes would be much more wide open to reality.🪱👍🏼😊

[@wormweirdo340]

We have chlorine AND chloramine treated water here. I ran out of rainwater that we collected over the summer and I’ve resorted to using tap water treated with fish drops for the houseplants and worm bedding.

[@PlantObsessed]

That is rough. No way around having to treat then. I have a RO in my kitchen due to the 500 tds of my city water. We are at almost EPA action level for copper and iron. I have many orchids and bonsai that would not tolerate the minerals alone.

[@gregbutler9873]

I told her, as her executive producer , to say “ fried fish “ when things happen unplanned when filming but she reverts back to her native tongue . 😂😂

[@PlantObsessed]

Lol yep... Thus the beep 😎

[@dianadeejarvis7074]

I used to have a supervisor who said "flock" in similar situations. LOL

[@lisahynes7865]

I love your down to earth ; haha talks about the worms and cultures. you are so informative in a relaxed easy way. Very practical info. Keep crawling along, Lisa

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you for the kind words 😊👍🏼🪱

[@simonsuppertime2589]

I wanted to jump through KZbin to save your camera for going over!

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank god it is a gopro and is pretty tough. Thanks for the spiritual assist!!

[@dianadeejarvis7074]

In the US state of Georgia, hammerhead worms are considered invasive. They can actually eat earthworms and have some kind of secretion that's irritating to human skin.

[@PlantObsessed]

I have seen them in some videos in Ireland. They look super scary.

[@asteria4279]

Almost all earthworms you see in Canada are actually introduced! There were as almost no native earthworms prior to colonization due to glaciation. While we love the European worms in agriculture and gardens, they do have a negative effect on forest floor litter (decomposes it too fast). No getting rid of them now though.

[@asteria4279]

I'm picturing a worm with a hammerhead shark type head 😂 🦈 OMG - just looked it up and they ARE!! 😮😮😮

[@tiffany7023]

I'm in VA, gardening zone 7b And the jumping worm is the most invasive and hated here.But unfortunately, earthworms are considered an invasive species here in Virginia as well.

[@PlantObsessed]

Really, all earth worms? I'm not familiar with the geology of Virginia. I didn't think it was completely covered in glaciers like Illinois. That was what killed off all our original worms.

[@tiffany7023]

@@PlantObsessed I have no idea how or why they're considered invasive, but I know our local birds eat well. 😢 And I have never had to pay for worms. If I want some I just look under flower pots or a damp pile of leaves.

[@huskygardner4213]

Thanks for sharing this information. I didn’t think about chlorine in my tap water when I soaked my initial bedding. It makes sense since the microbes are the heavy lifters to break down the food. I think it evaporated before I actually put the worms in and things have been ok. I will be sure to use my filtered water if I need any more in the future or let it set first to evaporate out.

[@PlantObsessed]

You can look it up on your city webpage and see the water report if you live in the US.

[@charlie5204]

Great information you shared on all the myths out there. For me, as a "beginner", it's valuable to participate on your experience. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day 🙂

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you for watching and have a great day!!

[@RuneHarker-zj8jl]

delighted by this whole video, i'm wholly invested in worms now, thank you!!!

[@PlantObsessed]

I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for watching 😃

[@lisahynes7865]

You are the best. I love your presentation style, so relaxed and welcoming as well as super informative. No fear worm farming! Do you show your garden? Fondly, Lisa from MA

[@PlantObsessed]

There is a worm tea video where I show my garden. Thank you for the kind words. 👍🏼🪱😀

[@tomasallende9583]

I overuse grit, I can't help it, I have still a large amount of shrimp meal and bone meal and it's not going to hurt the worms, and it's part of the ritual for me. Plus, it does add calcium, phosphate and nitrogen to the castings so yeah :p

[@PlantObsessed]

Yeah me too. I have a ton of egg shells . The plants will use what the worms do not. Right?

[@8oclocktomatotalk]

Great info Ann! I’m especially interested in your multiple sites where the worms are hard at work: your garden, and the site for your neighbors to use! I’m hoping to start my vermicomposting in the spring in my basement.

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you. I'm glad you are going to get started making a worm farm soon. 😊👍🏼

[@laurasluder9816]

Your link to the Aurora 18 sheet Shredder isn’t working. I need to order one and would love to support you.

[@NanasWorms]

Lol, your worms were all hanging out in an unorganized group - sounds like they are teenagers! ~ Sandra

[@PlantObsessed]

They are rebelling lol 😂

[@mariangiefarias2584]

You are sooooo helpful! No nonsense! Question i started a bin to raise worms for a tower garden, what are your thoughts on that? Also... i have an ant problem. I live i sub tropica area... Thanks!

[@PlantObsessed]

I am lucky not to have many ant problems here. I would think the tower garden would be ok if you can keep the moisture even. 🪱😀👍🏼

[@Vermicompost]

I love your worm myth videos!! Great advice in the middle of number 10...listen to your worms when it comes to feeding...and everything actually!! Awesome video!!🪱🪱🪱

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you 😃

[@roywarriner8441]

A sink or fridge filter will remove the chlorine, it's still best to let the water sit for a day or two the same as you would to water houseplants.

[@PlantObsessed]

Thanks for the info!

[@theresarothenberger2264]

You are so intelligent. Love you vids. 😊

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you for the kind words 👍🏼🪱😁

[@annatsibikova4400]

Thanks for very informative video. You ansvered a lot of questions i had.

[@PlantObsessed]

Glad it was helpful!👍🏼🪱😁

[@laurelpickens3364]

I always get lots of babies when I feed pumpkin.

[@PlantObsessed]

They love their pumpkin and it shows.

[@kennakamura4139]

As far as I know, all earthworm species from Canada and the North of the USA were introduced, as none survived during the ice age.

[@PlantObsessed]

I cannot speak for Canada but I understand the same for the United States. I live in a highly glaciated area and all the worms that are here came from the UK.👍🏼🪱😁

[@amathonn]

Is it necessary to fluff the worm bedding up like you're doing in this video? How often? Looks like it's time to start a new bin!

[@PlantObsessed]

I only do it about once a month now. Keeps the oxygen in and prevents an anaerobic environment.👍🏼🪱😃

[@lindap9079]

I have learned a lot from your videos Ann. Thank you for the effort you put into educating others. I started my worm bin just over a year ago (Sept. '22) I have never found a "worm ball" is that good, bad or indifferent?

[@PlantObsessed]

You might see one of you come back after about 4 days after feeding. Not a bad thing. Just might be a little late to the party.😁🪱👍🏼

[@confidentcaninellc5764]

Love your videos! I pretty new to learning about vermiculture. Where do the other critters come from? The springtails etc?

[@PlantObsessed]

I think they come in on vegetable matter from the outside. I didn't buy any to add to the bin. 👍🏼🪱😀

[@confidentcaninellc5764]

@@PlantObsessed That's great! Thanks!

[@kalebli5502]

New Sub. Happy Friday!

[@PlantObsessed]

Welcome to my worm family 😁👍🏼🪱

[@tolgaswp]

Amazing as always

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mistyk.8084]

What do you mean when you say they’re losing their size ?

[@PlantObsessed]

Over time they become smaller. Successive generations of worms are shorter and thinner.

[@flockshot1967]

Can you mix different types of worms such as red wigglers and night crawlers in the same bin?

[@PlantObsessed]

Yep, my worm bin Blue has red wigglers, European nightcrawlers and blue worms in it.

[@shaspearman8647]

Thank you!

[@PlantObsessed]

I'm glad you liked it.🙂🪱👍🏼

[@TheDumplingMan]

Just tried to find a list of invasive species for Germany or Europe. Found nothing about any worms there. Anybody knows a bit more?

[@PlantObsessed]

There are quite a few people from Sweden and Ireland/ Wales that are frequent watchers. I hope they can answer your question.

[@195dm]

The Californian rosd earthworm is actually of European origin, so it is not on the list of invasive species

[@eulerizeit]

WRT organic vs not. The only concern I've heard is feeding manures that contain dewormers like ivermectin etc.

[@PlantObsessed]

Definitely. Also Roundup pasture spray can be persistent through the gut of a horse and worm to mess up your garden.

[@eulerizeit]

@@PlantObsessed I did not know that about roundup. Not surprising info but new info.

[@laurelpickens3364]

Look up the chemical sold under the name Grazon. Up to four years of no broadleaf plants after it is applied.

[@PlantObsessed]

@@laurelpickens3364 yes that was what I was thinking about too.

[@wijnandavanmarken3384]

Do you cover bleu after feeding? Or do the worms just five down? Greetings from Holland.

[@PlantObsessed]

I cover the feeding end with a foam sheet

[@TheYeaRdPr0jEcT]

When you say, they will reuse the grit, do that mean that the grit doesn’t digest into the casting, it just comes out separate again the way it looked going in? I’m waiting on my worms to arrive and I’ll be a newbie to farming. I have a lot of fish bone meal that was gonna go in a garden, would that be good for grit?

[@PlantObsessed]

Yep they eat the food and castings multiple times.😃👍🏼🪱

[@juntjoonunya9216]

If the news tells you something like something is an "invasive species" doesn't mean anything. Every species considers another species "invasive". I'm sure God made them perfect for each other. We're the only "invasive" species anyone needs to worry about

[@PlantObsessed]

True. 👍🏼🪱🙂

[@jamesthorpe2359]

So if I am using worms in a raised garden bed and I use some miracle grow fertilizer in small doses, will that hurt the worms? Or if the dose is small enough they will be okay

[@PlantObsessed]

I use that on my tomatoes too and the worms that live in my raised bed worm tower are just fine.

[@timnic3850]

When I first started learning about worm growing and developing, so many people had lists of the many foods worms can't or can eat. Worms should be able to eat anything, maybe quickly or maybe further decomposing required. They are greedy guts. :). Strong chemical pesticides may affect them but even those decompose and they seem to eat. Same as for plants, poisons in the ground seem to be repelled by the roots of plants. They want to eat/drink what benefits them. They reject what they don't want, else it would kill them.

[@PlantObsessed]

I grow quite a bit of my own food so I know what is in the soil. I'm not sure how all the list started. My worms and bin buddies will flat out eat just about anything.🪱👍🏼😊

[@flutetobassmusician]

I never understood the "absolutely don't feed ..." They eat what they can in the wild. The only inconvenience I see is the time for certain foods to be eaten and as you said the flies.

[@PlantObsessed]

Yes, some things take actual years to process. They have the time lol 👍🏼😃🙏🏼

[@AlienSKP]

Hi ! Im new worm owner. Do we need to work on our bin like you do all along in the video ??

[@PlantObsessed]

No, everyone will find their own way. By the time the bin is about 6 months old you will have your own way. I show how I do it . It is not the only way.🪱👍🏼😃

[@JhonnyCrash1]

Hey there, just started my first wormbin and inlove you video's. I do have a couplenof questions and/or remarks: - i live in the netherlands and temperature can get to freezing point in the winter. I GF doesn't want the worms in the house so the best i can do is the shed or garage. What can i do to keep the temperature of the bin within the right range? - since i'm not from america i don't know farenheit. Would it be possible to add the celsuis on the screen? - is onion (shell and the onion itself) okay to give? - is shrimp shell okay to give? (Also possible to dry and grind up)

[@PlantObsessed]

Onion is fine. I would grind the shrimp. I had some luck creating hot compost in part of the bin to keep it above freezing. I have been trying to remember to do the conversions on the screen. The last red wigglers video from last Sunday had all the conversations. Thank you for watching 👍🏼🪱😃

[@JhonnyCrash1]

@@PlantObsessed wow i wasn't sure if i would get an answer, let alone within such short time! Thanks for the response! One thing i forgot to add was rotten/spoiled/moldy food. Is that okay?

[@TheYeaRdPr0jEcT]

I’ll be starting out with 100 worms in the worm factory 360, so would it be OK to throw a whole banana in and see how long it takes them to consume that?

[@PlantObsessed]

Make sure there is plenty of moist bedding on several layers so they can get away from it if it sours.🪱👍🏼😃

[@TheYeaRdPr0jEcT]

@@PlantObsessed i could Do a small layer of coconut coir and then shredded cardboard and mix it all up. I believe I seen you do that? I just ordered a few worm blankets. They’ll be in today.

[@estherrobinson1532]

Do you put shredded paper in the bin?

[@PlantObsessed]

Yes, but not a large amount because it sticks together. I add extra coco coir or peat to keep the fibers broken up.😃🪱👍🏼

[@-ChrisD]

Muddy 👍🏻's up!

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@chewy7062]

My well water has too many minerals and is very alkaline so the worms start escaping if i add some or use it in the bedding mix

[@PlantObsessed]

Yikes. Do you filter it? Thank you for commenting. 😃🪱👍🏼

[@rickcartersr5265]

Have you ever used comfrey in your worm been

[@PlantObsessed]

I just started growing it this year. I did toss some in the outside bin. 👍🏼🪱😃

[@explor360]

Will used coffee grounds act as a grit substitute?

[@PlantObsessed]

I know some people use them. They do break down over time. 👍🏼😃🪱

[@fontek1975]

Are blue Walmart boxes safe for worms. Do they have heavy metals in them?

[@PlantObsessed]

You can look up the USDA rules but most cardboard in the US is supposed to be free of most hazardous chemicals and metal. I use the Amazon and Walmart boxes all the time. Also cereal and other food boxes.🪱👍🏼😃

[@otterlydivergent6540]

What are slow foods?

[@PlantObsessed]

Slow foods are items that the worm cannot access quickly. Apple and avocado flesh take longer because the worms need the microbes to start breaking them down first. Fast food like melon and pumpkin are eaten very quickly no need for help from helpers in the bin.

[@parminderkaur7453]

Do you had holes on bottom of blue to drainage

[@PlantObsessed]

No I just manage moisture with the bedding. If it is a super wet feeding I use dry bedding.

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

35 years ago I started worm farming. 65 years ago my late husband raised night crawlers to sell to fishermen. I started with drainage holes in bottom of tray-- what a mess. Within 5 years I had changed to a system like this using carbons ( paper, coirr, cardboard ) to " drink up " extra moisture and it all became easier and a whole less messy.

[@garpDerringer42]

Ann,where did you buy your sieve?

[@PlantObsessed]

I get them from Amazon. My favorite it the 1/4 inch. There are links in the description below the video.

[@frkifrk]

bones are OK?

[@PlantObsessed]

Yep

[@michaelwray320]

Here in Alabama army worms are the worst. Have watched them clean off a 100 acre sod farm in less than a day

[@PlantObsessed]

Army worms turn into moths right? That is crazy. I wonder if you attracted more birds if they would.take care.of them for you? 👍🏼🪱🤔

[@michaelwray320]

@@PlantObsessed all I know is they love Bermuda grass. When the are harvesting a field you can hear them wiping it out. Never seen a bird around when they show up. Of course all the farmers spray them immediately like they’re putting out a fire

[@Jesusiscoming24]

Maybe the news paper ink is toxic to worms .. and people make videos with title that say how to this or that rather then saying learn from my mistakes 😂 ... I messed up all the time and I'm not going to pretend I didn't fail ... I do my videos as a experiment rather then claiming to be the expert ..... I'm thinking peat moss mixed with vegetables would feed worms but I never tried it yet

[@PlantObsessed]

Yep

[@fullupfinish12]

Myth #11: Worm bins need to be fluffed or otherwise manhandled. Playing with worms is fun but I think it causes undue stress. In nature it's a predator digging and scratching.

[@PlantObsessed]

How else do you evaluate the bin and see if it is anaerobic?

[@fullupfinish12]

@@PlantObsessed worms will move away from the conditions that don't suit them. They are also resilient. I like your method of wood shavings with peat/coir and I think that's enough. If I get an anaerobic patch it stays that way and gets screened out. Also, from all your videos, I don't think I've seen any bad conditions. But I also know your viewers (including myself) kinda love to see all those worms. It feels great when you know you are doing it right. I dunno. It's always hard to just trust the process.

[@PlantObsessed]

@@fullupfinish12 that is one issue people without worm channels forget. I am here to show worms and their lives . People would not watch if it was not interesting visually. If there was no camera things are not the same.

[@magnetiseren]

Why are you constantly disturb the worms with your hands? They’re getting dizzy 😉

[@PlantObsessed]

Its more about adding air to the system. I only do it about once a month so they have a very long time to forgive the intrusion before I do it again.

[@frkifrk]

so no1. IS bad conditions

[@PlantObsessed]

Bones will take years of left whole. They won't hurt anything

[@wijnandavanmarken3384]

Sorry...dive

[@PlantObsessed]

Lol

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Great list Ann !! Favorite was "you do you" :) Managing my expectations and being patient has been a great experience in our first year. Trying to "keep up" is tiring and potentially dangerous to our system. Cheers 🪱🌱🪱

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you!

[@TheYeaRdPr0jEcT]

When you say, they will reuse the grit, do that mean that the grit doesn’t digest into the casting, it just comes out separate again the way it looked going in? I’m waiting on my worms to arrive and I’ll be a newbie to farming. I have a lot of fish bone meal that was gonna go in a garden, would that be good for grit?

[@PlantObsessed]

Worms re eat the castings. The grit is in the castings so they can utilize the same hard sand or shell over again 🪱👍🏼😃