Just separated my worms from their castings. What a job. It took about 2-1/2 hrs and I got about 5 gallons of castings. Not going to wait that long the next time as it's too much work. 
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Separated my worm castings today
- Thread starter Proud Marine Dad
- Start date
It's been several months since I separated them Sick625 and this is the first time I did a full separation since I started the bin in July 2012.
chsy83, separating them is time consuming as I use a Rubber Maid plastic tote. I put them on a plastic sheet under lights and make mounds of the worm castings and wait a few minutes for the worms to go deeper into the piles as they don't like light. Then I scrape the castings off the top of the mounds lightly until I see worms. Then I wait a little more until they dive deeper and repeat the process.
It's time consuming and the shredded cardboard I use as bedding adds to the work as you have to separate it from the castings as well.
chsy83, separating them is time consuming as I use a Rubber Maid plastic tote. I put them on a plastic sheet under lights and make mounds of the worm castings and wait a few minutes for the worms to go deeper into the piles as they don't like light. Then I scrape the castings off the top of the mounds lightly until I see worms. Then I wait a little more until they dive deeper and repeat the process.
It's time consuming and the shredded cardboard I use as bedding adds to the work as you have to separate it from the castings as well.
Hi PMD, what were your results using worm castings? Was it of any added value to your grow or was it a bit of a dissapointment?
I'm looking into making a factory in my compost pile (it's mixed with dirt already). I'd rather not seperate the worms by scooping, just put a shovel in it and tap it (vibrations). The worms will think a predator is near and surface. We used to do that to go fishing, it works like a charm. I also don't mind if there are worms in the compost I'm using, but would like to keep some in the compost pile.
I'm looking into making a factory in my compost pile (it's mixed with dirt already). I'd rather not seperate the worms by scooping, just put a shovel in it and tap it (vibrations). The worms will think a predator is near and surface. We used to do that to go fishing, it works like a charm. I also don't mind if there are worms in the compost I'm using, but would like to keep some in the compost pile.
In other words, you spent several hours today playing 'tag' with your pet worms while frantically scooping and collecting their poop.
You Californee folks are an odd bunch!
Did you take any pictures? I've never seen a 'casting' before. (Ya gotta love any euphemism for 'worm shit.')
Do the little beasties just stick their tail out and cut loose? Are we talking ribbons, little piles, or ???
You Californee folks are an odd bunch!
Did you take any pictures? I've never seen a 'casting' before. (Ya gotta love any euphemism for 'worm shit.')
Do the little beasties just stick their tail out and cut loose? Are we talking ribbons, little piles, or ???
Well since worms don't have a digestive tract or a stomach it is not really poop. It is bacteria that passes through them and is converted to what we call castings.
I didn't have anything to compare it to so I can't say personally. I know enough people though that say there is nothing better organically than quality castings.Pfeffer said:
There is nothing better. Kelp would be a close second.mikeg said:
I just store my separated castings in an open Rubbermaid storage container. There will most likely be coccoons in the material, so I periodically sprinkle a little water on the pile. When I use the material later, I often find quite a few worms that hatched from the coccoons. Do not put on too much water or you will be storing mud instead of castings!
Renais
Renais
Good info. I started up a worm bin about six months ago and lost majority of them died off during my last rain. I had a Rubbermaid unit myself and had drilled holes on the too to give them air. And all the rain fell thru. Opened it up one day and it was filled to the brim with water. I drain the tea that was at the bottom out and poured it into my garden, hedges that I'm currently trying to grow and several fruit tress I have on my property. As well as the remaining water. Like you stated left with pretty much mud. So I added a bunch of dry organic soil and save a few of the worms. Hopefully they can reproduce to a higher number. And since have moved them indoors. Couple question though.
First how do you properly use the compost tea? What part per part am I supposed to use? Full strength or diluted?
Second is coffee groups and expresso grounds good off either compost or soil alternative ? I work at a grocery store with a coffee /juice bar and have been bringing some home lately but they honestly produce or toss yo much away. I can only use so much. But thought that if it can be a soil alternative it would be good to store. Please feel free to add or pm me with any info. Thanks in advance.
First how do you properly use the compost tea? What part per part am I supposed to use? Full strength or diluted?
Second is coffee groups and expresso grounds good off either compost or soil alternative ? I work at a grocery store with a coffee /juice bar and have been bringing some home lately but they honestly produce or toss yo much away. I can only use so much. But thought that if it can be a soil alternative it would be good to store. Please feel free to add or pm me with any info. Thanks in advance.
If you had good quality compost I would say kelp would be more beneficial than vermicompost.Proud Marine Dad said: