Adding worms to a compost bin

[kleinerp]

I had a brief go at growing veg last year in pots with some success but am determined to put more effort into it this year. As well as pots I'm going to have a couple of raised beds made with Link-A-Bord.

Anyway, I've just started off my compost bin in the corner of the garden. I got it though my local council - it's one of those black 'dalek' shaped ones made from recycled plastic. I've put it onto the soil and then put in a load of shredded paper and kitchen waste which I've been accumulating for the last couple of weeks. Is there anything else that I should do? Cover the layer with cardboard?

I've also seen from the Wiggly Worm website that one can purchase worms to add to the compost bin. Is this recommended? Has anyone else done this? I'm a bit worried that the wrom will escape out of the bottom of the bin?

Thanks in advance
Andy.

[rhubarbontoast]

I've been wondering about adding worms myself but I think there are two different ways to go here. Worm composters use the worms to break down the heap, while compost heaps basically work on bacterial decomposition. I'm not sure how well the two combine- my compost is breaking down (in a dalek) but there are few worms in there. Things have definiately slowed since the weather cooled. Also compost worms are different from earthworms... I don't know how they arrive in your heap though, without assistance.

Not much help. sorry!

[tricia]

Andy, don't worry about worms - they will soon find and inhabit your compost bin and make short work of the contents.

Tricia

[dexterdoglancashire]

Another question related to compost: I've been digging up old rhubarb roots today on my lottie - can I put these in the compost bin? (Bearing in mind its empty at the moment!) Thanks DDL

[madderbat]

Hi each.
Our experience is that Mr MB decided to go to the fishing tackle shop and buy some brandlings which were chucked into our 'dalek' (love the name) 'pour encourager les autres' as they say.

Only problem is that he won't use the compost to grow things in because it's not sterile! Now he wants to go buy some potting compost ..grrr....

DDL don't see why you can't compost rhubarb roots, we put the leaves in when we harvested it and the slugs seem to love it.

[rustylady]

If you compost any perennial roots (and rhubarb is a perennial) you stand the risk of them re-growing in the heap. Leaves are a different matter, they will decompose. I have two Daleks, but they don't work as well as the square wooden compost bin I made myself.

[nick the grief]

Hi each.
Our experience is that Mr MB decided to go to the fishing tackle shop and buy some brandlings which were chucked into our 'dalek' (love the name) 'pour encourager les autres' as they say.

Only problem is that he won't use the compost to grow things in because it's not sterile! Now he wants to go buy some potting compost ..grrr....

DDL don't see why you can't compost rhubarb roots, we put the leaves in when we harvested it and the slugs seem to love it.

Thats easy MB, put it in a metal biccy tin and stick it in the oven for about 2 hours or so on a low heat , that'll steralize it. Failing that, sarnie bags ata tme in th emicrowave for 1 - 2 minutes but be careful - it gets blooming hot !

[dexterdoglancashire]

Thanks for that RL - I did think that was the case, but wasn't sure. Ta for info! DDL

[madderbat]

thanks for the info Nick, will def try it, probably in low oven rather than microwave. I can remember biology experiments at school, Cooked soil - STINKS!

[nick the grief]

if you do a roast dinner you could stick it in and turn the heat off after 20 mins and just lett it cool down, that should do the buisness. It's just any bugs & seed you want to kill not detroy any vegetable matter

[Pippin]

I too find the plastic bins don`t work half as well as one framed in wood. You don`t have to spend ££££££££`s niether. For mine, I used old wooden pallets.

I dug a shallow channel for three sides, put a pallet in each channel, filled in a bit of earth and tamped it around the bottom of the pallet then put a few screws in to hold them together. I left one side open to add the compost and to build a simple frame to slide planks into. To add mor bays is very easy - just do the same again.



To make a good heap mix brown matter - straw etc... I have a shredder and so thin branches and srub remains also go in - and green matter, leaves, stems etc. Don`t let it dry out and destroy diseased vegetation.

Worms will indeed populate your heap when they get scent of all your yummy grot. Once there and are cosy they will multiply very, very quickly. So that it breaks down quickly turn it over from time to time and put an old carpet over it.



Want anymore photo`s posting... let me know

[madderbat]

Love the pictures Pippin, you are obviously a keen composter!
Hope you enjoy the vine. See you around.

[Digger-07]

I've also seen from the Wiggly Worm website that one can purchase worms to add to the compost bin. Is this recommended? Has anyone else done this? I'm a bit worried that the wrom will escape out of the bottom of the bin?

Andy.

If you have the right conditions in the bin, and it's almost impossible to get it so wrong, the worms will be happy to stay put. If the bin is on soils I ]would be supprised that you had not got worms in there already, if its on concrete they still find their way in but it will take a bit longer.

DDL did you know you have compost gurus in Preston? (I was one). If you have any problems they will visit and put you right. They also give away compost bins. http://www.compost-it.org.uk/index.htm.