Set-It-And-Forget-It Worm Bins - 4 Months Later!

A look at a couple of the systems I started back in November - the "Set-It-And-Forget-It" bins I wrote about on the blog (link to post below). Other than the initial set-up materials, and one small addition of pumpkin a short time later, nothing else was added to these bins for 4+ months! (I actually have some other ones that have been going more than 5 months with ZERO other inputs). The "big idea" is that this is an easy way to create a hands-free vermiculture/vermicomposting system, "Insurance System", worm mix/culture etc. The approach is very flexible as long as you stick to the core principles!
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[@A-V]

I just started three new systems in buckets... which is a departure from the much shallower bus boxes that I normally use. When I fed them for the first time I found it to be very awkward working in such a constrained space. I'm tempted to try a similar _set is & forget it_ method for those systems to save me the hassle of needing to do periodic checkins & maintenance....

[@roncatlin7271]

interesting perspective. i farm in 5gal buckets also. when i make my bedding it has enough nutrition in it that i probably wouldn't ever need to feed but never the less i do feed them because that is part of the reason i keep them to help with compostable material. i don't find feeding my worms awkward at all. i pulverize my ingredients in a vitamix until they are just about the same consistency of pancake batter then freeze it in 2oz condiment cups with lids and just drop them into the bucket, spread a little new bedding or shredded cardboard over the spot i fed them and leave them go for a week or so. my last batch lasted about 6 months. no odor and never any food left over.

[@michaeldvorak8140]

What a great way to readdy a large flow through system I’m building right now. Thanks for sharing this. And now I will check out how ya set these bins up then go from there.

[@mllokie9075]

I just started have 2 batches of 500 one in a small container one in a 50 gallon for fun but have a VermiBag small and the fiancée is buying a mammoth hehe love her

[@Donna_G]

Bentley, thanks for another video. It's interesting to see the different systems that you set up. I keep telling people that you are the worm expert and I refer them to your KZbin channel and your blog. There's always something interesting to learn.

[@TheCompostGuy]

Thanks Donna - this one definitely has some good practical applications. But won't likely be a good choice for people who are keen for a more active vermicomposting system (processing their wastes on an ongoing basis etc).

[@keepingupwiththeworms1565]

Love the idea of set it and forget it bins. I new to vermicomposting (started last Sept) and finally now go about a week before I get curious and check on a bin (have 6). This is great to aspire to at some point :)

[@TheCompostGuy]

It is a VERY flexible approach. How much you "forget it" is up to you so long as you stick to the key principles. It is a great approach if you just want some back-up systems you don't need to think about, or if you want to create vermicomposting cultures (great for stocking new systems). This type of neglect (again, with a few key "rules" followed) is actually much better than going too crazy with a system - but there are plenty of perfectly find zones in between! ;-)

[@isaacwillson8617]

How many worms did you start with? Because I’m wondering how their rate of multiplication is?

[@craigharney946]

they double their population every 3 months or so under ideal conditions.

[@TheCompostGuy]

No specific amount for these systems - literally just used "worm-rich material" since I really wasn't concerned with standardizing anything in this case (just wanted to get some thriving systems going indoors and expand my herd). As for their rate of multiplication, 20 or 30 X population increase in a few months isn't unreasonable. I recently finished a growth trial that saw more than 70X pop growth in 11 weeks. And this is Red Worms. Blue Worms and African Nightcrawlers can likely reproduce quite a bit faster when provided with the right conditions.

[@healthyfitmom]

@@TheCompostGuy I hope you can report on this or post a blog post link?

[@lloydedmonds8775]

Very Cool, I’ve been wondering how long worms can go in your system if left alone. I’ve heard they will eat their own castings when in survival. They are definitely brilliant survivors! Thanks for sharing!

[@WDWormsnGarden]

I don't know if I'd have the guts to let my worms go 4 months unattended. Your worms are kooking good and they still have some leaves to keep them at least another week.

[@TheCompostGuy]

Yeah this was a bit exreme, but these worms are literally designed for this type of feast and famine lifestyle in the "wild". Exactly the sort of situation they need to be adapted for so they can ensure the success of future generations. Pretty amazing creatures!

[@kinsjsmggoiktaylor5659]

Where Did You Get The Containers From.They're The Bins I've Being Looking For.👏👏👏♥️♥️

[@PaulDixon25]

You can get those type at lowe's or Sam's Club, at least where I live. lowe's has them in more sizes.

[@TheCompostGuy]

Got them from Home Depot - but not sure they have the 5 gal ones anymore. Lowes Commander bins are almost identical and I think they still have 5 gal size (maybe not here in Canada but I think in USA anyway)

[@Metqa]

how do you do this and not have a hurricane of fruit flies and gnats flying away with your home? I I don't get it. I freeze my scraps before feeding but I can't seem to have a bin that is not infested with fruit flies. i even made a fine mesh bag to put around my worm bin to keep flies from getting in, however, the bag is actually keeping the fruit flies from getting out, I guess they were already in the food scraps that I'd frozen for weeks before feeding. How in the world? Please, I need some advice. I keep killing my worms because I'm trying to control pests that are invading my bins and then invading my home. I've tried cleaning the bin and taking only the worms and relocating them but they died after transit. My only successful indoor worm bin was one I made from non woven cloth that was the size of an upside down traffic cone and I had a foot of shredded paper on top as a barrier. That was years ago and I've tried a regular bin but keep having failures and infestations.

[@TheCompostGuy]

The key is the "set-it-and-forget-it" aspect. Fruit flies really need a rich, ongoing source of nutrition. They also tend to need fairly warm temps (these original bins started down in a cool basement). Gnats on the other hand CAN be more of a pain - but over time without additional deposits of food (one of the key ideas with this type of system) they tend to really fizzle out.

[@IntoTheOutside000]

This guy sounds like the Yoda of worm farming.

[@TheCompostGuy]

I'll take that as a compliment even if you didn't meant it as one. Cheers ;-)

[@StanOwden]

@@TheCompostGuy You haven't posted a video in over two years. Glad to see your comment from two months ago. I hope you're doing great.