On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 14:31:30 GMT, (Anna Kettle)
wrote:

An established worm bin in a reasonably sheltered spot doesn't need
any extra protection cos the worms will retreat into the compost if
the weather gets too cold. If you are starting off a bin at this time
of year then the worms won't have much home produced bedding so they
will need a bit more tender loving care over the first winter

Once your bin is established you can feed the worms anything though as
another poster said, not too much of any one thing. Flies in the worm
bin are normal and nothing to get upset about

In late spring once the weather has improved I rake off the top inch
or so of uncomposted stuff, upend the bin to get out the lovely
compost and sieve it to get any worms and rejected matter out

Onion skins get rejected by my fussy worms, so the skins then go on
the compost heap for a second attempt at recycling. The worms go back
in their bin

I once tried using a worm bin with a tap but the tap kept getting
blocked up and was a pain in the XXXX so now I use a plastic bin with
holes in the bottom and sides which are big enough to allow worms and
water out but are too small to allow rats and hopefully mice to get in

Had to put wire mesh round my bin, after a rat gnawed a hole through
it. And we're not talking an average plastic dustbin - this is a 40
gallon plastic 'spice' barrel...about 5mm wall thickness.

I have two bins - one is active, the other is storage/maturing. Each
spring I empty the contents of the active bin into the storage bin,
and give it a month or so to settle and dry out.

I've been a bit neglectful of my worm bins, ever since the man from
the stables just down the way turned up with a six ton trailer full of
horse manure...but I toss all the kitchen scraps in once a week and
the worms seem to be happy enough.

I'd agree re. the tap problem. Better off removing it and sticking a
bung in the hole.

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk