drainage in a small plastic bin is helpful unless you can manage moisture well other ways - the size you cite [tiny really] will be very problematic in any case, you'd be much better off to dump the worms in the garden straight away and add your scraps there using a trench composting method .... the worms in the garden will die off or leave unless you have and maintain the soil rich in organic material .... if it is rich in organics, the conditions there will be much more conducive to a worm population increase

Bill

Actually, I just guestimated the size of the box last night because it was late and I was sleepy.

The box is 16 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches by 9 inches deep.

I read some more on this website before I finally went to bed, plus I followed a link provided for a children's website on earthworms (since I don't know much about worms, other than they are an organic gardener's best friend, a child's website did seem an appropriate starting place to learn).

Anyway, based on what I read, I think I've figured out a workable battle plan, but could sure use more experienced folks insight on this.

Here's my plan, unless you folks have a better solution to share:

I'm going to get a second plastic tub that is the same size. I'm going to drill a few 1/2 inch holes at the bottom, placed to facilitate drainage. I'm going to go inside the box with some of this plastic screening that looks like window screening but is made of flexible plastic, and glue patches of this screening over the drainage holes so that the worms can't crawl out.

To facilitate air circulation (which the folks my husband bought this from say is important), I'm going to take the lid and cut a big 3 inch by 4 inch hole in it, and then cover that hole up with plastic screening too.

After I prepare the new plastic bin with the drainage and top holes, I'm going to move the batch of worms and peat moss from the box I already have to the new, properly prepared bin.

Then I will put the properly prepared bin in a drip pan, raised an inch or two in the air by wooden supports (which are taller in the back of the bin than in the front) so that there is a slight angle to the way that the worm bin sits in the pan. This is to facilitate draining. The drain holes will be placed so that excess water will drip out the bin into that drip pan.

I will then place this setup in an extra bedroom closet, where it will be dark all but maybe 10 or 15 minutes each day, where I will feed them their Worm Chow once a day and moisten as necessary.

I will then put holes in the plastic bin I currently have, and about 6 to 8 weeks from now when the population is grown in the bin, I'll move half of the worms over to the new box and put more moistented peat moss in both boxes to fill them up.

I can understand the suggestion to just put the worms outside, however, my garden sits in the middle of Sunstroke Acres and -- despite the fact that it is not even officially summer yet -- we have had 90 degree plus days every day for several weeks now. This is the hottest "spring" on record in these parts. Those little critters would probably bake out there if I put them out right now in these abnormally harsh weather conditions.

Plus my garden is completely full of plants right now that have full root systems at this point. Everything is big and coming up fast. I don't want to go disrupting my earthen beds right now if I can help it. You know what they say "Don't mess with somthing that is working quite well."

I figure on waiting until the fall, when I prepare my beds for next spring. That's when I routinely fork the organic mulch I use during the growing season (a mixture of shredded leaves and shredded pine bark - a "brown" when it comes to composting) into the top 5 or 6 inches of soil. At the same time I add in some Starbucks coffee grounds (a "green" when it comes to composting, placed into the soil so that I can compost my mulch over the winter).

After I have forked in that mulch and coffee combination, I routinely wet it down till it has the moisture consistancy of a wet sponge. This will cause the sheet composting operation to temporarily heat up, so I will have to wait a few more weeks I figure to add the worms in.

But the initial heating up of the bed will discipate in a week or two, after which I can wet the bed again to the consistancy of a wet sponge. At that time, I should be able to add the worms into the soil safely, I figure. It will be a cooler climate by that time, and they will have plenty of fresh "eats" and the same soil moisture content that they will be used to.

I figure on covering the beds with a crushed oak leaf "winter mulch" after the worms go in, to protect the worms and other soil microorganisms from any harsh winter conditions that we might experience here in the mid-south.

Anyway, that's what I'm thinking right now. Any suggestions for improvement in my scheme, or valuable insight you would be willing to share with this newbie?

you could always get a spigot to throw on the bottom & then you could drain into a jar as you see fit . . .
i.e. http://www.lavermesworms.net/shopping/details.php?prodid=3

I keep two Rubbermaid bins, and I'm not an expert, but here's my opinion:

Raspberryflyer, I think you are working way too hard. Just take your bins and a hot glue gun and melt some holes in the sides, lid and the bottom. Forget the screening unless you've already done it. If you are putting food scraps in for them and your box isn't too wet, they won't leave.

Don't you have a north side of the house where you could tuck the worms against the house so they don't get any direct sun? Or if they get direct sun, just for a very short time? I live in a pretty hot area too and would not think of bringing my worms in. I just keep them on the north side of the house, and they are fine.

I'm pretty sure the redworms will not survive in your garden. I've read that in nature, this type worm lives in the leaf litter of an ecosystem, not burrowing through the soil.

With all respect, I disagree with Kelstarry. I've never had enough drainage to use a spigot.

raspberryflyer,

I would suggest you Google "Kelly Slocum" (without the quotes)
What you will find is a wealth of very down to earth solid information on every level.
She has helped nearly every one now herding worms . . . including myself (indirectly).
Good luck with your own herd . . .

TC

rasberry,

I think you are doing very well and certainly have put a lot of thought and effort into it.

The only things I would say is that I have found far less problems with bigger bins than smaller so your bins are on the smaller side. The other thing: a good bedding is shredded corrugated cardboard torn into pieces layered with dead leaves and some shredded newspaper mixed in. I find it is better than peat, doesn't damage the environment, and is free. Let it sit for a couple of weeks before adding worms.

Good luck,
Marshall

what they said ^

• you'll find that fly screen doesn't keep worms from 'escaping' if conditions aren't right, in fact it's one way to harvest, by covering the bedding with screen and feeding only above that so the worms will move up and be easy to set aside while you scoop out the finished stuff ... amazing how skinny worms can be when they want

Bill

That is an interesting idea, feeding above the screen. Would you do this all the time or just as you are getting ready to harvest? They usually say putting food under bedding will keep the smell and pest problem down.