Worms
DIY: Build Your Own Worm Bin
Don’t think you have any room for traditional backyard composting at home? We hear that often from residents with small yards or who live in apartments or condos. Have you considered composting with a worm bin? Now, don’t make that face. Worm bins are easy, don’t smell, are a great way to recycle food, and…
Read MoreConstruya Su Propio Contenedor de Lombrices
Crees que no tienes espacio para hacer una composta — jardín chico, apartamento o habitante de condo? ¿Qué te parece un contenedor de lombrices? ¡Vamos, no hagas esa cara! Es fácil hacer un contenedor de lombrices. No huelen mal, son una buena forma de reciclar comida y es muy divertido (a los niños les encantan).…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: What are the white things in my worm bin?
Rotline Question: What are the white things in my worm bin? Answer: Spot something unfamiliar in your worm bin? Don’t fret, you are likely to find many organisms other than worms in your worm bin! Like backyard composting, you will see a diverse, interdependent community of large and small organisms. They serve as food for each other,…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: What are the white things in my worm bin?
Rotline Question: What are the white things in my worm bin? Answer: Spot something unfamiliar in your worm bin? Don’t fret, you are likely to find many organisms other than worms in your worm bin! Like backyard composting, you will see a diverse, interdependent community of large and small organisms. They serve as food for each other,…
Read MoreWorm Care Guide
Keep the lid on the bin to protect the worms from light, to prevent escapees, and to keep flies/pests out. Keep bedding damp! When bedding gets dry, add water slowly. A layer of damp newspaper or coffee filters on top helps seal in moisture. Break or tear food into small pieces to encourage faster processing. Bury food below the…
Read MoreRotline: Is it possible to have too many worms in my vermicompost bin?
Rotline Question: Is it possible to have too many worms in my vermicompost bin? Answer: Red wiggler worms are amazing in so many ways, and population management is one of them. So, the short answer to the question is “No, you can never have too many worms!” Here’s why:As worms adjust to their home, they…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: Why do I need bedding in my worm bin? Can’t I just feed them food scraps?
Rotline question: Why do I need bedding in my worm bin? Is it okay if I just give the worms my food scraps? Answer: Bedding, which can be made of shredded paper, coconut coir, cured manure, or dry leaves, is an absolute necessity in your worm bin. Supplying your wiggly workers with bedding has a…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: Do red wigglers belong in my backyard compost bin?
Rotline Question: Should I put red wiggler worms in my backyard compost bin? Answer: This is a question that comes up often when folks visit our store to purchase composting worms, and we often have to urge folks not to add worms to their backyard bin. The reason lies in the fundamental differences between traditional…
Read MoreComposting with Worms: Wiggling through Winter
Temperature is incredibly important to the productivity and livelihood of worms. Just like us, worms are happiest in moderate temperatures, so they may also need some help to thrive during the cooler months. Fortunately, most of San Diego County rarely experiences freezing temperatures, which can be deadly to worms. After all, they’re mostly water! Nonetheless,…
Read MoreSquiggling into Summer with Worm Composting
Our temperate San Diego weather is usually perfect for accommodating the red wrigglers used for vermicomposting. Their preference is for temperature ranges of 55 – 77° F, but they can tolerate temperatures above and below this range. Temperatures should be measured inside the bin since they can vary significantly from external measurements. As we approach…
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