Outdoor Worm Pits

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Hi Jay et al

Are these pits dug out in the ground? (I will devour the archives all about when I am ready to begin).

Also can the worm communities handle being unattended for 4 to 6 weeks at a time, and a 4 month pause in "care" in winter?

If this is the case, I'll be able to get the worm world going 2 years earlier.

Thanks in advance.

-- Rick in Southwest WV (Rick_122@hotmail.com), May 11, 2002

Answers

If you dig a pit and stock it and dont put containment shields, they'll migrate naturally, but may also be susceptable to preadetors.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), May 11, 2002.

Jay,

I have plastic tubs which were once filled with cattle protein "blocks". Can I use them for worm "beds"? Do I need to drill holes in them for drainage? Can I leave them outdoors under trees?

I have tons of worms on my place. No matter where I dig the shovel is full of worms. Some of them are very red. Are they what you call *red* worms? Tell me how to set up the plastic tubs so I can have the worms turn newspaper and tablescraps into compost.

-- Granny Hen (cluckin along@cs.com), May 14, 2002.


Jay, what do you mean by containment shields?? I am wanting to start pits under my rabbits in the barn. Do you think I would have predator problems there?? What kind of predators are we talking about?? Is all this handled in the archives?? Maybe I should check?? Can I use my own "wild" worms that I find in the garden or should I buy some red ones at the bait store?

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), May 14, 2002.

Granny,

The plastic tub not being a "natural" environment does need ventilation and drainage accomodations to ensure the worms health. Yard worms can be used , however , they are generally " burrowing "earthworms. Red wigglers are what is commonly called manure or dung worms and are commonly found in piles of composted manure. I have a mixture of both in my compost bins as I preprocess the feed amendments and they all feed seditarily.

Diane,

I use platic mesh screening as containment barriers on my outside pits to ensure the worms don't migrate out and preditors don't dig in and feed on my bait sale inventory overflow.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), May 15, 2002.


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