My worm bins are still expanding (Yes, Lynn still lets me keep them in the house). The red wigglers are reproducing now to the point that we're not producing enough veg scraps to divide between all bins equally every three days. My solution was to begin running the left over collard and turnip plants through the grinder. This makes a very nice mulch that seems to super charge the worms. I still mix the household veg slurry for moisture. An added benifit of the fresh green mulch is that the chloryphyl reduces the musty potato skin smell. My wife is understanding and I Love her , but we cant wait to get this worm ranch out of the house!

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 27, 2000

Answers

Thank you for sharing Jay, I am so glad to hear someone who is doing this successfully, since we have been considering it for a long time. diane in michigan

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), December 27, 2000.

Jay, I have enjoyed your post about your worm bins, please keep us updated. Thanks for sharing your information and Thank Lynn also.

-- Mark in NC Fla (deadgoatman@webtv.net), December 27, 2000.

Hi Jay, are you going to sell some of your worms? If you think they'll survive in Fla I'll buy some if you, and they, do. Ada

-- Aagje Franken (Backyardy2k@aol.com), December 28, 2000.

Right now , these bins are just an experiment, however, I am beginning to see income potentials also. Someone interested could produce worms and compost on a larger scale using tumblers and rabbits , then homoginize the compost in solar ovens for resale to home gardeners. I myself will be happy if I can eventually turn my acre of Alabama red clay into "Yankee Black ".

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 28, 2000.

Jay,

First, slow down worm growth and breeding by moving them to a place between 55 and 65 degrees. Add oatmeal (quick cooking) and some coffee grounds if you have some to your kitchen compost. This should help them at least hold steady until spring when you can move them. Oh, the oatmeal may even help with the smell.

-- Marty (Mrs.Puck@Excite.com), December 31, 2000.