Worm Compost – Worms Escaping?

I have a worm compost that I am trying to start, and my worms are trying to escape! They have been trying for a while, but it was just a few ( like 10 per day). This morning, however, there were two HUGE clumps of them near the top of the bin. Fewer were trying to escape through the drainage holes in the bottom. I did notice that it looked like little particles of sand had spilled through the bottom, and I did not put any sand in the bin, so I am concerned about them. I recently had to re-start my bin because it had become infested with fruit flies to the point where their eggs were everywhere and it was very bad. I got that figured out, and re-started the bin with fresh newspaper and some dirt etc. Maybe the sand came from the dirt, as our soil is rather sandy. They aren’t eating the banana peels that I put in there for them (literally, there were no worms on them this morning, and I put them in two nights ago) and they were all at the top of the bin.

What am I doing wrong?

If you are not using Red Wiggler worms, that could be your problem. Different types of worms have favorite foods and habitats and Red Wigglers are definitely the best worms for composting. The most significant characteristic of Red Wigglers is that they like it dark and they hate the light, so during the day, they are going to want to stay in the bin. Some other worms are accustomed to light, so they may feel free to leave. Red Wigglers also have an ideal digestive system for composting.

I have heard that occasionally Red Wigglers will even try to escape when they are first put into a new environment (usually after being shipped), but they settle down quickly. You can try keeping a light on at night until the problem subsides.

I wouldn’t worry about the sand – it will actually help the worms digest what they eat. If you didn’t cut up your banana peels, try that. Worms will eventually eat it, but they do like smaller pieces.

Good luck.

Posted on October 30th, 2009 by admin and filed under worm compost | 2 Comments »

Hydroponic Cultivation Techniques for Indoor Cultivation

Many indoor growers have utilized hydroponic methods to measurable success. By cultivating plants only in water that is filled with nutrients specifically designed for them growth can be maximized.

All types of plants require nutrients to grow and flourish. Most species have a specific concentration of nutrients that are ideal for them and can promote optimum growth. Many types of growing plants will even have changing nutrient needs as they develop.

The reason that indoor cultivation with hydroponic watering systems are so effective is because they allow growers to provide whatever nutrient solution is best for the crops they are raising, providing the same degree of nutrient delivery with soil mediums is extremely difficult.

Soil is too cumbersome to always recycle and determining whether nutrient concentrations are correct throughout it is not possible. The option to alter nutrient ratios whenever sets hydroponic methods apart from other cultivation methods.

Hydroponics can also help growers provide the right amount of water for their growing plants. Plants need a minimum amount of water to survive. Most species also have a maximum amount of water, anything over that and it could kill the plants.

Plenty of plants have specific water levels they require throughout their growth; an overabundance or not enough can impede growth.

While growing with dirt, whether indoors or outside, it is hard to control the water available for your plants. With methods it is a cinch to precisely alter the water that is available for your crop.

Just by switching up or down and adjusting the rate of flow for your hydroponic system you can dictate precisely how much water and nutrients your plants receive.

For gardeners who do not have a suitable garden outdoors or who would like to grow very highly quality plants indoor cultivation with hydroponics is an excellent option. It can be used to cultivate just about any species you would like.

The writer has many year of indoor growing experience with hydroponic systems and knows about the ever expanding variety of indoor garden methods and supplies including growing lights

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Posted on October 30th, 2009 by Rebecca Whitten and filed under horticulture | No Comments »

The Compost Tumbler As The Best Compost System

Bury your problem of where to throw the perishable waste materials by composting. Compost is consisting of waste materials like dried leaves, kitchen food scraps, vegetable and fruit scraps, dead flowers, and other perishable and decaying items. These materials are then used as part of the decomposition process. The process is done by mixing them and keeping them damp by adding water, soil, and the combination of these waste materials. The entire heap is then turning about every other week and in two months time it produces fine rich compost. This is how compost works.

The compost tumbler is a superb piece of equipment that can assist the self-sufficient gardener in making the waste materials into useful fertilizers for the garden. It provides both benefits to the gardener as well as to the environment as a whole. It gives a good sense of balance between nature and the ecosystem. A good gardener can have his own way of making this rich and good compost by using a compost tumbler.

A compost tumbler has a lot of advantages as compared with other compost systems available in the market. Some of the common features of the tumbler include the easy locking latch, double wall construction and the vents. It is effortless to turn, and you can quickly transport it to your garden. It is garden equipment that provides a speedy, neat and clean processing of the compost materials.

Some of the best compost tumblers in the market are the tumbleweed, spinning horizontal typed, envirocycle spinning tumbler composter bin and a lot more. These different compost systems are designed to meet your expectations. They are made of high quality materials using the best composting technology today. They make composting processing easier and effective.

And one of the best reasons for purchasing one is that it not only helps in conserving the environment but it saves more time, energy and money. Imagine making the plants, vegetables, and fruits in your garden healthy looking, bountiful and abundant by owning a compost tumbler. You do not have to spend a lot of money in buying expensive fertilizers because the tumbler is the answer to all your garden needs. That is why buying a compost tumbler is a must for any gardener.

You might need organic plant food and fertilizers for your growing plants. One good way to furnish these is to secure compost tumbler that will help you produce what you need for your plants and at the same time help you cut costs on expenses. Having this will prove beneficial in the long run. Visit www.ourcrazydeals.com to know more about it.

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Posted on October 27th, 2009 by Benedict Perez and filed under compost | No Comments »

An Easy Way To Compost

One of the true thrills of gardening is making your own compost pile. In addition to this you will need to handle plants, soil, rocks, fertilizer and soil conditioner. A pair of gloves will not only come in extra handy it will be a necessity.

Composting is the process by which materials that are destined for the landfill are used to create nutritional products for the garden and lawn. Compost is a soil-like substance that will function as a soil conditioner, a mulch and fertilizer. It will feed your garden the microorganisms that plants need to grow healthy and strong.

It is best if the compost pile is located near your garden and at the same time has enough concealment to not affect the overall look of your garden. You want it to be close to the garden for convenience but you do not want garden visitors to see the compost pile. A corral or a fenced area would do fine.

After you set up your composting area you begin the compost pile by arranging a 3:1 ratio of brown and green materials. Green ingredients contain nitrogen the brown ingredients contain carbon. Together these components make up the foundation of a compost heap. The green organic items of gardening include grass clippings while the brown items are the dry leaves and other wood products.

If you are concerned about the bad smell that would come out of your compost pile, don’t worry about it. If you have the right combination of green and brown material you do not have to worry about a bad smell. Compost will have an earthy smell and it will not smell like rot.

One way to insure that your compost pile has the right combination of green and brown material is to collect a nice gathering of material before you make your compost pile. When you are ready to make your pile start with a one part of green material and follow it up with three parts brown material. The next layer should be some very course material such as twigs or straw, aeration between the layers is very important. Think of a composting lasagna.

To get the process started quickly add some already composted material. This will help to start the process and introduce microbial activities in your compost heap.

Make sure that you add enough moisture to the pile. Dampness in the compost pile will help quicken the breakdown of the organic materials . Think of a damp sponge.

If you are concerned about the environment then you will be for a compost heap. This concept is about giving back to the land what it has already given you, and starting a compost heap is the best way to do that. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

categories: kitchen compost,compost,compost crock,envirocycle composter,compost tumblers,compost waste,compost maker,compost barrel,garden composting,how to make compost bin,what is compost,worm compost bin,make a compost bin,urban compost

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Posted on October 25th, 2009 by Steven Allen and filed under compost | No Comments »

Do you have a compost heap, worm farm or both?

It makes such a difference to the garden – I can’t believe people would put their kitchen and green waste in the garbage (obviously unless you live in an apartment)

Yes I have both however I also have an extra that I call my ‘Garden Soup’. Garden Soup consists of a large bucket with a lid filled to the brim with ALL your green waste, bulbs – yes onion weed bulbs and oxalis all go into the bin. Fill with water and let it sit for about a week or so, your nose will tell you when this is ready. Smells just like fresh horse manure. You may need to water this down a bit, me – I just water it on straight. My household only puts our garbage bins out once per month. You should see my garden, and I live in Qld. We are on Level 3 water restrictions- bucketing only.
Oh…some people don’t know that you do not put dairy and or meat products in your compost.

Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by admin and filed under worm compost | 14 Comments »

Indoor Kitchen Composter Review

Shawna Coronado reviews and discusses the benefits of an Indoor Kitchen Composter from Clean Air Gardening (www.cleanairgardening.com).

Duration : 0:3:57

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Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by admin and filed under kitchen composter | 1 Comment »

Help! There are worms coming from my compost bin, why is this happening and how can i fix it!?

We have a closed/animal proof compost bin outside in our backyard. This is our first time composting, so we’re newbies. We haven’t had any problems with it until lately we’ve been noticing black worms in our backyard! Now, especially that it’s raining, they’re everywhere!! What is going on?!
edit: i think these worms are actually "black soldier fly larvae" either way, what should i do to get rid of these pests?!

You want worms in your compost, they help break it down.

You only get magots if you add animal products like meat or fat.
You don’t want that in a compost anyway, they tell you not to add that kind of stuff.

Posted on October 21st, 2009 by admin and filed under worm compost | 3 Comments »

Compost Kitchen Scraps in 1 minute

It’s EASY to compost in ~1 minute! Just toss your kitchen produce scraps under a pile of leaves. Let nature do it’s thing.

Duration : 0:1:12

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Posted on October 20th, 2009 by admin and filed under kitchen composter | No Comments »

Worm Composters Vs Compost Tumblers?

Which is the most efficient composting way?

I’ve been researching this question myself and ended up choosing worm composting. A compost tumbler if filled completely with a good mix of ingredients and regular tumbling can be one of the quicker methods of generating compost. There were several reasons that I didn’t choose this method: 1) I would need two tumblers, because once it is full, you can’t add anything until it is done composting. I don’t have room for two. 2) It requires more effort as spinning it needs to be done at least every few days. 3) A tumbler doesn’t really go well on my small porch and for sure not in the house. Oddly enough, worm bins can do so easily.

I ended up choosing the Worm Factory 360 even though I know you can make your own bins if you are so inclined. So far the worms (Red Wigglers) are quiet and have no odor and require almost no attention. In about 3 – 4 months I should have some nice compost in my bottom tray and then I should have a tray ready about once a month or so after that. I can add food and paper waste to it any time and it can go for up to a month without any attention, so vacations won’t be a problem.

Either one is a great choice, but one way will probably fit your needs better. Good luck!

Posted on October 18th, 2009 by admin and filed under worm compost | 4 Comments »

Compost Tumbler Producing Substances for Ecological Needs

Compost Tumbler produces organic plant foods which are nutritious and healthy elements containing the essential nutritional substances needed by all plants and soil. As the name suggests, it is a tumbler though a larger one that turns organic wastes and biodegradable materials into nutritious plant foods. The end product of this storage container is an organic plant food known as compost.

One of its good features is its portability and size that can be accommodated in any of your garden space. This vessel has a lid that can prevent pests from harboring in it as compared to the traditional pit which is quite vulnerable to harmful pests and disease-causing germs. This compost maker is a suitable replacement to the common compost pit which may be found on your garden area or backyard.

Plants and living beings compose the symbiotic circle of life which is primarily dependent on the produce of the ground. Living creatures like human beings and other forms of lower animals have the need to eat on a daily basis. Basically, they derive food and nourishment from the products of the soil. These plants which are the main sources of food for beings with mouth are produced by the soil.

Organic fertilizers are undeniably the best source of nutrition for both the earth and its products as they do not have hazardous contents or toxic substances that may be transmitted by the soil to the plants and ultimately to humans and animals. The products of the earth must be nourished to be able to produce sufficient amount of food for the entire food chain of the symbiotic circle. They have to be fed with the healthy and nutritious plant foods to be able to grow healthy and be fit for consumption of all living creatures that feed on them.

Compost Tumbler manufactures organic fertilizers and not the synthetic or chemical counterparts that the plants need. It creates the organic nutritional substances fit for the plants and soil. Chemicals are known to be very hazardous to ecology which can prejudice the existence of living creatures. It creates non-toxic elements which are indeed helpful to the ecological set up.

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Posted on October 15th, 2009 by Benedict Perez and filed under compost | No Comments »