Tag Archives: san antonio red worms

Used coffee grounds for compost and worm food.

16 Jul

Along with our families food waste, horse and cow manure, I have been adding a fair amount of used coffee grounds to my compost piles and red worm beds.  For the past several weeks I have been stopping off at some local coffee shops for their used coffee grounds.  Concerned about the acidity level of the used coffee grounds I did a little research, and found out that the acid is water soluble and mostly removed in the brewing process.  What is left is close to neutral on the pH scale and a great source of Nitrogen for your plants, compost, or worms.

For more information on how to use coffee grounds for compost and fertilizer check out Ground to Ground.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The right temperature for red worms.

13 Jul

Is it too hot or too cold to raise worms where you live?  Red wigglers are hearty critters, but do need the right temperature, moisture, and food.

Red worms (Eisenia Fetida) do best in temperatures between 55-77 degrees Fahrenheit, but can survive from 40-80 degrees F.  Outside worm bins are subject to the elements and sometimes much more extreme temperatures in Summer and Winter.  To remedy this a worm pit is an effective way to combat these extreme temperatures.  The underground temperature holds a more constant temperature.  Thermal inertia means that below ground temps. stay cooler that air temps. in Summer and warmer in the Winter.

I have built worm pits outdoors in South and East Texas, and they have done very well.  A worm pit can be a simple worm bed that is dug several inches underground in a shady spot with a protective cover, or by placing a plastic pot or bucket halfway or more into the ground to keep out of the elements.

I keep several smaller bins indoors.  Plastic containers make terrific worm bins, and can be kept odor free, and bug free indoors.  You can purchase starter farms that are set up w/ bedding, food, castings, and hundreds of worms from TexasRedWorms.com.

Tags: , , , , ,

Red Worm Farm

21 Jun

A fun easy way to reduce waste and turn your thumb green is by composting with Red Worms. $40 gets you your own red wiggler worm farm. Includes bin, castings, red worms, and food. All you have to do is add your table scraps, shredded newspaper, and watch the worms do the rest. Red wigglers turn food wasted into castings and vermicompost tea for your plants, yard, and garden, and bait.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Red Worm Farming Tips

21 Jun

Red Worm Farming tips:

•Keep farm in a dark place or all day shade if outside.

•Add bedding (shredded newspaper/cardboard) to eliminate smell, and soak up moisture and prevent mold and fungus.

•Keep worms moist 60%-80% (food scraps will usually provide enough moisture).

•Every few months, harvest the castings for plants and excess worms to start a new bin for yourself or a friend.

•Happy worms will churn through waste and be prolific breeders. Eggs sacs, juveniles, and mature adults will be present.

•Worms are hardy critters, but need to be protected from extreme temperatures and sunlight. 40F-80F

•Feed worms eggshells, cardboard, paper, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, yard clippings, aged cow, chicken, rabbit, or horse manure.

•Avoid feeding worms dairy, meat, grease, dog or cat feces.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Newer Entries →