Comments on: Should you put worms in your compost pile?

By: rmbrruffian

rmbrruffian — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:46:59 +0000

If you have your pile on the ground, worms will gravitate to your compost pile. If you have coffee grounds, they love those so add them to the pile.
Your pile will break down without worms. A properly working compost pile will generate heat from the decomposition process. There are three stages to decomposition of compost. The first stage is where the pile starts to generate heat. In the second stage the temperature of the pile will get to 150 degrees Fahrenheit and more. The larger the pile, the more heat will be generated. But it won’t go beyond 170F. The third stage is when the temperature starts falling. This is when you want to turn your compost pile. This starts the heating process all over again. When you cannot recognize anything in your pile, (that was a potato, or those were leaves) your compost is finished.
The whole decomposition process is bacterial in nature. Worms contribute some, but without bacteria decomposition wouldn’t happen.
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Horticulture student and avid composter. I have composted over a ton of horse manure in shavings over the last two winters.

By: Ishtar

Ishtar — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:05:59 +0000

You don't have to add worms. If it's getting too hot, it could cook them; if it's too cold, they would crawl out and go into the soil to winter over. Leave it alone, and if the pile is in contact with the soil, the worms will come and go on their own when the conditions are right for them.
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By: Kiliko

Kiliko — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:38:59 +0000

Of course. Worms eat debris like leaves and clippings and stuff and expel dirt. If you want good compost, worms are essential.
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By: Reef

Reef — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:01:59 +0000

Maybe if its in a container but if it's just on the ground the worms native to your area will flock to it.
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By: clcprodigy

clcprodigy — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:12:59 +0000

You don't have to put worms in with grass, clipping and leaves , there will be a great number of what Anglers call Canadian Night Crawlers just gravitate to your pile I highly recommend turning the pile often it will facilitate rapid decomposition, and you can remove the castings to where you want them and put in more material, anything other than meat scraps is ok. The more work you put in the better. Personally since I use horse and rabbit manure, I have what is called a red wiggler, it is not needed in your bed, because essentially it is a manure worm. If you ever get a good source of straw, I don't' know what it is about the stuff but when decomposing it one will often attrack what is called a Georgia Jumper, very entertaining touch it and it will flip all over the place. I'm a large gardener been in the worm business selling to bait shops in years past. Even raised crickets, but you don't have to add worms, if it makes you feel better when it floods and you have those things crawling everywhere collect a few and put in your bed. But you will have plenty anyway.
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By: Cave Creek

Cave Creek — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:36:59 +0000

You need to enclose the pile so it generates more heat. I used chain link fence for an enclosure and kept adding grass and leaves and kitchen vegetable matter and I watered it good when there was no rain. You can add earthworms as they will aerate and digest. If you have some good dirt. add a layer of that every once in awhile. Count on 2 years for a good product.
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By: kiko

kiko — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:30:59 +0000

Earthworms. Put a tarp over it or whatever, keep it moist, and turn it often,
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