Two months have passed since I started the flow through worm composting bin and I could have and do recommend waiting three months before trying to collect the vermicompost from the bottom. Being this is an experiment as well as I wanted to show others how to build a flow through worm bin for under $40.00, I proceeded to collect some vermicompost, which actually looked better than I originally figured within the first two months.
For anyone that has missed the prior posts concerning the making and update of the flow through worm composting bin, here are the links which will open in a new window.
How to build a flow through worm composting bin for under $40.00
Homemade Flow Through Worm Compost Bin Update 1
The first picture illustrates a layer of brown material and mostly gone through green material underneath. You can see the cantaloupe seeds have been growing as I added one last week which is all about gone already. The worms can barely be seen in this picture; however they are doing well with a massive amount of juvenile red wiggler worms now surviving in the worm bin as well.
The next picture shows the underside of the flow through worm composting bin exposing the weed whacker line I used to support the bedding material and food scraps I have been adding. There is a little remainder of the layers of newspaper I used originally to support the base material I was adding. This is what you still see hanging on the left side of the picture below.
You can also see the vermicompost being supported by the weed whacker line. I originally did the scraping of vermicompost last week. When I checked the bottom of the flow through worm bin today, there was approximately two cups of vermicompost which had fallen to the bottom by itself.
This goes along with my theory that the weed whacker line is sufficient to support the material above as well as the weight. You will notice the bow in the weed whacker line, however figuring it is supporting well over fifty pounds of material at present, this is to be expected.
I will post further updates on this system down the road.
Bruce
Bruce,
Ordered your 14 Day Worm Castings ebook and got a confirmation. However, I have not gotten the email to down load the book.
Thanks
Lawrence the apple guy
Lawrence,
You should have received an automated follow up email right after your payment was approved. I have resent the email to you. If you still do not see it please check your spam folder or let me know.
Thanks
Bruce
I tried using red wigglers in the past but that was a small indoor bin. I have graduated to a large outdoor bin by mistake and I love it and so do my chickens and ducks that self harvest the worms. I built your flow thru design bin and I love it. The thing I think I like most about it is that it let’s unneccasary moisture out w/o difficulty. I also like the size, I’m not to fond of smaller bins cause I feel if something is a little off they can’t migrate to a safer area for a while. I have a question about feeding meat and bones to RW. I have an large outdoor bin (9by9)that is surrounded by straw bales and I would like to try feeding fish guts to them. I’m not to concerned with smell or rodents in this bin but can the red wigglers safely eat them after they are decomposed enough? Thanks again for all the help hints on your web site.
Jeff
I have never given any of my worms meat or fish and do not recommend unless…
I know of some that have used the Bokashi composting technique which if done correctly should not put off an odor. The finished composted material is then used in worm bins.
Bruce
Thanks Bruce, Bokashi composting looks awesome. I can’t believe how pumped up I am about composting with worms.
Hi Jeff,
I admire your enthusiasm however I just can’t stifle the urge to write, “Easy big feller.”
Have fun, much success,and keep us posted!
+Frank
Bruce
I have your 14 day book and was wondering the difference between using the 5 gallon buckets v. the 55 gallon drum flow through method. I know the 55 gallon drum would take longer than the 5 gallon buckets. I have access to both locally. I wanted to see what you thought. Also, I wanted to ask you about whether or not I should add castings to my compost bin (I have a lifestyle product I purchase at Sams and have started using it). I think the vermacomposting seems more fun as I am looking to start my own vegetable garden with some of my students (2 graders). I also think from reading your 14 day book that using the vermacompost would greatly help my lawn as I have found the my St. Augustine grass does not grow well in some areas (I assume due to lack of nutrients in the soil. What are you thoughts on what I plan to do. How many 5 gallon buckets should I start with? I was going to build your harvester and start a larger operation so our class can grow a larger vegetable garden. How many african’s should I buy and then raise to increase production?
thanks for your time
Conrad
Conrad,
OK reading through your other comments (I deleted one as pretty much the same questions) I have a solution for you.
Since you are working with the kids at school and I know the schools have been getting more and more cut backs each year… you might like to try this.
First I would go with the 14 Day Worm Castings and setup two buckets. This will give you ample worm castings for your garden and even allow you to use a seed spreader to broadcast over your grass. I would keep this inside either at home or in the classroom.
Next, I would setup some red wigglers in a continuous flow through worm bin and keep outside in the shade. It will be important to keep them in the shade, especially during the summer as when the sun hits it, it will heat up and bake the worms.
Now you have two options, either have the students families save their newspapers, cardboard, vegetable scraps and support the system and in return they get some harvested vermicompost from the red wiggler bin. Or the second option, you support the feed and involve the families in learning of the benefits of vermicompost and sell off to the families, hence making some money for school supplies, a day at the zoo….
Hope this helps,
Bruce
what do you do with your 55gl Flow Through Worm Composting Bin for the winter? do you have to empty it (or move it in side) i live in New England.
as i am not sure it will freeze solid.
Brian
I am in the foothills of the mountains in South Carolina. While we do not get as cold as you we do experience below freezing temperatures especially this winter. Mine is kept year round in a detached garage with no heat or A/C. In the winter I add a little more greens (nitrogen based) which generates more heat. In the summer I add a higher ratio of browns ( carbon based, newspaper, cardboard…) to keep it a littler cooler.
The worms survived well this winter and actually kept breeding and hatching all winter long.
Bruce