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#1
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Compost worms
The worms used in a compost bin are different to 'yer actual garden worms'
so where do they come from? I have seen advice on here that one can buy them, but our compost worms 'get themselves' into the compost bins. Could this be because most of our bins are part on but part off the garden in that we have concrete/bricks under them to an extent of about 80%, not by design but by where we want to 'fit them in' to the overall picture. Mike -- H.M.S.Collingwood Ass. Llandudno 20 - 23 May Trip to Portmeirion National Service (RAF) Ass. Cosford 24 - 27 June Lanc Bomber Fly Past H.M.S.Impregnable Ass. Sussex 1 - 4 July Visit to Int. Fest of the Sea British Pacific Fleet. Derby 2 - 5 Sept. Visit to Denby Pottery |
#2
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Mike wrote:
The worms used in a compost bin are different to 'yer actual garden worms' so where do they come from? I have seen advice on here that one can buy them, but our compost worms 'get themselves' into the compost bins. Could this be because most of our bins are part on but part off the garden in that we have concrete/bricks under them to an extent of about 80%, not by design but by where we want to 'fit them in' to the overall picture. One of the "cons" run by those selling wormeries is that you need to buy special worms. Nonsense. If you have a normal compost heap. Take a couple of bucketsful off active compost, spread on a plastic sheet, cover with a black bin bag. leave for 30 minutes. take off the binbag and collect the loverly brandlings before they scurry back into the compost! pk |
#3
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In article ,
pk wrote: Mike wrote: The worms used in a compost bin are different to 'yer actual garden worms' so where do they come from? I have seen advice on here that one can buy them, but our compost worms 'get themselves' into the compost bins. Could this be because most of our bins are part on but part off the garden in that we have concrete/bricks under them to an extent of about 80%, not by design but by where we want to 'fit them in' to the overall picture. One of the "cons" run by those selling wormeries is that you need to buy special worms. Nonsense. If you have a normal compost heap. Take a couple of bucketsful off active compost, spread on a plastic sheet, cover with a black bin bag. leave for 30 minutes. take off the binbag and collect the loverly brandlings before they scurry back into the compost! Essentially, yes. As I understand it, the common earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) makes a bad "compost worm", though it may well be present in large numbers in a traditional heap - I don't know[*]. But another earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus, a.k.a. the redworm) makes quite decent one, the brandlings and tiger worms are even better, and there are others that are better still. As many or most of them are present in most gardens, they will search out suitable food - such as is found in your compost bin - provided that they have access. So they will just appear as if by magic (as, indeed, was once believe to be the case). And you can transfer them between heaps simply by moving a shovel of active compost or as described above. The way to get a starter faster is apparently to place a small pile of compost material on the earth in a damp, shady part of the garden (watering the ground and providing shade if necessary), cover with black plastic, wait overnight (or for a couple of nights?) and look in the morning. It's all natcheral, innit? [*] I have never tried to identify whether the worms in my heap are Lumbricus terrestris or Lumbricus rubellus. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
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On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 11:28:15 +0000 (UTC), "Mike" wrote:
The worms used in a compost bin are different to 'yer actual garden worms' so where do they come from? I have seen advice on here that one can buy them, but our compost worms 'get themselves' into the compost bins. Could this be because most of our bins are part on but part off the garden in that we have concrete/bricks under them to an extent of about 80%, not by design but by where we want to 'fit them in' to the overall picture. Mike -- H.M.S.Collingwood Ass. Llandudno 20 - 23 May Trip to Portmeirion National Service (RAF) Ass. Cosford 24 - 27 June Lanc Bomber Fly Past H.M.S.Impregnable Ass. Sussex 1 - 4 July Visit to Int. Fest of the Sea British Pacific Fleet. Derby 2 - 5 Sept. Visit to Denby Pottery I have noticed the same thing about the worms but as they make great compost I'm not bothered where they come from. Our 'dalek' (provided by the Council by the way) sits on soil. Someone on the BBC group was complaining about masses of small flies in hers when she takes off the lid but I don't have that problem and there is no smell at all. Diana |
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"Kay" wrote in message ... In article , writes On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 11:28:15 +0000 (UTC), "Mike" wrote: The worms used in a compost bin are different to 'yer actual garden worms' so where do they come from? From the soil. There are several species around in the soil. The ones that like high humus levels don't do very well in ordinary soil, but as soon as you dump a compost heap on top of it, they start breeding like mad. I have seen advice on here that one can buy them, but our compost worms 'get themselves' into the compost bins. Could this be because most of our bins are part on but part off the garden in that we have concrete/bricks under them to an extent of about 80%, not by design but by where we want to 'fit them in' to the overall picture. Yes, they'll get in through the 20% that is in contact with the soil, and also from any soil that you put on the heap along with plant roots. If you get compost you get worms. It's automatic, and I can see why it used to be considered magic. Some years ago I was doing some work with a roofing contractor, and we went to ten-storey office block to clear the drains etc. on the flat roof. In one corner a pile of leaves had accumulated where the wind had left them. There were worms underneath it. Steve |
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wrote in message ... On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 11:28:15 +0000 (UTC), "Mike" wrote: snip Someone on the BBC group was complaining about masses of small flies in hers when she takes off the lid but I don't have that problem and there is no smell at all. Diana I've got three compost bins and only the one which is currently in use has the problem with flies. The other two have none at all. I think it's down to having a lot of fruit added to it. The other two have mostly garden clippings in them. -- Martin & Anna Sykes ( Remove x's when replying ) http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~sykesm |
#8
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I had the same problem of flies before. However I read an article saying
that kitchen stuff attracts flies and suggest covering a layer of brown stuff (I used shredded junk mails and newspaper) and moist the layer. The situation has improved a lot then. CK "Martin Sykes" wrote in message ... I've got three compost bins and only the one which is currently in use has the problem with flies. The other two have none at all. I think it's down to having a lot of fruit added to it. The other two have mostly garden clippings in them. |
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