What have I done wrong? Worm Bin issues

[turnip27]

Just been to check my worm bin, got a second lot of liquid from the bottom, but the stuff I've put in is just a sloppy,smelly mess inside the bin. It all seems clumped together, I'm worried there's no room for the worms to circulate round, I've tried giving it a gentle mix, but it just looks gross!
Is this supposed to happen?
(Thanks for all the advise so far from various questions elsewhere on this site, and sorry for asking so much, I'm hoping to be able to offer my own advise soon, instead of just asking )

[lez]

you don't say what you put in. you could try mixing in some dryer material like shredded newspaper. if you have put a lot of the same material in at once that could cause it to go wet and smelly. I wonder have you got the worm mix seperate from the drain?. the worms breathe though thier skin and like it moist but not soaking so if it's all congealed at the bottom and water logged the worms will drown. hope that helps maybe to point you in the right direction.

[turnip27]

Thanks, there is a separate drainage layer at the bottom, so it's not actually flooding the bottom of the food waste mix, and I have drained this, so I know it's not backing up. With regards to contents, its mostly food and veg scraps, mango and avocado skins, a few strawberries, toms, veg leaves, just general fruit and veg waste. I have also put in some empty kitchen/loo roll holders, but maybe not enough paper. I'll try putting a bit more dry stuff in.

[Graham S]

How long has it been going? - sounds like you may be putting too much and the worms haven't got going properly yet.

[NOG]

Too much wet stuff, scrunch up some paper and egg boxes and toiet roll tubes and bung it in...but dont add any more organic stuff.

Let the worms eat whats there....before adding any more.

[Two_Sheds]

you must add bedding to the mix ... dry shredded paper etc.

[turnip27]

Thanks for the replys and advice, not had chance to get back here for a while. I added some more paper stuff, and it doesn't seem as soggy, also the bad smell seemed to go, last time I checked it just smelled 'earthy'.

Just wondering about the liquid now, I know its good for the plants, but a bit paranoid I've done it wrong, threw the last lot away because it just smelled rancid, I know its the result of broken down food waste, so didnt expect it to smell lovely, but what sort of odour should it have, I dont want to ruin the fruit and veg plants I'm looking forward to eating soon.

[Buttie]

Sounds as if you are getting to grips with your wormery. Keep giving them plenty of paper & cardboard in with the kitchen waste.
The liquid is fine if you dilute it about 1:10. I use it as a feed for most of my pot plants and veggies.

[NOG]

It will be a brown liquid...and stink.

[Dynamo]

I made my own wormery out of plastic 10 litre tubs, and I placed them on top of old paint tins to collect the juices. So far, everything seems to be going along well, if slowly. I just used any old worms out of the garden, though there is a good selection of Brandling and Tiger worms in there too as well as ordinary earth worms. There's no smell from the tubs at all even though they are very damp inside them. I just added a load of shredded paper into the tubs and that all got soaked in no time with the moisture within. When I lift one of the lids I usually see one or two worms wandering about and as far as I'm aware, none have escaped.

It will be a brown liquid...and stink.

Hmmm. I assume I'm doing things right because as I said the worms are thriving and it doesn't smell at all, but the liquid thats collecting in the paint tins is clear and doesn't smell at all. I was led to believe that the liquid that collects in the bottom is from the mucus that surrounds the worms bodys and is rich in nitrogen and is pretty clear as well.

[NOG]

emmm...I thought it was the liguid out of the stuff you put in....but could be wrong.

[Dynamo]

emmm...I thought it was the liguid out of the stuff you put in....but could be wrong.

Thats probably the case if the stuff your putting in is too wet.