Culturing Nightcrawlers?

[mapdoggis]

I just switched my vermicompost bin (read rubbermaid tote with air holes) from red wigglers to European Nightcrawlers to accommodate my froggies. I bought a pound (300-350) of Euros from European Nightcrawlers since it's on sale and free shipping. All you need is newspaper, egg shells, and leftover veggies/fruit.

Here are some good instructions http://www.co.marion.or.us/NR/rdonly...mBinHowTo2.pdf

I especially like that he does mention that drainage holes are not needed - I don't have them and my compost is not wet, but I don't add water to my bedding (read newspaper) either. I've discovered that the water content of the food I put in there is more than sufficient to moisten the newspaper. So all my holes are in the lid and top half of the bin. Sometimes I get used coffee grounds and I'll mix my shredded newspaper in that which makes it a little moist. But I always have several inches of dry newspaper as the top layer to discourage worms from roaming. As long as they feel moisture, they will keep going until they crawl out your bin and all over your floor!

I have a shelf in my freezer for foods to be fed to the worms - just thaw before you add it. Freezing will kill off a bunch of stuff, so I freeze everything first. Forgotten, freezer burned food is good too. My friends donate lots of that stuff to me. :-)

For calcium and grit I just use a cheap coffee grinder to pulverize the egg shells. I have a container to hold the shells on the counter until I'm ready to use them. If they are still wet I will bake them before I crush them. I add eggshells everytime I feed which is once a week.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to holler.

[Beep617]

Thanks! I've been doing some of my own research, but that's probably the best article I've read so far! As far as "harvesting" goes.. can I just pull a few worms out of the bin for a feeding, or do I have to leave them all and only harvest at one time? I had the impression that I could keep it as an ongoing thing and leave them in there and just grab a few as needed..?

[mapdoggis]

Just grab as needed. I usually look for the ones that aren't filled with poop - you'll see the black line running down their bodies. I rinse and pat dry and even dust to improve grip. I'll chill them (fridge/freezer) as anesthesia so they don't fight back so viciously when being eaten or cut up.

Eventually, the constant layering of food and bedding will fill your bin with "black gold" = poo. I scoop 3/4 of the worms and poo into a big colander, put down bedding and food in the bin, place the colander in the bin on top of the food, replace bin lid. Most of the worms will crawl out of the colander leaving the poo for you to use in your garden.

When you first get your worms, put them in the bin with food and bedding and leave the lid off for a day or two until they settle in. Some people advocate leaving a light on during that time since the worms are light sensitive. I never do cuz the air in my house is so dry, the worms can feel it.

[Beep617]

Ahh that's very good to know! I had no idea what the black line meant! Do you use a mixture of bedding? Or just one material?

[mapdoggis]

I just use non glossy newspaper. When I order crickets, I'll use the egg carton - just put the whole thing in. In the winter, I'll put leaves in if I raked a pile that fall. I'm pretty lazy with the worms. They're just worms. I never understood the point of buying products for the worm bin when the purpose is to save money on compost by making it from scraps.

[mapdoggis]

You may have some vermicomposters in your area. Google, Craigslist, MeetUp.com. I'd look them up and see if u can't grab a cup or two of their compost to get the microbes to jump start your bin. If not you will need to add some dirt from your yard. Just don't be alarmed if some critters hatch out from the dirt though. :-)