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the worms A plastic box with moistened shredded newspaper in it won't be an effective vermicomposting system without...WORMS! Once you get them, place the worms on the bedding material and watch them burrow. Within ten minutes, they should all have disappeared into the bedding."Red wigglers" are the species of worm commonly used for vermicomposting. Also known as redworms and manure worms, red wigglers thrive in high nutrient environments and like to live close to the surface. They are commonly sold in one pound increments and start at about $15 a pound. Many worm suppliers will ship worms via the mail. Bait shops often sell redworms but offer them in much smaller lots. Remember, one pound of worms will consume one half to one pound of food waste a day. Rather than buying worms, you may want to ask a friend who has a worm bin to share some of her or his worms, or look for them in piles of composted manure. (Yes this may sound crazy, but if the manure is fresh, smelly, and messy don't look in it. It's the aged, less-smelly manure that's more likely to have the worms.) Barring a worm tragedy, you should not have to buy more worms once you get your bin started. In fact, a properly balanced bin will produce enough worms to share with others. Extra worms can be used to start a second bin, shared with a friend, or sold for fish bait. Releasing extra worms into the garden is not good because this is not their normal habitat and will be detrimental to the worms. The worms commonly found in the garden are NOT the type of worms that go in a worm bin. Nightcrawlers and other garden worms like to burrow deeply in the soil and do not like to be disturbed. They will not be happy in a worm bin and will probably die. Do not try to use these worms for vermicomposting unless you are doing a comparative educational study or other designed experiment. How Many Should I Buy? Estimate the number of pounds of compostable garbage you will be producing per day. For every pound (about 1 quart) of garbage produced daily, you will need about 2 pounds of worms. Local Worm Suppliers Discount Mart's Bay Tackle 5815 Cutting Blvd El Cerrito (510) 235-2032 Johnson's Bait 111 W Cutting Blvd Richmond (510) 235-5335 Berkeley Worms (Mail-Order or Pick-up) Berkeley Farmer's Market - Saturdays Berkeley (510) 643-0440 Rainbow Worm Farm (Mail Order) Davis (530) 758-9906 Sonoma Valley Worms (Mail Order) Sonoma (800) 447-6996 |
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