Start A Worm Bin With Low to No Cost Compost Worms!! | Vermicompost Worm Farm

[@Vermicompost]

Below are some of the items I use for vermicomposting & my channel's videos. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you if you use these links. Thank you for supporting this channel! Worm Bins I use: Vermihut 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin amzn.to/3Xs1eGe Urban Worm Bag V2 amzn.to/3XE9QsT 20 Gallon Fabric Grow Pots amzn.to/3EBYhdr 3 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck tote amzn.to/3eKDLhO Other Worm Bins: Worm Factory 360 3-Tray Version amzn.to/3AHnjqK Worm Factory 360 5-Tray Version amzn.to/3tYfWY4 Bus bins amzn.to/3fd8AvP Equipment I use: 12 Sheet Cross Cut Micro Shredder (I use it to shred cardboard) amzn.to/3xYZKYu Magic Bullet Small Blender (to pulverize egg shells) amzn.to/3gwEzb4 or amzn.to/42SQ4w9 (with extra coffee bean & nut blade) Indoor Outdoor Wireless Thermometer for worm bin amzn.to/3wIdXbO Additional thermometer sensors 433 MHz amzn.to/41juD7v Please make sure Thermometer & sensor are the same MHz Additional thermometer sensors 915MHz amzn.to/3WTFgua Please make sure Thermometer & sensor are the same MHz Mosquito Dunks 6 pack amzn.to/3Oe4Sl0 granular amzn.to/42KDtM0 or 20 pack amzn.to/42Br4Kf Kitchen scale to weigh worms & food: amzn.to/3HnOQjg Blue gloves amzn.to/3XsBg5n Spray bottles to mist bedding amzn.to/3Fq23rN Digital handheld Thermometer amzn.to/3EWfC2j Compost Tea Bags amzn.to/3fCb5o1 Solar powered light amzn.to/3nOucAq Reusable Keurig Coffee K-cups amzn.to/3FNXvt6 Other useful equipment for worm farming: 5 stackable sifter with different sized mesh: amzn.to/3S2k184 Cameras & camera equipment I use: GoPro HERO11 amzn.to/3jkRpLa Flexible Tripod amzn.to/3CGTjcF Insta360 GO 2 camera amzn.to/3oxCc80 Insta360 One X2 camera amzn.to/3nqV6hp iPhone 13 Max Pro amzn.to/3nq52aU Canon EOS Rebel T8i amzn.to/3HcBuX6 4 Ocean bracelets I wear Multiple colors to chose from bracelets amzn.to/3HMbHEx Books on worms & worm farming Worms Eat My Garbage amzn.to/3L4FXN2 Where to buy worms: www.TheGardenAndWormLady.com

[@estherfan4021]

thank you, so you use your own paper shredder to shred cardboard. thanks

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Great story, Patrick ❤ I like your Horse Manure 💩🪱💩 idea👍👩‍🌾👍 It's getting hot for the outside bins I'm trying to keep an 👁 👁 on the babies ❤

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you Peggy!! We need our afternoon thunderstorms to cool things down!!! I don't know if the Urban Worm Bag is gonna be able to stay outside but this Outdoor worm Bin is an old pro!! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱

[@indianpatriot4444]

I started Vermicomposting six months back and I got my worms for free. Actually I bought a sack full of castings from a farm and along came hundreds of worms. That’s when I decided to start my own

[@Vermicompost]

I didn't even think of that!! Another fantastic way to get free worms!! So cool to start a bin from scratch like that!!! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch & pass on how you got free worms!!🪱🪱🪱

[@lindaspellman2108]

I found worms will congregate under flower pots. I put a handful of leaves or fir needles under to attract even more. Bricks, doormats, anything that keeps it cool and wet works, but the flower pots are by far the best

[@Vermicompost]

Awesome!! Excellent chance they are compost worms!! I wish I had all these techniques to gather compost worms a few years back!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!! And of course thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱

[@GardeningwithBarchuckin]

Cow pies are normally loaded with composting worms. Horse manure and the bedding is great for compost piles. You do need to be careful of the feed if it was sprayed with herbicides. Looks like another great feeding for the worms. It’s always harder starting with a few worms but it’s neat watching the bin grow.

[@Vermicompost]

Yep!! Lots of way to get free compost worms!! One of my son's Eagle Scout Project was at a Rescue Horse Ranch and they had huge mounds of manure from the stalls. I stuck my shovel in and I found lots of worms!! Definitely need to ask and/or do a seedling test before you trust any manure source, but if free is the only way to go, the time it takes can be worth it!! Totally agree, it takes a lot of patience and is way harder to start with just a few worms!! I think lack of patience is what did me in when I tried to start this bin up the first time! Thanks so much for watching and for passing on all your knowledge Rick!!🪱🪱🪱

[@chantalepick3691]

I started with 10 worms that I picked from my compost pile. From time to time I found another few more. After 3 months they have quadrupled. I had to get a larger bin for them. Following you and your advice

[@Vermicompost]

That is so awesome!!!! It is amazing how quickly their population can explode after the first couple of months!! I'm so excited your worm bin was started for free!! Thanks so much for watching our videos!!🪱🪱🪱

[@joesoutdoorplaces]

My very first worm bin years ago was started with red fishing worms.

[@Vermicompost]

Great minds think alike!! Makes me kinda chuckle at the different times in my life as a kid when I bought bait worms, I could have been growing them and selling them to the neighborhood kids!! Thanks for dropping by to watch Joe!!🪱🪱🪱

[@chantalepick3691]

I keep my worms in my home. It gets really hot where I live. Last year my worm bin was destroyed from 100°f+ temperatures.

[@Vermicompost]

Uuuggghhh!!!! I'm so sorry your worm bin was destroyed by the heat...I really have to watch it here in Florida as well. Two of my worm bins are inside and when we travel I bring the Urban Worm Bag in as well! But with your 10 starter worms from your compost you have resurrected your vermicomposting!!!🪱🪱🪱

[@SonnyVu-d8n]

I buy local worm from lady for $40 with cocoons and casting 1 gallons will find out later

[@Vermicompost]

That's fantastic! Be sure to feed them less than you think you should at the beginning, especially if there are just cocoons with no worms. Good Luck!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱

[@Adnancorner]

Mold is digesting the cellulose which bacteria cannot digest.

[@Vermicompost]

What an amazing eco-system we have going in our worm bins!! I'll be thinking about this as I toss in my moldy coffee and fruits!! Thanks so much for taking the time to watch & pass on the info!!🪱🪱🪱

[@estherfan4021]

enjoy greatly, thank you. where to buy the shredded cardboard ?

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you!! I use my 12 sheet, MICRO, cross cut paper shredder to shred my cardboard. Here is a link to the updated version of my shredder: amzn.to/3xYZKYu and here is a link to a video where I show you how easily the cardboard gets shredded by my paper shredder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIO7iKeEiZ6DidE I get the cardboard boxes from my grocery store or from packages that are delivered to my house...my mom also saves here cardboard for me! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱

[@nickthegardener.1120]

Hi Patrick using toilet roll tube’s could be a great way to harvest castings.💡great start up story.👍🏻🤠💗🪱

[@Vermicompost]

Thanks!! They really filled up those tubes!! I think they really like to hide in things...maybe an instinctive thing to try to hide from moles and other critters trying to get them in the wild??!? Thanks for watching Nick!!🪱🪱🪱

[@RosWigglers]

My chickens would love those black soldier fly larvae!

[@Vermicompost]

Yes!! I wish we could have chickens in our neighborhood!! Thanks so much for watching & for your support!!🪱🪱🪱

[@wildjane2010]

I was thinking the same thing. Lol Mine would also love all the worms. My baby turkey could probably eat a thousand a day. Lol

[@NanasWorms]

Between your Florida heat and moisture, no wonder you boosted the fungus / mold with all the cardboard in the bin, Patrick. I've never heard of anyone losing worms in a mold-rich bin! ~ Sandra

[@Vermicompost]

Very true!! If I can keep the bin looking like that every time I open it up I will be a very happy worm farmer!! Thanks so much for watching Sandra!!🪱🪱🪱

[@A-V]

Man! Those worms in the horse manure were so nice & chubby. Visiting a horse farm and collecting worms is something I'd really like to do some day :)

[@Vermicompost]

I know!! Before I filmed we turned over the pile once and there were so many chubby worms in there!! The video I took didn't do it justice!! One of my son's did his Eagle Project at a horse rescue ranch & they had several 10-15 foot mounds of horse stall waste/manure mixed with hay. I stuck my shovel in and there were lots of worms to be found!! Kinda wish I knew this a lot earlier! Thanks for stopping by to watch AV!!🪱🪱🪱

[@PlantObsessed]

Good story. The 90 worms called in their friends during the winter.

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you!! 😂 They were definitely trying to recruit!! I can't remember if the bucket I put them in had holes or not, but I want to say it didn't...the surprise I had when I failed at a worm bin, but a bucket full of weeds and old potting soil produced worms was humbling!! When in doubt leave your worms alone and they will be fine!! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch Ann!!🪱🪱🪱

[@lcm0578]

I'm just wondering if you have harvested casting from this worm bin; do you have a video?

[@Vermicompost]

I actually harvest castings from this bin almost every time I feed it. Here are a few videos on how I harvest it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hICuk3ptmsZ6Z7c and kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6ano3irZ9qWfrc and an oldie but goodie kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX65f3ihapyCiNU It took several months to get to the capacity that I could harvest this often...really a build up of worms and microbes is the key. I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱

[@lcm0578]

@@Vermicompost THANK you so much for answering and suppling the links. Fascinating system! I haven't watched as many of the videos on your outdoor worm bin because I had a tote bin. It was way too wet and goopy (my fault) to harvest easily. I have switched them to the Vermihut but wondered how you got the casting from the outdoor bin. Thanks again!

[@Vermicompost]

My pleasure!!

[@tory464]

❤👍 mycelium !! I get it with my ground up Quaker oats. ( worm chow) I'm trying too get more! Inoculate my worm castings with mycelium. ( love me some BSF larvae) The composting machines!SHREDDERS!❤👍Keep up the great work!❤👍 so I know when too check my worm bin. I do it the same time as you.🤣✌

[@Vermicompost]

Yes!! I can't believe I didn't mention mycellium as I was looking at it in so many places!! I saw so much on the top few inches. Now that you mention you get it with your ground oats, I wonder if the worm chow mixed in with the bedding led to all that mycelium in my bin??!? I was surprised I didn't see any BSFL this time but I know they'll be back as it heats up around here!! I try to feed every 10 days but it seems like 12-16 is the sweet spot for me now!! Thanks so much for watching, for the encouragement, and for passing on your knowledge!!🪱🪱🪱

[@juntjoonunya9216]

Why ammonia?

[@Vermicompost]

Ammonia is one branch or cycle of the nitrogen cycle and not the one we want the food scraps to go down. It is extremely toxic to the worms and they will try to flee a bin before they die from it. I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱

[@Danimarkali-pp4fp]

These big fat worms you found in horsemanure. What type worms is that? And are they better composters than Red wiglers?

[@Vermicompost]

I'm not exactly sure what kind of composting worms those were in the compost/manure pile but the majority were most likely red wigglers. The big chubby one looked to me like a European Night Crawler at first, but I can't be sure. If you're just looking for compost worms to make worm castings then red wigglers or a red wiggler, ENC, blue worm mix works extremely well for a good range of temperatures. I've found that the number of worms is the biggest factor in how fast they can compost, so big fat ones aren't necessarily better if you only have a few. They may lose their chubbiness as well. Any worm you find in a manure compost pile is almost surely a compost worm that you can use in a worm bin and will make for a great ever increasing population! I hope this helps!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱

[@evelynknight5627]

This is so immature of me, but now I gotta say it... The toilet paper roll filled with castings is literally a poop tube. 🤣 Fun getting the backstory behind these worms! And a field trip!! Those worms were HUGE! 😱

[@Vermicompost]

😂🤣😂 That's pretty funny!! Yes, those were some well fed chubby worms!! Thanks so much for watching & for the good chuckle!!🪱🪱🪱

[@sandyjoao4489]

Thanks Patrick for this great video. Especially the outdoor bin.

[@Vermicompost]

My pleasure Sandy!! I thought you might like to hear how your favorite worm bin of ours got started!! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱

[@thenodiggardener]

We're looking at changing our garden around at the bottom somewhat. My Son has his idea, and I'm sat here planning more Worm! lol

[@Vermicompost]

You can never have enough worms or worm bins, am I right??!?😂🤣😂 Thanks so much for stopping by to watch!!🪱🪱🪱

[@thenodiggardener]

@@Vermicompost Absolutely! lol

[@flowerfolkfarm3553]

Oh wow Patrick !! You started with 30 worms?!? Hahaha I’m not surprised you felt the need to get more 😆 and now look how many you have 😊 isn’t manure the best?!? Since I’ve been working with manure, mushroom compost and the recycled carpet, I have seen a HUGE ballooning of the worm population:) they are the stars of the garden that’s for sure!!! Thoroughly enjoyed hearing your wormie journey! Thanks for sharing!!! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend guys, take care xx 💐🌻🌷💓

[@Vermicompost]

Helloooo Anita!! Can you believe that... only 30 worms and boy did I screw it up!! 😂 I definitely learned a lot by doing!! I need a little trailer or something to attach to the roof so I can transport some manure to my compost pile! I've thought about putting it into some 5 gallon buckets and transporting it in the car, but Autumn would absolutely kill me 😂🤣😂 Even with a lid I think the smell would be overwhelming!! That's awesome you've seen a huge worm population explosion with manure, mushroom compost & the recycled carpet!! Thanks so much for taking the time to watch another video!! I hope you have a wonderful start to your week!!🪱🪱🪱

[@flowerfolkfarm3553]

@@Vermicompost I’m still laughing a little bit at worm jerky 🤣🪱😬 been there, done that!! Take care guys x

[@Vermicompost]

@@flowerfolkfarm3553 😂🤣😂

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

The chicken is gooooomnnneee😂 Great tips on sourcing worms. I'm thinking the breathable fabric probably makes it the easiest/least risky option, being able to off gas if parameters get out of whack ? Btw I believe I've seen your first video:) Cheers Brother Jason and Colleen 🌱🪱😊🇺🇸🤜🤛

[@Vermicompost]

The breathable fabric worm bin is awesome on so many levels...I really can't believe it hasn't degraded to any extent! It can certainly exchange gas and ultimately I think if they wanted to the worms could jailbreak through the bottom side stitching. You were definitely one of only a handful to watch my first video (and all those that followed) Let's go!!!🤜🤛 Thanks for watching!!!🪱🪱🪱

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

@Vermicompost but that's the thing, having breathable fabric prevents all "jailbreaks", with the exception of heat and too little moisture.

[@Vermicompost]

@@clivesconundrumgarden Exactly, this bin is too easy, jail is too nice...no one wants to leave!!

[@heatblast3771]

have you tried nuts in the worm bin before ?

[@Vermicompost]

I have!! In this video I start an experiment with several worm chow ingredients and pine nuts were one of the ingredients: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2WrioWDqamlgbc Here is the update and some surprising results: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2qoqGCLqtF4b9k I think other more common nuts like cashews, peanuts etc. will work the same way but I don't think I have tried them yet. I hope this helps! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱

[@RedWigglersFarmCom-jc5oy]

Great video! Thanks for sharing

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you!! I appreciate the great feedback!!🪱🪱🪱

[@Maplecook]

Here for it!

[@Vermicompost]

Awesome!! Thanks brother!! Next experiment...feeding worms banana bread!! 😂 That was a great video you released today!!🪱🪱🪱

[@Maplecook]

@@Vermicompost I'm so grateful that you enjoyed my video this morning! Cheers! =)

[@FA-yk9lj]

What type of worms are these?

[@Vermicompost]

I have red wigglers in my worm bin. When I went back to purchase more the lady that sells them took me back where she grows them and she basically had an area where she spreads aged cow manure and it was packed with red wigglers that she then put in styrofoam cups to sell! Thanks so much for watching!!🪱🪱🪱

[@FA-yk9lj]

Do you know the temperature of the bin at this time of year? Isn’t it too hot for the worms?

[@Vermicompost]

My Outdoor Worm Bin actually stays outside all year and I live in the Tampa, Florida area. I keep it directly on the ground in an area that is shaded most of the day. I think the fact that it is on the ground and shaded/covered helps to take the peaks and valleys of temperature extremes away from this bin. The bin temperature in the summer is typically in the mid 80's℉ or 30℃. The only time I run into heat issues with this bin is when I accidentally create a hot compost pile with the foods I feed. I've learned to avoid rice and too many slow foods in the summer as they tend to heat up the bin. I hope this helps!! I was really surprised that first summer when I didn't see the temperatures get too extreme!! Great questions!!🪱🪱🪱

[@FA-yk9lj]

@@Vermicompost Thank you for the answer🙏 What foods do you recommend that would not heat up the bin in the summer?

[@Vermicompost]

@@FA-yk9lj Start with foods that you know they will eat quickly like melon or lettuce stalks that have been previously frozen, and avoid rice or lots of coffee grounds or whole bananas etc. Start with small amounts and check on the bin (especially on days 2 though 5) for heat by simply placing your hand on the top surface of the bedding to detect heat, no need to dig down. As long as your bin is big enough, like this one, then the worms will be able to flee any heated up zones, but heat in general after a feeding can mean you are feeding too much, so just back down on the feedings and/or increase the frequency with smaller amounts of foods. Hopefully that all made sense!!

[@KoLuX57]

Can I give worms dill waste, i.e. stems?

[@Vermicompost]

Yes, I have given my worms dill stems after pulling off the leaves. It just takes them longer depending how woody the stems are. I say throw it in your bin and see how it does! If anything it will help to give it structure and air. I hope your worm bin is doing well!! Thanks for watching!!🪱🪱🪱

[@KoLuX57]

@@Vermicompost There are already quite a lot of worms, but every now and then I see new cocoons and a lot of these tiny worms

[@Vermicompost]

Fantastic!!

[@dirtyjoesworms]

Awesome road trip to the horse farm. The worms and bin look amazing. They devoured everything. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day my friend.

[@Vermicompost]

Thank you Dirty Joe!! This worm bin is really performing well!! That was a fun trip to the Horse farm!! Thanks so much for your support!!🪱🪱🪱