I wouldnt use peat because its a finite resource that you have to purchase. I use spoiled hay (leftover from mulching), shredded leaves, and shredded newspaper and junk mail. I personally believe that recycling goodness like compost should use as many non-purchased materials as possible.

Hay and paper seem to work really well to keep moisture and are non-matting. You can also use a shovel of comopst in the bedding too. good luck!

Thanks....Just figured out how to do a forum-specific subject search, and saw numerous postings that expressed the same concerns.

I have been using shredded cardboard, paper bags and bamboo leaf mulch for years. As a result, my shredder finally burned out and until I get a new one, I thought I could use an extra bag of peat that I have sitting around. (I am WAY too lazy to shred by hand.) So, in essence, I am still (kind of) recycling!

Alyss, the warnings against peat being too acidic are based on myth. Peat is typically not too acidic for worms. Some peats can be high in salts, however, thus, rinsing it is sometimes recommended, dependant upon the peat being used.

In all honesty, it would be out of the ordinary for the old bag of peat you propose using to have any characteristics potentially harmful to your worms. If you're concerned, consider using it as a portion of your bedding instead of making it the sole bedding material, and watch how your worms react. Should you feel they are exhibiting signs of stress, the addition of a few shovels of good compost will typically buffer the types of challenges that might, however improbably, be posed by the peat.

Know, too, that dry peat is a bit hydrophobic, meaning it resists moistening. Try pouring water over a pile of dry peat and it will simply run off, barely getting the surface wet at all! The best way to moisten dry peat, which becomes highly absorbptive once dampened, is to soak it for a couple of hours. This not only moistens the stuff, but will rinse any salts at the same time.

Does that make sense?

Kelly S

Thanks Kelly. Makes perfect sense. It's an established bin, (I am up to six 50 gallon bins now!) so I will try mixing the hydrated peat with some bamboo leaf mulch and experiment until I get a new shredder.

6! rock! ive got parts of 3 different bins going now (might be harvesting for new gardening friends soon). ive got bin envy!