worm bin thread
Martha Wells (flylo@txcyber.com)
Sat, 29 May 1999 08:11:54 -0500
I wanted to comment on the composter thread that is involving worm bins. I
have two cheap rubbermaid bins and did NOT drill holes, give any other air
circulation other than what comes in through the (not air/water tight) snap
connection between lids and boxes. I started out with one bin and when they
seemed too crowded, divided them into another one. I use shredded newspaper
for their bedding, and add kitchen scraps mostly. If you put the scraps in
one corner at a time, and cover with the bedding, there is no smell.
Occasionally they get a 'pick me up' of 1/4 cup of cornmeal or goat chow,
but this actually seems to act as a reproductive stimulant for some reason.
These live underneath my kitchen table, so I'd be aware of any bacterial
changes if they did smell. BUT, they are not for large scale composting.
They may take 2 weeks to decompose coffeegrounds, and months to take away
an eggshell. If you have a lot of kitchen scraps, you'll need an outside
compost system (pallets work for me) as well.
We have chickens that take the bulk of any kitchen wastes and only choice
morsels go to the earthworm bins, and almost no leftovers for the compost
bins. Those rely on the spent straw and manure and garden weeding with the
occasional old milk tossed in.
I agree, innercity living would be nice if hens were allowed. A lot of
wasted stuff could go to them, and you'd get a lot more benefit (in my
opinion) via healthy meat and eggs in return, than the benefits earthworms
can provide. I lived in Houston very innercity, and several neighbors had
chickens, but would butcher the roosters early so very little crowing to
announce their presence. Rabbits can also be raised in small spaces and are
a lot quieter. (But eat less variety of kitchen scraps).
martha
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