The real value in vermicompost is the beneficial microbes that live in it. When the VC dries out, the microbes die.

Dried up vermicompost is a great substance to add to the toop of the bin to when adding very moist foods.

Dry VC is as hard as a rock.

hhhmmmm.... i wonder if mostly dry VC could be re-inocculated with bacteria if placed back into the bin? if dry VC really isn't as good as the moist, it'd be an interesting experiment to grow say, a tomato plant in a pot of dry + water and a pot of moist. i don't have any VC yet but i'm sure someone here could do it!

Dry VC is loaded with bacteria. Not as much as regular VC, but it is far from sterile.

As far as putting it back in the bin, that is what I have done in the past. It will re-moisten and, I assume, reinnoculate.

Tossing in a quart of chlorinated city water into the harvested material every few weeks as I do is probably not the best idea. Using the same water in my bin might be what is holding back the population. It is like they are on birth control. What does this water do to us?!? I think the chlorine does in the wee beasties and does not do the worms any favors either. If only I was more patient and let the water air out for 24 hours or though ahead to do so.

Each city is different the but the chlorine isn't that strong. My aquarium has live plants and fresh water fish with shrimps (great algae eaters) and the water has never effected them, they get more of a jolt from the pH change. City water is usually quite alkaline.

You can always age the water if you want. Have a open jug and most of the chlorine will be gone in 24 hours. Days if your area uses chloramine instead.

equinoxequinox: I always have a couple of buckets behind the garage and a small container on the deck to catch rain water just for the worms