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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 7, 2008 9:37:07 GMT 1
Did you know that is why they come to the surface when it rains, because they are afraid of drowning. OH NO! Poor little worms.....how scary......................I feel the same way about water..........isn't that a horrid thought though? It's not much fun being a worm really is it?  |
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Post by bogmyrtle on Jul 7, 2008 9:50:19 GMT 1
Did you know that is why they come to the surface when it rains, because they are afraid of drowning. OH NO! Poor little worms.....how scary......................I feel the same way about water..........isn't that a horrid thought though? It's not much fun being a worm really is it? They escape the water to find a bird waiting for them! It's the cycle of nature though isn't it? It looks easy doesn't it? I think they have some plastic box's with lids on like that in the £1 shop. It doesn't look like you'd get much liquid feed doing it that way tho-I wonder if I'd be able to but a tap kit and put that on? I think down the side of the house would be the best bet for me. Ours is down the side of the house which we have found the most convenient for us. Our paper recycling box is there as well. |
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Post by bogmyrtle on Jul 8, 2008 8:41:04 GMT 1
Did you know that is why they come to the surface when it rains, because they are afraid of drowning. Yes I did know that actually.  Seagulls do a tap dance on grass to fool worms into thinking it's raining to bring them to the surface. uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2OcJstUfD88&feature=related Worms also go deep into the ground when the weather is hot and dry. Ooh The witch, I am so glad that I am not the only one who retains useless - sorry I mean useful - bits of info! |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 8, 2008 9:26:56 GMT 1
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Post by bogmyrtle on Jul 9, 2008 8:45:14 GMT 1
Wormeries have to kept somewhere frost free during the winter too, don't they? Yes they do - greenhouse, garage, etc. I think we will be wrapping ours in some bubble wrap and putting in the garage. I suppose it would be ok outside if you can find somehwere out of the cold and wrap it up. The worms do slow down in the winter so they won't need as much food but I think you will still need to add some so you will still need access to the lid. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 9, 2008 9:48:19 GMT 1
I think the winter conditions you need are the only real drawback actually - it's quite tricky to maintain a frost proof bin but keep the worms inactive, and to still have access. I wonder if the bin would be rather smelly if you got it wrong.....? I wonder, too, if bubble wrap might make it too air tight and damage the worms....you would need to keep a good flow of air, I'd have thought....we'll have to learn from your experience this winter Myrtle - you can boldly go.....etc etc....I'm sure I've said that to you before, but I can't remember for what..   |
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Post by emseypop on Jul 9, 2008 9:51:41 GMT 1
I'll have room in the green house overwinter. I've seen the worms on ebay too, but I think i'll be popping to the fishing tackle shop, may get an extra lb to restock the BG, and give the hens something to do |
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Post by debbiem on Jul 9, 2008 9:56:01 GMT 1
The hens'll love you forever Emsey. Thing is, they'll scoff them so quickly the BG won't stand a chance! |
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Post by emseypop on Jul 9, 2008 10:03:42 GMT 1
The hens'll love you forever Emsey. Thing is, they'll scoff them so quickly the BG won't stand a chance! I'll release them into 'the wild' while the hens are asleep. |
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Post by bogmyrtle on Jul 9, 2008 10:09:47 GMT 1
I think the winter conditions you need are the only real drawback actually - it's quite tricky to maintain a frost proof bin but keep the worms inactive, and to still have access. I wonder if the bin would be rather smelly if you got it wrong.....? I wonder, too, if bubble wrap might make it too air tight and damage the worms....you would need to keep a good flow of air, I'd have thought....we'll have to learn from your experience this winter Myrtle - you can boldly go.....etc etc....I'm sure I've said that to you before, but I can't remember for what.. Was it for the Egret Orchids? Mmm - not that they are excelling themselves this year! I did forget to say - I put some shredded newspaper in last night as I thought it was a little wet. At the same time I aerated it - hands in - the compost at the bottom is fantastic! ;D We are above 1/2 way up the first tray and the worms are doing their stuff just below the surface. ;D And I used some of the liquid feed on the sweet peas last night! The moisture mat is disintegrating - but you can use a woollen jumper (must go through hubby's cupboard tonight!). |
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Post by emseypop on Jul 9, 2008 10:17:25 GMT 1
I think the winter conditions you need are the only real drawback actually - it's quite tricky to maintain a frost proof bin but keep the worms inactive, and to still have access. I wonder if the bin would be rather smelly if you got it wrong.....? I wonder, too, if bubble wrap might make it too air tight and damage the worms....you would need to keep a good flow of air, I'd have thought....we'll have to learn from your experience this winter Myrtle - you can boldly go.....etc etc....I'm sure I've said that to you before, but I can't remember for what.. Was it for the Egret Orchids? Mmm - not that they are excelling themselves this year! I did forget to say - I put some shredded newspaper in last night as I thought it was a little wet. At the same time I aerated it - hands in - the compost at the bottom is fantastic! ;D We are above 1/2 way up the first tray and the worms are doing their stuff just below the surface. ;D And I used some of the liquid feed on the sweet peas last night! The moisture mat is disintegrating - but you can use a woollen jumper (must go through hubby's cupboard tonight!). Would you be able to use a hanging basket liner? 2 for a £1 you know! ;D |
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Post by bogmyrtle on Jul 9, 2008 10:39:11 GMT 1
Was it for the Egret Orchids? Mmm - not that they are excelling themselves this year! I did forget to say - I put some shredded newspaper in last night as I thought it was a little wet. At the same time I aerated it - hands in - the compost at the bottom is fantastic! ;D We are above 1/2 way up the first tray and the worms are doing their stuff just below the surface. ;D And I used some of the liquid feed on the sweet peas last night! The moisture mat is disintegrating - but you can use a woollen jumper (must go through hubby's cupboard tonight!). Would you be able to use a hanging basket liner? 2 for a £1 you know! ;D Don't see why not, great idea emsey, thanks! |
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Post by bogmyrtle on Nov 10, 2008 10:30:32 GMT 1
Resurrecting this thread as I noticed Plocket mentioned a wormery in another thread. Plocket, can I pick your brains please? I have some bubble wrap to help keep my little guys warm (they are all named - Bob!). I have almost a tray full but there is still some food to work their way through on the top of that tray. I have opened the sump again as it is so wet and I thought that would help drain the water through and the top is partly covered to stop some of the rain (although it did blow off last night. They have gone through yet another moisture mat - I have upped the quantity of dry stuff (paper towels, shredded newspaper, etc) as I dont think I was putting enough in. Would I be better putting another tray on yet to help protect the bottom tray from all the water/rain even though there is still stuff for them to work their way through? I mentioned earlier that I was using some of the liquid feed for my sweet peas - well, I have had the best display of sweet peas since I moved to this house (1989!). I kept saying I couldn't grow them here. Hopefully, they will be even better next year!  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 11, 2008 18:02:49 GMT 1
I discovered a wormery at work this morning, Myrtle! What a sorry state it is in too....waterlogged and quite wormless.......would it be better to clean it out and restock it next Spring now, do you think? How warm does it have to be over the winter to still function?
I'm so glad yours is going well - sweetpea eh? Will you try and put the fertiliser on something edible next year??
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Post by bogmyrtle on Nov 12, 2008 9:48:53 GMT 1
I discovered a wormery at work this morning, Myrtle! What a sorry state it is in too....waterlogged and quite wormless.......would it be better to clean it out and restock it next Spring now, do you think? How warm does it have to be over the winter to still function? I'm so glad yours is going well - sweetpea eh? Will you try and put the fertiliser on something edible next year?? Goody - what a great find! I agree, clean it out and restock next spring. The worms slow down over winter anyway and it needs to be kept frost free. Wiggly Wigglers do a 'Rescue Pack' which contains the basics without the wormery - www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/shop/product.html?product_id=100&foldrequest=more&-session=shopper:519E8F7E1b268148ACySFF212267 But you may not need all that - perhaps just the bedding block, some worms and the treats & lime mix? They are normally at the Malvern Spring Show and have offers on as well. Just read some of the reviews on there and I'm glad mine aren't the only ones going through mats so quickly - I thought I was doing something wrong. Actually I probably am! I am thinking about putting in a couple of raised beds for edibles next year - but you know what my thoughts are like. I don't seem to do too well with veg in pots or dotted around the garden! |
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Post by bogmyrtle on Mar 30, 2009 16:28:44 GMT 1
Time to resurrect this thread as the worms are active! I still haven't got a complete tray full but nearly there. I have just been looking at Wiggly Wigglers and I think I need to stock up with some more worms - I have lost a few through the sump (they are in the liquid feed!). They also need some treats as they haven't had any for a long time. I can't be far off from having my first tray of worm compost now |
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Post by maggyd on Mar 30, 2009 16:34:04 GMT 1
Did you see the pink bath full of compost and worms that Toby Buckland had in his garden?
My sister said her compost bin is full of worms!! she as loads of compost to spare she was saying she was going to ask te girl next door if she wanted some ! I told her to bag it and put it behind her shed!! ;D then I can go over and cadge some!!!for my leeks.
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Post by bogmyrtle on Mar 30, 2009 16:37:07 GMT 1
Did you see the pink bath full of compost and worms that Toby Buckland had in his garden? My sister said her compost bin is full of worms!! she as loads of compost to spare she was saying she was going to ask te girl next door if she wanted some ! I told her to bag it and put it behind her shed!! ;D then I can go over and cadge some!!!for my leeks. Was that on Friday night, I missed it, we were at a meeting! I would definately go and cadge some if I were you! |
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