Would a rotating series of buckets work?

18 years ago

I was fortunate to get some free worms on Freecycle, which I have started in a cat litter bucket. The bucket is so small that it fits easily in my kitchen, instead of downstairs. Of course it's not nearly large enough for my needs. Since I cook a lot of fresh veggies, I could probably keep several pounds of worms happy, which I'll probably buy fairly soon.

Do you think it would work to have several of these buckets, bringing up a different one each week, and feeding it generously. It would then go back downstairs until it came back in rotation, 4 to 8 weeks later. Each week when I changed the buckets, I could check on the existing ones. I do know to keep liquids way down.

I'd like to try this, but not if it's almost a sure thing that I'll over stress the bins by feeding them heavily for a few days.

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Comments (6)

squeeze
18 years ago
light feeding is better than heavy, especially with food waste - most veggies are 85% water ... I'd think a bucket [probably about 4 gallons?] couldn't handle more than a day or 2 at a time, and you'll probably find it'll get real wet real quick

you might try it, observing carefully, but I'd think a 17gal rubbermaid tub or 2 would do better in less space and with less weight to carry around

Bill
Jasdip
18 years ago
Hi Liz,
I wouldn't feed them a whole bunch of food at once. Your bin could get aneorobic before they can eat it. I'm battling mites currently, and I'm really trying to cut down on the feeding. I don't think I feed them too much, but I must, for the mites to show up.

I love the idea though, if it would work. You could certainly try it and monitor it carefully.

Sherry
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ralphdean
18 years ago
Hi Liz,

You did not say how many worms you got but, if like me, it was not a lot. Start them in the smaller bucket, learn how to keep them alive, then go for something more. You do not want to overfeed them. Overfeeding causes problems for the worms and for you. If you take some baby steps, in 4-8 months your worm population will have grown to fit the size of container you are using and you can start a second container.
liz_h
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks everyone. I think I have an ounce or two of worms in there! I did take it downstairs after just a few days so I could resist the temptation of feeding more. I like the idea of using these buckets just because I have them. I'll be buying more worms either way, but it they're too hard to maintain in the small buckets I'll get a large one.
shesoldier
18 years ago
hi there...
i don't think smaller buckets are a problem if u keep an eye on things. i have a bigger bin in my garage, but i keep a mini bin in a 2 lb folgers coffee container under the sink. if i have an extra tea bag or carrot top i don't feel like freezing i'll just toss it in. i make sure it doesn't get too wet in there and it's doing great!

good luck on your project! i love that you are recycling containers that you already have!
marauder01
18 years ago
Yeah, me too (love recycling container you already have). Great idea. After all, vermicomposting is just a great fun way to recycle stuff.

I caught myself the other day just before buying a newspaper I wasn't really interested in primarily to shred it for bedding! The little suckers are just going to have to make do until I pick up an old on off the train on Monday morning.

Gotta love the recycle! Yeah!