Huge Worm Bin and Wormery Secrets

55 Gallon Worm Compost Bin- Look at the wormery
/ @plantobsessed
This bin was made from cutting a 55 gallon food grade barrel in half long ways and screwing the open ends together to make a 6 foot long bin.
To see the previous video click here • 55 Gallon Compost Worm...
The bin lives in the cellar of my 200-year-old house. In the winter the furnace dries it out, and in the wet season the moisture leaching through the bricks makes the basement very humid. The current set up was started near the first of the year 2021 after the wormpocolypse. A rat was in the basement and all the bins had to be moved to totes and buckets with lids on to protect them. When the rat was ended, I added 4 or more of the in-progress bins/ buckets with the compost mix of red, blue and European nightcrawlers in them to fill the big blue bin. I continued to add ground leaves and food. Currently the bin is undergoing a refresh. I am harvesting the castings as the top of the bin dries and adding new bedding and food. Keeping the moisture even in the bin is difficult in the wet summer. I flip or fluff the bin to keep the air in the bedding. Back to the wedge method starting now.
I am an Amazon affiliate. The items below are the Amazon affiliate links for the items I use in my wormery. I have read and recommend these books. The cost is the same to you, but the channel will get a small commission if purchases are made using the links.
Computer Microscope
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Electric box cutting tool
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Down to Earth Organic Alfalfa Meal
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Fish scale, Dr.meter Backlit LCD Display 110lb/50kg
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Tetra 16172 Aqua Safe Fish Tank Water Conditioner
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BLACK+DECKER Coffee Grinder
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pH meter TDS meter compo pack
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Mesh bags to make worm tea
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Coco coir Coco Bliss
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Organic Kelp Fertilizer
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Liquid Kelp
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Unsulfured Black Strap molasses
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Utility Tub - 26" X 20"
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Aurora 18 sheet shredder
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SE 5-Piece Set of Patented Stackable 13-¼” Sifting Pans - GP2-5 SET
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SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, 1/4" Mesh Screen - GP2-14
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SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, 1/8" Mesh Screen - GP2-18
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SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, Mesh Size 1/12" - GP2-112
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Bon Tool 11-407 Utility Tub - 26" X 20"
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Tetra 16172 Aqua Safe Fish Tank Water Conditioner
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Worm Farmers Handbook Book
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Worms Eat My Garbage Book
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Vermiculture and Technology Book
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Worm Farm Revolution
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Uncle Jims European Night Crawlers
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Uncle Jims Product page
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Пікірлер: 74

  • @SuperTinker41
    @SuperTinker414 ай бұрын

    Hello Ann... very glad to find your channel Just got my VERY FIRST WORM ORDER 2500 Red Wigglers and 100 European Night Crawlers ... (( so very exciting)) ... Thank you so very much for ALL your tips!!!

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    4 ай бұрын

    I'm glad I have been helpful.good luck🎉🎉👍🏼😁🪱

  • @1huzlives

    @1huzlives

    3 ай бұрын

    Wow

  • @ale-iensbrewery8871
    @ale-iensbrewery8871 Жыл бұрын

    Ah Blue, its like dropping in on an old friend. This guy can’t get enough screen time. Thanks for sharing.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for watching 😃

  • @gregbutler9873
    @gregbutler9873 Жыл бұрын

    The boy know you stole his favorite hat? Now about that raise ? if it is good enough I won’t tell😂😂😂 my boy Blu a very great act of love for Ann and two years? He has a lot more worms and a lot less work for the boss !!👍🍻

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    You know it

  • @ladybdeloreswhitney_CM_CCH_PCM
    @ladybdeloreswhitney_CM_CCH_PCM Жыл бұрын

    Hello Ann, I am a NYC Apartment Composter and any and everything you are doing is knowledge for me. I checked out your DIY stackable, which I think will work for me. I have scaled it down. And I am now following you.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    What do you do with your castings? House plants? I have always wondered. Thank you for watching 😃

  • @IdahoDirtBiker9908
    @IdahoDirtBiker9908 Жыл бұрын

    I have been watching you videos for a long time I absolutely love them. I have 2 cast iron bathtube bins right now but its finally time to upgrade in size I'm starting 5 55 gallon metal bins built just like yours. Yes I said 5 of them call me crazy all you want I need a lot of dirt for my garden beds and I might start selling worms and casting. Who knows I might start doing videos on my worms to.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    That would be awesome. What do you use for food and bedding?

  • @simonsuppertime2589
    @simonsuppertime2589 Жыл бұрын

    Blue is really bulging out of every side and that's quite a casting haul you got today! I am looking forward to seeing how far below the top you can get now that you aren't dumping a bunch of other bins in it.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    It is getting close to seed starting time. I will probably get more aggressive in my harvesting schedule of the bin. Thanks for watching!

  • @waynetadlock9719
    @waynetadlock9719 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    You're welcome! I hope all is well 🙏

  • @the_green_anna
    @the_green_anna Жыл бұрын

    That was fun! ✌️💙 Enjoyed the peak behind the scene! Thank you!

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920
    @peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920 Жыл бұрын

    Good morning, Ann, from Windermere, Florida zone 9b USA 🇺🇸 🥑🌞🥑🇺🇸 You are the Master Sifter, but I'm in training! I watched completely and love following along. Your Personification of Blue is so funny...I'm waiting to hear a Burp! Or 💩!

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Now that you have your own set of sifting pans you will have nice fine texture casting too. Thank you for watching 😃

  • @peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920

    @peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920

    Жыл бұрын

    @@PlantObsessed I uploaded a video on my improved sifting skills.

  • @clivesconundrumgarden
    @clivesconundrumgarden Жыл бұрын

    Gotta be one of my favorite bins I've seen. Just love how simple it is, not to be confused with easy, especially for a beginner. We're excited to grow Marbonne Tomatoes this year. Cheers Ann

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you It is everyones favorite. I bought way too many seeds. I hope to your garden this year.

  • @destitute8493
    @destitute8493 Жыл бұрын

    Sprouts contain *amylase* an enzyme that converts starch into sugar. This is why brewers use barley malt (sprouted barley).

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Sprouts are cool. 👍🏼😁🪱

  • @barhnineranch812
    @barhnineranch8128 ай бұрын

    My chickens like the sprouted things in winter- and the worms like the fines from the chicken feed that the hens won’t eat.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    8 ай бұрын

    Nice, win win. Good worms😃🪱👍🏼

  • @augustineschaefer5522
    @augustineschaefer5522 Жыл бұрын

    I’m nerving myself up to go foraging for a barrel that I can cut in half (I’d share the other half.) The downside is that the bigger they are the more stationary they are. They get heavy through the winter. I’ve been doing natural science with my wormies for 5 years. Every time I’ve looked in on them they appear to be living their best lives. I’ll investigate the outdoor brush pile this spring for activity and if the worms are there (from cocoons) I’ll have a dedicated for now place for overflow castings. PSA if it’s winter where you are go smell your bin…it should get you excited for spring.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, I bet blue is 500 pounds right now. For my house the space is not good for anything else.

  • @Vermicompost
    @Vermicompost Жыл бұрын

    Very cool to see the behind the scenes!! 600 Lbs a year!!! Good job Blu!!! Great question...Who doesn't need a farm of avocados in Illinois😂🤣😂 I'm excited about starting my whole garden early just in time for a late season frost😂two years running!! I could definitely hear the worms squirming when you brought them up!! I'm one of your Florida people but I only have small avocado trees, no fruits yet...so I'm not sure when the season starts again. That's pretty cool the shirt was able to be washed after the worms ate the cotton out!! Excellent video!! So much going on!!🪱🪱🪱

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    I have high hopes to get them to fruit one day🙂

  • @AJsGreenTopics
    @AJsGreenTopics Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing the shirt.The hat looks great on you. 🙂

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    lol had to borrow it from my son, but i thought it would be a good nod to your famous hat.

  • @sandyjoao4489
    @sandyjoao4489 Жыл бұрын

    Nice to c blue get more 🎃. Am sure the good wormies will enjoy it.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    It is true, they never turn down more pumpkin!!

  • @wormweirdo340
    @wormweirdo340 Жыл бұрын

    Nice shirt!

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    AJ gave it to me. Cool right?

  • @chriseverest4380
    @chriseverest4380 Жыл бұрын

    Whenever you're fluffing and you come across a piece of string or cord I keep thinking there are gonna be dogtags on the end & some sort of missing-in-action scenario and Blue becomes scandalously famous! (Sorry - even MORE famous!)😂

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    I do live in a very old house I expect to unearth treasure someday but

  • @johnpierce227
    @johnpierce227 Жыл бұрын

    You get coco coir in 3 cu. ft bags ? I haVE NOT SEEN THAT ON THE WEST COAST Nice hat ! Should I call you Ginger or Mary Ann ? Ha Ha I get coco coir in bricks - compressed !

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    I found it on sale because it was damaged. I had not seen it that way before either. There is a 10 pound brick that is next in line after the yard is empty.

  • @JennStowe
    @JennStowe Жыл бұрын

    Love all your content Anne❤❤❤❤❤

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you 👍🏼

  • @theunskoch4256
    @theunskoch4256 Жыл бұрын

    I recently planted an avacado that sprouted in one of my bathtub wormfarms, Blue is looking really good

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you. It is the fastest way to sprout them.

  • @theunskoch4256

    @theunskoch4256

    Жыл бұрын

    Pleasure, i have been thinking how ot happens that some seeds whatever they are, will sprout and some will die, my conclusion is one of two, i think sometimes it has to with the climate in the bin, and also position where the most or least moist is for sprouting to take place, this is just a theory a hunch

  • @LK-3000
    @LK-3000 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video. Your wormbin is amazing. I see that you have Uncle Jim's in your links. I buy worms from him too. His worms always get to me in perfect condition. Now I'm working on getting them to breed so I appeciate watching your videos. Maybe one day mine will be full of worms like yours. 🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    I started with a pound of the mixed worms. They grew the rest all themselves. A little patience and you will have more than you know what to do with. 😁

  • @PaulSmith-tf9bn
    @PaulSmith-tf9bn Жыл бұрын

    Really enjoying your channel. One question today, do you keep a light on at all times over your worms so that they stay in the ben

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Nope. They stay in very well except for thunderstorms. After I film and disturbed them I keep the light on for about 6 hours to keep them from wandering. That is only once every 3 weeks. Thank you for watching 😃

  • @SquigglersWigglers
    @SquigglersWigglers Жыл бұрын

    I am wondering if you ever harvest in large quantities and if you have a video of that? I am doing my own blue and wondering if you ever have to reset it since mine is composted almost completely.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    I take a 5 gallon bucket a month. Anything more would mess up my wedge system. I did empty the whole thing once to keep an invader out of the bin but not to harvest.

  • @dankillen8762
    @dankillen87628 ай бұрын

    Hi there, I just started researching into making a worm bin and have been watching all of your videos so far. I was wanting to know do you always feed blue from right to left as standing in front of him? Then after 4 weeks do you just turn what you fed last to the left. And not feed that area again? As you turn the compost you just take leftovers to the right and then add new to the right? I hope this is understandable and clear as mud lol. I sure do like the system that you are using. Thanks for the information and I want to learn as much as I can. Dan

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    8 ай бұрын

    Yes that is exactly the process with the wedge. All feedings happen at the right. Next time I push that over to the left and start new feeding and bedding on the right again. Next week is my update of blue. I plan to show / draw a diagram of the bin. Thank you for watching 👍🏼🪱😁

  • @user-gl7fs1dp9l
    @user-gl7fs1dp9l4 ай бұрын

    Hi Anne! I got another one of my questions LOL. I'm trying to find a paper shredder, but they all say no newspaper or cardboard? Do all shredders say that? Have you ever had any not work?

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    4 ай бұрын

    They don't last forever using them for cardboard. It will shred them. I use either the 18 or 24 sheet versions.🪱😃👍🏼

  • @NanasWorms
    @NanasWorms Жыл бұрын

    I feel your pain, Blue, about having to go on a diet 🙁 I wish I knew which months were best for avocados. I just tossed half a dozen to my worms because they rotted before they ripened. More pumpkin spouts for Blue next time! 🎃~ Sandra

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, he is down to 3 left in the cart. Pretty soon he will have to just eat kitchen scraps. 🙂

  • @lindaspellman2108
    @lindaspellman2108 Жыл бұрын

    Love blue!!! 💙 How do you manage extra food scraps when worms slow down in winter? I feel like I need one bin in summer and four (more?) in winter to keep up. Especially with all the slow food apple cores and banana stems, we seem to get more fungus gnats and mites than I care to live with. Blech

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    This year I'm about even because I reduced the number bins this year. Next summer I may need to find a supplement food source.

  • @lisakost7085
    @lisakost7085 Жыл бұрын

    Question. If I put worm castings around my strawberries and maybe a cocoon or worm slipped through the sifting process will the worms nibble on the strawberries that are on the soil. Thanks, Mary

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Worms will only eat decaying items. Your strawberry will be safe from the worms unless they are rotten. 🙂

  • @195dm
    @195dm Жыл бұрын

    Non hai mai avuto fughe con un bidone così basso?

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    No, there are no holes in the bottom. I try to balance the moisture of the bedding with the food.

  • @chuffedleupagus
    @chuffedleupagus Жыл бұрын

    Hey Ann, where do you order your avocados? I’m intrigued.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Sleepy lizard avocado farm. There is a KZread channel from them too. Highly recommend.

  • @tanchewleong2078
    @tanchewleong2078 Жыл бұрын

    Hi ma’am, greetings from Singapore.. where do u get the plastic sieve? Would like to buy one to harvest vermicast. Thanks in advance.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    If you can order on Amazon the link is in the description. They are gold panning sieves that fit on top of 5 gallon buckets.

  • @tanchewleong2078

    @tanchewleong2078

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your super quick response. Have checked … they come in 5 pieces. I need only 1 which is of 1/8” or 3mm hole-size. But I love the diameter of the sieve.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    @@tanchewleong2078 they are also sold separately. Each link is for a different piece.

  • @CH-oj7kv
    @CH-oj7kv Жыл бұрын

    I have also read that worms are self-limiting. Also the babies are far more ravenous than the adult, so optimizing production means having all life stages. If a bin has all mature worms I will release them into my outdoor compost heap or directly into my garden. If I have an interested friend, I will give some away to start new bins. Saving the world from waste paper and tables scraps one bin at a time. I would not worry too much about the food level. We feed our compost buddies much more than they actually need.

  • @PlantObsessed

    @PlantObsessed

    Жыл бұрын

    Here in zone 5 we have red wigglers naturally. Not an option to toss them out in the winter lol 🪱🥶

  • @CH-oj7kv

    @CH-oj7kv

    Жыл бұрын

    @@PlantObsessed Haha, heavens! Of course not. Naturally not in winter, no. That would be cruel. XD I was just sharing general knowledge. I didn't mean to tell you to toss the babies into the snowdrifts.