Wormery?

[tattercoats]

Has anyone out there got experience of running a wormery? I'm getting interested in trying this, and there's a handy little space outside the back door, but I'm just at the asking-around stage, not to mention the looking-around-the-place-to-see-what-could-be-turned-into-one stage

Comments

[eoforyth]

I'm not sure I'd count worms as actual livestock rather than chicken feed :)

[janewilliams20]

Well, chickens are people-feed, so same difference :)

[tattercoats]

As in, beasts for whom I have assumed a responsibility.

But IKWYM.

[aunty_marion]

Wormeries are pretty easy. I've had two small ones (current one is possibly moribund, I need to find money for more worms!), my mum has one (but is going for a smaller one next time). I got mine from a company called West Country Worms, whose site seems to be down at the moment; I can't remember where Mum's came from, but both of us got them through our local councils at a discount. The other place to look (if not buy) is Wiggly Wigglers. Also, you'll need proper 'tiger' worms, not just earthworms.

The stacking trays need to have no gaps (or your worms will escape), and really should have mesh bottoms. The idea is, yes, that you put scraps (not usually meat) into the top, and the worms eat their way upwards, leaving you with compost and 'worm tea' liquid, which can be used as a liquid fertiliser. Every so often, when the bin gets full, you tip it out, separate the worms in the top bit, put the compost in a tub or whatever for use on the garden, put the worms and some food back in the bin, and start again.

[aunty_marion]

Should add, both mine and Mum's are the 'bin' type - Mum's is about the size of an ordinary wheelie-bin, with a drain tap near the bottom; mine is more the size of a medium-sized square office WPB, with a locking lid, and again with a drain tap at the bottom. Mine's the size that was recommended for a 1-2 person household, so you'd probably want a bigger one...

[tattercoats]

Small would be fine to start with, though, as I've not done this before. I have the compost bins for all the rest of the stuff they won't eat (I've read you mustn't overfeed them.) I have a small corner by the back door designated for their place...

Muchly ta for info and links!

[janewilliams20]

My sister tried running a semi-commercial wormery for a bit - I don't know how well she got on (other than that she doesn't do it any more). I can make enquiries if you like? It's always possible that she has an unwanted wormery at the bottom of the garden.

[tattercoats]

Ooh, yes please!

[janewilliams20]

I've mailed her: would have linked to this post, but it's F-locked :(

[siliconshaman]

From what I gather the teeny-tiny little lassos are really hard to tie, but you don't have move more than a fast walk to round them up..

[tattercoats]

See, it's the miniature horses you get to ride around on *while* rounding them up that really appeal to me!

[kathy_songbird]

Would you like some help thinking up some new projects? I am sure some kind LJ people would be able to help you! [sorry, laughing a lot now! *LOL*]

:-)

[tattercoats]

Phooey! And likewise, pthpthpthpth!