Why I Recommend the Urban Worm Bag

[@ronaldromyn5754]

Captain Matt I want to let you know that I consider your site to be the most interesting, informative and entertaining site dealing with all things worms on You Tube. I am 73 yrs old and just started keeping two Rubbermaid Containers of red wigglers. I love your videos and thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. Your video about the Urban Worm Bag convinced me that the bag might be the solution to my wanting to step up to a better system of keeping worms. I told my wife about the bag and she purchased the version 2 Urban Worm Bag for my birthday. After setting it up, I quickly realized how difficult it would be for me to use the bag. In my case, having to kneel down and fiddle with Velcro straps, a zipper and a drawstring quickly convinced me that the bag was out of the question. I disassembled the bag and put it back in the box it came in. Having said that, I will continue trying to find a better way to raise worms.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Good to hear from you, Ronald. We share your challenges and have been thinking about how to elevate the Urban Worm Bag better ourselves.

[@mlee40738]

You could just set your worm bag up on s small table. Problem solved.

[@kirkgoingham6095]

Just stumbled upon this channel from looking more into the Urban Worm Bag and, I've gotta say, your enthusiasm is so contagious! Keep up the great work!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hey KirkGoingHam! Good to have you here. Thanks for the feedback!

[@Dee.C]

I love the little song at the end . My Daddy use to say if you love what you do , you never work a day in your life . Sing on .

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Thanks, Dee... that quote is so true!

[@AJsGreenTopics]

The little worm farmer was cool. 🙂

[@DavidCottrell-lb5iv]

Thanks Cap-N for this informative video. I’m Two weeks in on the urban worm journey and found this video right on time 😊

[@Th4thWiseman]

Thanks Matt ✔️ I just finished loading my first compost bin which is 8 cubic metres and are beginning the 2nd bin today another 8 cubic metres, they're side by side and we have 3 horses which produce 1/2+ a wheelbarrow of manure per day =1.5 per day or 9.5-10 wheelbarrows per week = approximately 0.9 cubic metres of horse manure in total. I've layered them from ground up in 4 levels per tier starting with spent hay from round bayles (non sprayed with pesticide/herbicides) @4" thick then, 2nd layer of woodchips of various trees @4" thick, 3rd layer of oak leaves @6" thick, 4th layer of @4" horse manure. There is already thousands of worms making there way through the pile and I'll start harvesting rich compost from it in about 6 months. I've also got 5 worm bins running all at different stages of life cycles and learnt lots testing and trialing various different methods and diets with them to see what works best, from green food scraps,dry scraps,sugary scraps,leaf scraps, manures,grasses, soils of different textures and make-ups. All are thriving and no disease problems whatsoever at all nor any infestations of insects or rodents I believe is due to burying the food supplies and not just leaving it exposed on surface. In the worm bins at the moment I'm estimating approximately 120,000+ in total combined and rapidly expanding every month, they always have heaps of cocoons and tiny baby worms everywhere thankfully. As the population continues to expand I can begin to run the new compost bins I'm doing through the worm bins to finish off product as castings for my gardens which too are expanding month upon month aswell. Also I'd like to point out and confirm to everyone that using worm castings as a starter for seeds and if or when transplanting definitely add in atleast 2 or 3 handfuls of casting per plant and you will instantly notice massive growth and healthy plants with no disease issues and the food produced is exquisite in flavours! Do this folks this works %100 👍 Thanks again Matt for bringing this knowledge further via your channel as others do also, you guys are making a huge difference in the world sharing here on this platform vital knowledge that everyone in my honest opinion needs to know. 👍

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

I have a outdoor greenhouse with a red worms in a bin on two heat mats. What temps should I keep my bin at ? Trying to keep the greenhouse at 60 but she does dip into the 50s

[@cuznclive2236]

Hello from Whitingham, Vermont. Look East; I'm the guy waving to the West as a new subscriber! Silliness aside, I love my UWB. First harvest at 4-months, and one each month thereafter. I feed vegetable and fruit scraps, as well as kashi and ground barley as a treat, or when I see elevated moisture. The majority of carbon is shredded newsprint and carboard to maintain balance. After a draw, I add a layer of coir to establish a separation layer (new bed), which seems to help finish off the remnants leftover from the draw.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hey Cuznnclive! I'm waving back. Thanks for sharing your approach!

[@troydunn6228]

Thank you for sharing.

[@terrieholloway9066]

Thanks!!!

[@hhart6266]

Great video - I was considering whether the urban worm bag was right for me (first timer). I'm convinced now!

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Greetings, Matt, from Windermere, Florida zone 9b USA 🇺🇸 I bought a Can-O-Worms in 2009 with 2,000 Red Wigglers. I harvest about 15lb. a month. I also have 2 Oblong waisthigh Planters where I have a more worms 🪱 that I feed and fluff on a regular basis. I also started a 3 plastic tubs with worms and food and shred. You are so right, Captain Matt, we are only beginning 💓

[@rogerbeck5704]

I own two of the bins and will be harvesting soon. It's exciting to take castings and use them in the garden. Can't wait to use my own from now on. Highly recommend these bags!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Thanks for the feedback, Roger!

[@jazstar7681]

Thank you for starting such a great channel! I'm so glad I found it! 😀

[@lajwantishahani1225]

Very interesting and love how the worm bag works. Thanks!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

You're welcome, Lajwanti!

[@deborahmceckron3706]

If you put a couple of cylinder blocks under the stand you can get to the castings a lot easier. And maybe you able to sit on a chair while you're doing it. Do you sell your worms and how would I be able to buy them. I am looking for red wigglers and European nightcrawlers would like to give it a try on a small. scale.

[@thomaspatrick9111]

Do castings lose their microbes if its stored for the winter season.

[@mpktrucker]

Captain I will take you up on the boat trip … God bless my friend , I love your videos…

[@g4hardcore]

I love you captain!

[@windhamflowers]

Thanks!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Thanks for the generosity!

[@housemh]

May or may not ever have a worm farm... but I really like this guy

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Put the worm farm on the bucket list MH!

[@AlvinMcManus]

Yes indeed.

[@otrdriver5917]

I believe that one could extend the legs on that. To accommodate the 5 gallon bucket plus a little extra room to fumble with the opening and closing of the bag.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Good thinking.

[@northeastworms]

I love the UWB, I have 2 and they are giving me a lot of casting and babies

[@johnknowles6520]

Good evening Captain Matt I would like to know the ratios of your bedding mix you have probable have a video on it and I have not found it yet. I have been using mushroom compost for topping up my raised veggie beds but I question about using it for worm bedding because it contains semi composted horse manure and horses are dewormed 2 sometime 3 times a year. I have read that this can kill my worms? Thank for the great videos.

[@gmo3686]

Ive had the urban worm bag for over 2yrs now

[@newbie_nugs]

Do you need to keep your harvested castings moist ? Like you mentioned if I harvest all winter and leave in a bucket for use on the Vinyard/ orchard/ garden the next March week they stay OK? Also airflow. 5gal buckets with lids ok? Or should it air out frequently

[@brianseybert192]

I am sure the urban worm bag is a great product, I almost bought one. Instead/, I bought 2, 50 gallon grow bags to overwinter my red worms. I produce a couple hundred gallons of castings a year, more than my needs. I use natural bedding, grow wheat grass and freeze a bunch of garden products for worm food over the winter. I am not a large scale worm farmer, just have too many worms. In fact, I found a 5 gallon bucket in the basement labeled "worm castings" from a couple years ago. I no longer put castings in plastic, I use growbags and try and keep them moist. Have to look at those castings I found under the microscope. The best thing I did when I started gardening 4 years ago was raising worms. Enjoy your videos! Stay Well!!!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Grow bags sounds great - do what works!

[@Beartriple7]

11:13 can you go into more detail(I'm just starting out)is it the quantity of castings or quality or both, that is not worth putting in your garden coming from a tier system compared to a continuous flow system, please let me know more about this...many questions are coming to mind as to why such a difference...things like is it better for the worms health to have a continuous flow system? Is it because it mimics nature better than a tier system? Does the compaction have something to do with it? How does the quality end up differing, does the larger area the worms can move maybe have to do with it or less frequent disturbance perhaps because no trays? If its just quantity alone then I understand what your saying, but I would very much like to know the differences as I have been watching so many videos and reading getting prepared to take care of compost worms in the last year and this hasn't been mentioned or covered in what I have researched so far. Thank you for your time Captain.

[@Vermicompost]

Great review and demo Capt Matt!! Steve is a great guy and has done so much for the vermicomposting community!! Love the little helper finding worms for you!!🪱🪱🪱

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Thanks. Agreed. That makes twice now that he's wandered in on filming - so funny.

[@AlvinMcManus]

I'm about to start my first worm farm using the Urban Worm Bag V2.0 this week. I modified your idea of a flow-thru worm farm using a 64 gallon TOTE garbage tote to be the support for my worm bag! If I could upload a photo I'd show you how I worked this out, but it was your video on creating one using the TOTE that solved my problem of having no frame and not wanting to build the wooden frame from the plans that come with the bag. I just cut out the bottom center panel and the cross-tube and hung the bag on the PVC frame made from 1/2 inch PVC. Piece of cake and it will be a very stable platform for my outdoor location under my oak tree.

[@AlvinMcManus]

Just emailed the photo to you.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Thanks, Alvin. That’s great innovation.

[@AlvinMcManus]

@@CaptainMattsWorms You inspired it! I do not think I would have thought of that had I not seen your CFT from the 64 gallon TOTES can. Man that is genius don't kid yourself. I do wish you had placed a mortar pan under the bag (in the UWB video) instead of the cut down bucket. I got mentally scratched up on my wrist just watching you! 🤣🤣🤣

[@dominiquebower3580]

Hi Mat! What mixer is that? In the background, black color. Thanks!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hey Dominique... it's a cement mixer.

[@scrubisme]

I have 4 UWBs and have placed an order for 4 more and am using them to sell castings on a smaller level here in the las vegas area. I would love to have bins like your big ones but space is a serious issue here in the valley.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Sounds like a nice small scale system - working with what you have 👍

[@otrdriver5917]

Would you take that harvest and put it in totes? To hatch out any worms.

[@kadequigley8917]

You recommend it because you get commission on it just like the worm sifter. It sucks because the brockwood worm sifter has a hard time not gumming on the perforated steel screens due to moisture in the compost.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Only when your bedding is too wet. I use my Brockwood shifter at least twice a week and love it. When my bedding is too wet I lay it out to dry and then sift it. For a small business the Brockwood shifter is wonderful

[@alonacayanan8500]

Do we need to fluff up the bedding in the UWB? Newbie on UWB. I have seen others fluffing their worm bins, do we have to even have pletholes on the bins?

[@valeriekushner5003]

That was my question as well.

[@jrobbx]

What a perfect video for me to watch! Your enthusiasm is inspiring too! I started 2 years ago with a plastic tray bin and 400 red wigglers. I now have 4 heavily populated bins with probably 4000 worms. I recently purchased an Urban Worm Bag but haven’t set it up yet. I want to build my own frame so it hits higher off the ground to put a 5 gallon bucket underneath. My question is how to move my worms into the bag from the bins. Maybe I have too many to be in one Urban Bag. I would like to eliminate the trays. My thought is to set up the UWB with fresh bedding etc then add the worms from my trays as they are harvested of castings. Any advice is appreciated.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

That approach could work - you don’t have to worry about having too many worms as long as you feed them… I sometimes overload my bins to ramp up casting production - over time they will normalize their population to the bin size.

[@Idmtnman]

Greetings from Idaho! I’ve learned a lot from your videos. I’m looking for a good source for seeds to grow wheat grass pads, thanks!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

I'd recommend farm supply stores... much cheaper than Amazon. Any type of wheat should work - really any grain can be sprouted, but I've had best results with wheat.

[@t0mt0mt0m]

👍thanks for the great content.

[@larrylemmon4873]

Glad to find you

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Great to meet you, Larry!

[@CoralMan24]

This may be a dumb question but how do you know its a casting over dirt? sorry if its a dumb question but I'm new to this :) Also could you show us how you moisten the bag and how often do you moisten it?

[@lhfagundes]

It's impressive how every worm farmer believes that their bin is wetter than average! I think they're just supposed to be wet.

[@MemesWorms]

Another great video

[@Bongwell420]

I love mine except I have a older one and at one time I loved that zipper for easy casting collections, not to fond of that zipper anymore lol

[@surfcitybusybee]

Love all of yiur videos. I have an urban worm bad that I'm having g lots of fun with, but I battle with the fruit flies constantly. They've infested my bag & garage whenever i open to feed, even though I leave it zipped up. Any tips for preventing them?

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Thanks, Tinkereholic. We just discussed this topic in “Just Worming Up - Episode 2” kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZSXgJufiZZ5Zrs ... Steve at Urban Worm has a good article as well urbanwormcompany.com/how-to-prevent-and-eliminate-fruit-flies-worm-bin/

[@crapsterface]

Gow do you know when to stop collecting ? is there a grate in it or something and it just stops when you got the bottom concentrates ?

[@cldtt]

I have a detached garage & have issues with the 90 plus weather in summer & freezing temperatures in winter. The garage is not temperature controlled. I’m in the 7A plant hardiness zone in Oklahoma. What should I do about the temperature swings?

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Some insulation on a wooden bin might do the trick.

[@rocketman3534]

are you going to have a video on how to start these urban worm bags?

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hey Rocket Man! Urban Worm site/YouTuve has some good instructions and videos for the initial setup.

[@joansiebens5206]

Do you have a list or chart of good or bad food for the worms?

[@michigancody467]

Love the video, thanks for the content. Iv had mine for almost two months is it too soon to harvest?

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hey CODY! at three months it might be worth your while. Too soon and there would be castings, but maybe just not enough to process efficiently.

[@michigancody467]

@@CaptainMattsWorms thank you for that,

[@patricianewman1034]

How no often do you feed your worms? Love be your videos

[@tory464]

❤👍great info and video Thank you.

[@vickibee8451]

Do you know anyone who is cross cut shredding their own cardboard for bedding? Or do you know what kind I need it get?

[@patricianewman1034]

How do the worms live with the plastic

[@tlamelomvungama6341]

I got lots of worms in my garden I've been feeding them cardboard shredded paper and'kitchen remains but they seem to be a bit slower than I expected.. I don't know if I need to try and harvest them from the soil and maybe feed them separately...? Please advice, I don't even know the variety

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hey Tlamelo... Great to hear from you. There's 4,000+ varieties of worms, and only a handful are good for composting - so typically wild worms are not a good fit for farming. I'd suggest trying to acquire some red wigglers.

[@debbiebayamdillon8969]

Very informative video! Thank you. Question: How is the best way to use the liquid captured below the Urban Worm Bag? I'm new to vermiculture and don't know how this compares to Worm Tea. TIA!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hi Debbie! I discard leachate (the liquid that can collect at the bottom of worm bins) and just stick to worm tea for fertilizing. Because it is not fully processed by worms (like castings) it can contain harmful bacteria. If anything, it might be beneficial to pour on the regular compost pile.

[@thehoneybeegarden3149]

Nice video, but his website hasn’t been updated in awhile. Site shows sold out as well.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

I believe the transition between version 2 and 3 of the Urban Worm Bag is underway - it looks like version 3 is available for preorder with a early July delivery.

[@bigcedarranch]

Lovely video. Got mine on FB marketplace for $30!

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Great deal!

[@bigcedarranch]

@@CaptainMattsWorms saw it on there and drove up after like an inch or two of snow… freeway was less then optimal but worth the 2 hour round trip

[@justathought5651]

How much are the big red ones ???

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hi There... Materials totaled about $600 last time I build one. Here's the Big Red Continuous Flow Worm Bin Construction Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLKzFtsW8wBf96ggjG4BkWiSqBnNYhX3C9

[@zentatonic]

I've got some springtails and occasional fungus gnats in my bin - is this normal and if not how do I fix it? btw you're an inspirational person - spreading good vibes and smiles always 🙂

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hey Mountain Mirrors... Thank you! We just covered fungus gnats in the most recent Worm People Newsletter wormpeople.com/dealing-with-fruit-flies-and-fungus-gnats-in-the-worm-bin/ You can also subscribe at wormpeople.com/subscribe/ Springtails have never really been a major problem for me - they appear, but seem to be part of a healthy bin ecosystem from my observation.

[@MordusdepleinairQuebec]

200$ for a bag is my problem with this system. much cheaper with a rubbermaid tote

[@otrdriver5917]

Gravity or atmospheric pressure?

[@michaelbessette8685]

I see that you have one cft with rope and the other with pipe. Which do you prefer?

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hi Michael... the rope was to fix a spacing mistake! Definitely the pipe.

[@trinapearce2131]

I don't see the book links.

[@petercockerill7366]

Where would i find a motor sifter??

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hi Peter, We did a in depth video about the sifter, there’s a link in The video description to the manufacturer kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-aiYNtZbqWhtk The sifter was not cheap, but for me the decision was all about calculating time (and ache) saving into my investment/startup costs.

[@petercockerill7366]

@@CaptainMattsWorms many thanks.🤓

[@carlacampbell2230]

I just started mine. Harvesting looks a little problematic in that when full it's so low to the ground. Would it be beneficial to get it up a little higher before it gets too heavy? I was thinking about putting it up on concrete blocks or something. Anybody else done this?

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Agreed... I've been thinking about how to raise mine as well. Keep me posted what works.

[@michaelbessette8685]

I was born in Troy NY.

[@S4bby743]

Go big or go home! Just playing. I wish you all well.

[@אושראברהם-ע7מ]

היי קפטן מאט. שמי אושר ואני מישראל. אני מגדל תולעים אדומות לשביל היציקות שלהם ואני רוצה להכין מהם גם תה הומוס. איך אני עושה שיצא ההומוס הנוזלי? אשמח ללמוד ממך איך ליצר את הנוזלי

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Take a look at my Worm Casting Tea videos - it’s better to create liquid with castings than to collect bottom liquid (leachate)

[@connecticutwormsgardens]

I love my uwb despite it having all 8 corner brackets break and it falling apart on my floor spilling out 10 lbs of worms..... The video and follow-ups are on my channel. I don't harvest it weekly. Too much of a pain to get down to that level to desire doing it weekly nor do I leave fresh fruit right on the surface because it's an invitation for fruit flies. Design upgrades need to be made if it's being run at full capacity (IMO) Beyond that, I think it's a good product as well. Your worms seem to be thriving in it which is a good thing 👍

[@esava2874]

Great video. But as I’m getting older I see this way of harvesting as more of a PITA…

[@dustinmeadows5234]

I enjoy watching your videos but wouldn't it be better to get the bag off of the ground so you aren't having to get down on the floor to empty the bag? Just seems like there's an easier way.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Right on Dustin... we've been retooling the setup for ergonomics - will share soon.

[@victorm7274]

10:45 I think you meant “urban worm bag’’.

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Hey Victor... thanks for the feedback. My old brain ain't what it used to be... glad my intent was understandable at least!

[@spencersullivan5198]

They should build it with longer legs 🦵

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

That would be an improvement as long as it would not be too top heavy!

[@C-Mo_PuraVida]

This looks like a great system to use But when you say "no other vermacompost is good enough for the garden unless its used from this device"...? In my opinion saying something that preposterous sir, in all due respect discredits your opinion by now sounding like a sales ad. Worm poop is worm poop, it doesn't matter what kind of container or system it comes out of. If they are fed well and properly maintained, The end product is all the same thing, "black gold". With that being said if money was no object I would purchase this and use it but the totes that I found in my attic are working well for me and personally I don't see the need for this If you're on a budget. Thank you for your videos

[@CaptainMattsWorms]

Fair points… intent of the comment was that for garden use, some of the smaller purchasable tray systems will not supply enough castings for a serious gardener. Totes are how I started as well - but processing totes can be more time consuming than a continuous flow approach.

[@richardhilton8847]

Sergant army of USSR, Kapitan I am salut YOU!!!!!!!!!!!and w.and enjoy(PARDON MY ENGLIESH I AM RUSSIANN_CANADIAN,and realy want YOU tallk about worms!!!!!