"plus my DH likes em he thinks they are sweet"

Egads!!! He doesn't *gulp* EAT them does he?!?

I'm a newbie here, too, so I can't answer your questions. In fact, your post has raised a few questions of my own!

Patti

1.) Is aged manure the same as the manure compost that you can buy from garden stores or lowes? I don't have a "fresh manure" source but would the manure compost from a garden center work, ie is it still nutrient dense but not too hot?

Generally speaking, composted manure is manure that has been, well composted (I love making these earth shattering revelations), meaning it has gone through a phase of mixing, moistening and turning that has reduced some of the energy associated with the original material. Aged manure is manure that has been left to its own devices for a few years. Stacked in or behind a barn somewhere, the inner areas of the manure pile have experienced some composting, but not all of the manure has been exposed to an active composting process. As such, aged manure retains a bit more energy than does composted manure.

The terms as I've described them are how the majority of people differentiate the two materials, they are not researched definitions that are regulated by any credible agency, thus, what is bagged at the garden center as "composted manure" is often simply "aged manure". The take home message in all this is that either is like to perform the function for which a product like this might be used in a worm bin (which I probably cold have simply said and forgone the long-winded explanation but, well, I need the typing practice...).

2.) Would cedar bedding (ie, the kinds you use for hampsters, or even cedar mulch) work as bedding. It smells nice, and I thought it could help add structure (ie airation) to the bed since because I know that wood products decompose slowly and the newspaper I'll put down can mat together. I don't mind if it doesn't go to complete castings since it's going in my garden and my texas clay soil can use some texture. Somewhere I read that cedar was bad, but I didn't know if this was misinformation or not. Why is it bad?

There is a lot of misunderstanding about cedar in a worm bed leading many people to discourage its use based on the erroneous belief that the aromatic oils in cedar will kill or inhibit worm activity. This is not technically true, however, though cedar alone is not an ideal choice for worm bedding. Cedar was designed by nature with high levels of cellulose and lignins, which are not readily avialable as food to most microorganisms. As such, it grows little of the microbial life on which worms rely as their main source of nutrition. Bins bedded using cedar alone often see poor worm activity, not because of the aromatics, but because of the lack of microbial activity. When cedar is used as a PORTION of the bedding material, however, it will function as you hope, Kris; it becomes a source of structure that aids in maintaining space for air movement through the system while the other bedding materials with which it is mixed become substrate for the microbial life necessary to the worms.

The general recommendation is that the cedar comprise no more than about 1/4 of the total system bedding.

3.) Does anyone use a cooler for the worm bin. I was thinkin of the nice drain on the cooler as a good way to control excess moisture.

I've worked with dozens of worm bins made in coolers (styrofoam as well as plastic), also in old freezers and even in old watering troughs. All work just fine, though with coolers and old freezers folks often find that the lid needs to be kept open or slightly ajar to ensure sufficient ability for fresh air to penetrate the system.

I know that Kelly woman, and she really is damned nosy about people's worm bins! She's also bald (or nearly so), did you know that?!? Still, it is pretty cool when a person provides enough information to ensure the answers fit the context. Good communication is such a wonderful thing!

Kelly S

Thank you, Kelly! I've been wondering about the cedar shavings question too -- I've read the "don't use cedar" admonitions as well, and worried. I had discovered what I thought was the perfect bedding. We stick large folded-up pieces of cardboard into my son's gerbil cages, and the three little critters happily shred it over the next few days, building themselves elaborate nests. Every week, I clean out several handsful of the mix of cedar shavings, shredded cardboard, empty seed hulls and gerbil droppings, and use it to cover the week's feeding of kitchen waste. It seemed to be working great, but I'm a compulsive enough direction-follower that I worried nevertheless. The shavings do take a long time to decompose, but I don't think that's much of a drawback when it's mixed in with the castings.

p.s. Kelly, I think you are great. Whenever I start feeling depressed about the state of the human race, I check in with the worm forum and am reminded of all these friendly, funny, generous folks and it makes me feel better. Thanks.

What a lovely thing to say, Kris! That may be one of the nicer complements I've been given.

Thank you for making MY day!

Kelly S

Wow, that was a nice compliment, I wish I had made it but credit goes to fadoodle:).

But honestly, that was a fabulous answer kelly, exactly what I was asking and I LOVE details...and earth shattering revalations lol, I need those sometimes:) But you answered my question exactly.

Composted manure is usable, as is ceder as 1/4th of the bedding, and coolers are fine with good airation...got it.

Thanks so much, its such a treat to have such a knowledgable person to ask.

P.S.
Patti, If he ate the worms, we would be having a SERIOUS talk...EWWW wasn't there a star trek episode where they ate worms, YUCKY. He just seems to really like worms it is the funniest thing. When I kinda get the heebi-geebies about touching them he just says how nice worms are, and how they are better than snakes (which, for the record I like) and on and on. It just cracks me up.

Fadoodle, mis-stating your name was an incredibly kack-handed way to say thank you for your kindness. Please accept my apology.

And, Kris, your hubby sounds like in interesting fellow! ::laughing::

Kelly s