@Nollie perhaps we can compare notes on wormeries in the months/years to come ... Today I checked on my wormery for the first time after three and a half weeks of leaving it wrapped up outside in temperatures of about -3 to 5 degrees. I was a bit worried about what I'd find, but after lifting the lid the worms were actually wriggling about. It was a pleasant surprise, and suggests they could take even more cold. They probably benefit from the amount of trays now in use (five), I imagine they can retreat into some sort of inner sanctum for cuddling up. A wormcity suggestion is that bread generates more heat than other organic material when composting, so I've given them some slices of bread. The wrapping material itself is a sandwich of pond liner underlay, bubble wrap and underlay again, stitched around two pieces of wood that are clamped together:
I bought myself a Can-O-Worms for Xmas (nobody else was going to!). This model comes with a base reservoir for collecting the worm juice (worm pee plus any leachate from the decomposing organic matter) which is mounted on top of six relatively sturdy plastic legs and then followed on top with two stackable trays. A snug fitting lid with air holes is placed on the top tray. The lid excludes light and confines the worms to the inside (for the most part).
After setting the worm farm up with the addition of moistened coco peat bedding in the first tray I introduced the writhing mass of around 1000 worms. After reading about the different types of worms 🪱 I decided on getting a mix of tiger worms/red wrigglers and Dendrobaena. Both of these worms are recommended for being well suited to a happy and productive life in a worm bin.
At first I had my bin situated outdoors in a sheltered spot in the back garden but I decided to bring it into the conservatory after noticing the temperatures drop to negative figures for a number of days. I was a little worried that the worms might freeze in sub zero temperatures. The worms have been noticeably more visible and active since doing this.
The worms have been in the bin for a couple of weeks now and appear to be well settled into their home. I have been very careful not to add too much food scraps to the farm at this early stage as overfeeding is easily done and is one of top reasons for worm farm failures.
@Hippophae I was surprised by the activity the worms showed after this prolonged cold spell. It has given me confidence that keeping them outdoors with the fleece as above works. My two main considerations for keeping it outdoors are 1) fruitflies are unavoidable (the way my wormery runs anyway) and a nuisance inside (I considered shed and conservatory). 2) the whole wormery is very heavy now, at least 15-20kg, so quite cumbersome to move. You system sounds similar to mine, which also has the tap for leachate and moisture draining; most systems follow this design. Mine started with a substantial amount of coir bedding from the wormery supplier. I started slow as well, as recommended. The whole wormery feels like a single living organism, a bit like an ant colony. Hey, I should think of a good name ...
@micearguers, good idea, will let you know how I get on, when I start it. Prolonged winter chill here, with overnight temps around -3 to -7c, so still holding off buying the worms until it warms up a bit!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
I pulled back some of the bedding today and the worms appeared to be engaging in acts of reproduction. There were a good few of the little bright yellow lemon-like cocoons in the vermicompost too, which suggests that they have begun their first breeding cycle already. Looking forward to seeing some baby worms too.
I got a black recycling bin and drilled holes in it , filled it with some compost and scraps and placed some worms from the garden soil in it hoping they would make more.
After a few months they had all left and I assume gone back into the garden !
Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
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@Nollie perhaps we can compare notes on wormeries in the months/years to come ... Today I checked on my wormery for the first time after three and a half weeks of leaving it wrapped up outside in temperatures of about -3 to 5 degrees. I was a bit worried about what I'd find, but after lifting the lid the worms were actually wriggling about. It was a pleasant surprise, and suggests they could take even more cold. They probably benefit from the amount of trays now in use (five), I imagine they can retreat into some sort of inner sanctum for cuddling up. A wormcity suggestion is that bread generates more heat than other organic material when composting, so I've given them some slices of bread. The wrapping material itself is a sandwich of pond liner underlay, bubble wrap and underlay again, stitched around two pieces of wood that are clamped together:
After setting the worm farm up with the addition of moistened coco peat bedding in the first tray I introduced the writhing mass of around 1000 worms. After reading about the different types of worms 🪱 I decided on getting a mix of tiger worms/red wrigglers and Dendrobaena. Both of these worms are recommended for being well suited to a happy and productive life in a worm bin.
At first I had my bin situated outdoors in a sheltered spot in the back garden but I decided to bring it into the conservatory after noticing the temperatures drop to negative figures for a number of days. I was a little worried that the worms might freeze in sub zero temperatures. The worms have been noticeably more visible and active since doing this.
The worms have been in the bin for a couple of weeks now and appear to be well settled into their home. I have been very careful not to add too much food scraps to the farm at this early stage as overfeeding is easily done and is one of top reasons for worm farm failures.
After a few months they had all left and I assume gone back into the garden !