Any vermicomposters here?

[Nords]

No, technically that refers to composting using worms, not composting the worms themselves.

A local entrepreneur is selling vermiculture kits whose earthworms are fed compost. The idea is that you have the stack of containers in your kitchen and dump the scraps right there in a system that maintains itself on a few pounds of food waste a week. We already compost, but this will save us a little storage and eliminate those long walks to the back of the yard. The setup is supposed to be odorless. The "cool" factor, to say nothing of the science-project potential, is pretty high.

I know composting isn't hard-- we've been doing it for a couple of years. But is anyone feeding worms in their kitchen?

[Sheryl]

I was really interested in doing this until I read the book, "Worms Eat My Garbage," and it suddenly seemed a lot more complicated than I'd thought. The kit might help, though.

Here's the book: http://tinyurl.com/y48gle

Let me know if you want to borrow it.

[honobob]

OK! Yes, I am a worm wrangler. Been doing it for a couple of years, composting for 20+. I got my worm factory, worms and all, free on Craigslist. I have a large raised bed garden that I use the compost, castings and tea. Mine's outside but I keep an inside container to fill for everyother day feedings. I've never noticed an ordor and would be comfortable trying it inside but I'm out with the dog everyday and checking on the garden so not much reason to have it inside.

I pretty much feed it and forget it but could see that I could get competitive if challenged. I would not use any animal waste as I had a maggot infestation when some meat got in by accident. My garden is completely organic and I credit my compost and castings for my abundant yield.

[Sheryl]

Hobnob, do you have any problems with critters? Our urban neighborhood has so many skunks, possums and sometimes rats that I worry keeping this sort of operation outside would attract them.

[honobob]

Sheryl
No problem here. Plenty of wildlife, I'm about a mile from SF Bay. Compost bin is Smith & Hawkins (covered top and bottom) Worm Factory is up on concrete blocks and has cover and I usually place a brick on top.

Oh, and my critter catcher is on patrol, A Jack Russel Terrorist. She's basically on mice and mole duty, but since you should only use vegetable waste I don't think it's that much of an attraction to skunks, coons or rats.
At least not here. The only problem I'll get in the garden is birds going for the tomatoes so I net when they start to ripen. You'll be amazed at how your garbage output is reduced.

[Mr._johngalt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by honobob Sheryl No problem here. Plenty of wildlife, I'm about a mile from SF Bay. Compost bin is Smith & Hawkins (covered top and bottom) Worm Factory is up on concrete blocks and has cover and I usually place a brick on top. Oh, and my critter catcher is on patrol, A Jack Russel Terrorist. She's basically on mice and mole duty, but since you should only use vegetable waste I don't think it's that much of an attraction to skunks, coons or rats. At least not here. The only problem I'll get in the garden is birds going for the tomatoes so I net when they start to ripen. You'll be amazed at how your garbage output is reduced.

DW took her 3 Jack Russells with her when she left, but while they were
here all "varmints" entered their zone at their peril. They would kill
anything smaller than themselves on sight and occasionally tried to kill
each other. Feisty little rascals.

JG

[Nords]

Yeah, Sheryl, I looked at that book too and wasn't encouraged. Perhaps it's overengineered-- I still run into an occasional compost zealot who insists that it can't possibly be done correctly without daily turning, watering, and so forth. But the local worm seller has been doing a lot of seminars & demonstrations so I bet it's been dumbed way down.

Thanks, Bob, I'll have to check our local Craigslist. We apparently can't import worms so things might be a little pricey. (http://www.waikikiworm.com/5wwcanow.html) But our compost pile is supporting a family of mongoose and the occasional cane rat so a sealed container seems like a good deal. No more watering & turning the compost pile, either!

Quote:

Originally Posted by honobob The only problem I'll get in the garden is birds going for the tomatoes so I net when they start to ripen.

Our tomatoes have been bird-free this year-- I strung an old CD on fishing line to blow in the wind across each row of plants and could actually let the fruit ripen on the vine.