Thinking of buying a wormery, are they worth getting?

[Matt84]

Hi all,

I've recently been looking into getting a wormery. I already have a composter however its getting very close to full and taking ages to break down so I was thinking of getting a wormery and then emptying out some of the compost from the bottom of the composter which has rotted down a bit and then putting this directly into the wormery to finish it off so to speak. I'm trying to grow some fruit and veg and I want everything to thrive and was told worm tea(as its called) would be great for getting higher yields.

Has anyone ever used one sucessfully? Are they low maintenance? I have read a few horror stories online saying they dont work and all the worms die.
Anyway i've managed to find this site:

Wormcity Wormery Stacking Wormeries made in England

and it seems to tick all the right boxes, made in the UK from recycled material and it looks quite nice. It is a bit pricey but if it works and it lasts its not so bad.

Any advice would be greatfully appreciated.

[snohare]

I have one, a Can'O'Worms from Wriggly Wrigglers, which I have yet to stock with worms. However I keep bumping into people who have them; some who swear by them, and some who swear at them. The latter seem to just not get the setting up right to begin with, for example siting them in too hot or cold a spot, but the former...well, let's just say I cultivate the friendships just for the "worm wee" they are so desperate to get rid of each summer...that stuff is GREAT plant food !

[smallblueplanet]

Yep search the forum for can-o-worms - lots have them, we do and they're great!

From Wiggly Wigglers.

http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/

[Alison]

Had my can of worms for about 6 years (something like that anyway) and it's fab - absolutely love the thing. The modular bit is very good and it's dead handy by the back door and so long as you don't over feed them to start with and make sure you put plenty of newspaper or card in during the summer (seems to help reducing fruit flies by covering up the waste) then you can't really go wrong. As far as I can tell, most people go wrong by chucking half their kitchen waste in there in the first week and it all goes very manky. Also need to drain off the liquor regularly otherwise the worms can drown - I just put a watering can underneath and let it drain out as it wants. Get one, you know you want to.

[gilwrig]

Before you shell out why don't you try freecycle or freegle .. I got an empty one off there cos someone was upgrading. I just got a refresher kit for about 30quid. Bonus.

[flighty1]

how about making your own. This might help,

Make your own DIY Wormery.

[leah]

I've been thinking about makiing one for a while, no harm in trying I've never got the hang of normal composting, I use a dalek type, haven't got the room for a larger one.

Does anyone know of a site with the steps but with some photos on too?

[oldie]

Try this - How to build a wormery - The Gardeners Calendar I've just noticed there is a sticky in the New Shoots section called Useful Links which has a diy wormery in it

[nerobot]

Have a search on this forum. I built mine for less than £10. It's also modular like the expensive ones you can buy.

Steven

[bShillinger]

My first wormery was just made from a plastic tub with lid. I put it too far into the basement, and I kept forgetting it. Then I got a worm box made for worms--it has different layers. I need to harvest the castings soon. I know I've waited too long. But putting this box at the foot of the basement stairs has worked very well for me, as I can see it when I go down there for anything, and I remember to feed them. One thing I like about the one I bought, is the spigot it has that drips Worm Tea into a container I leave there. That's very convenient and my houseplants really like the tea.

[dominic10]

In February this year I looked at various d-i-y wormeries and did make one out of a box (with holes in the bottom). I hadn't cottoned on to the benefits of the worm tea. U tube has a video - in fact there are various videos. I was given worms from a friend for the box and then my OH bought me a wormery for my birthday and I bought tiger worms off the web but they did seem very small. The worms in the box seem to be getting through the household waste more quickly so not sure what is happening in my other wormery - there are definitely worms still in there. I'm told they are more active in the summer. I've read that if the worms are not happy that they do die - I also looked at the list of definite dos and donts as far as the waste is concerned. I was assured my box worms ate anything so they occasionally have a bit of onion or citrus - my pedigree worms are just given veg shredded up. Just going to check them now...Good luck with whatever you decide.

[babyjohnny]

I have a Can-O-Worms from wiggly wigglers and i'll stand by 100%!!!

its kept by the backdoor ready for any food waste (not citrus/potato peelings/ tomatos) & loo rolls

it might be a big outlay but i think over time it will repay me (had it about 8 years or there abouts)

every week i just empty the liquid into a 1.5 litre empty bottle and when its full I empty it into my waterbutt which then gets watered into the greenhouse, one thing i will say about the wormry is that when it rains it can get very wet so i just lay a sheet of wood over the top (this also keeps the sun off it)







oh and i like fishing......