European Night Crawlers: Optimizing Worm Farm Size

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  • Опубликовано: 25 май 2024
  • / @plantobsessed
    In this video I discuss the differences between a new bin and mature and what that means.
    Playlist for the European Night Crawlers Here
    • European Night Crawlers
    See description below-I purchased 500 Cocoons in 2019 from ETCWL and was given 1 pound of adult ENC from NE worms The bins were started in July 2021 I am an Amazon affiliate. The items below are the Amazon affiliate links for the items I use in my wormery. The cost is the same to you.
    MICROSCOPE
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    Tetra 16172 Aqua Safe Fish Tank Water Conditioner
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    Water Nozzle caps
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    SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, 1/4" Mesh Screen - GP2-14
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    SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, 1/8" Mesh Screen - GP2-18
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    SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, Mesh Size 1/12" - GP2-112
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    Down to Earth Organic Alfalfa Meal
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    Fish scale, Dr.meter Backlit LCD Display 110lb/50kg
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    BLACK+DECKER Coffee Grinder
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    pH meter TDS meter compo pack
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    Mesh bags to make worm tea
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    Coco coir Coco Bliss
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    Organic Kelp Fertilizer
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    SE 5-Piece Set of Patented Stackable 13-¼” Sifting Pans - GP2-5 SET
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    SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, 1/4" Mesh Screen - GP2-14
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    Bon Tool 11-407 Utility Tub - 26" X 20"
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    Tetra 16172 Aqua Safe Fish Tank Water Conditioner
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    Worm Farmers Handbook Book
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    Uncle Jims European Night Crawlers
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    Uncle Jims Product page
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Комментарии • 81

  • @MississippiPrepper
    @MississippiPrepper Месяц назад +13

    Your channel is so underrated. I just love your worm videos. I just started my new worm bin a couple months ago. My biggest obstacle is going from feeding to harvesting.

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +1

      Thank you for the kind words. Patience is key. It is so hard to wait. Pretty soon you will be up to your eyes in worm casting.😀👍🏼🪱

    • @amypeterson7463
      @amypeterson7463 Месяц назад +1

      I totally agree!! I started a worm bin about 7 years ago, and I NEVER harvested out of it. I didn't know how to do it easily. Between this channel and Vermicompost's channel, I learned SOOO much. I have binge watched all of their videos. Now I wait a few weeks, and make a playlist and watch all of their videos that I have missed. Now I just need Ann to make a outdoor gardening channel, and maybe a cooking/canning channel LOL

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +3

      @@amypeterson7463 maybe some day. Lol I currently have a full time job.

    • @amypeterson7463
      @amypeterson7463 Месяц назад +4

      @@PlantObsessed quit your job and be a full time RUclipsr 🤣. J/k

    • @lindaspellman2108
      @lindaspellman2108 Месяц назад

      After a few pest invasions my worms got banned from the house and are now in the garage. Do you think if I freeze bags of rice from the store it will be enough to keep them cool? I can put them under the bins to prevent worms breaking into the rice vault

  • @ClickinChicken
    @ClickinChicken Месяц назад +1

    You're a great teacher and orator! My personal joke, and hand model! You have a lot of experience at this!

  • @eleanoraddy4683
    @eleanoraddy4683 Месяц назад +2

    My indoor worm bin has lots of small worms but I just harvested a tray from the stacking bin that lives on my outside compost heap and the worms out there are monstrous! Found a few wild additions as well, also huge!❤😂

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +1

      More real estate and surface area makes the worms bigger. 👍🏼🪱😀

  • @A-V
    @A-V Месяц назад +2

    Whoa! Those are some impressive chubby wormies! :)

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      Right? They are already breeding like nuts for me. Soon there will be 2 big ENC bins with their help.🪱👍🏼😀

  • @Vermicompost
    @Vermicompost Месяц назад +2

    I'm going with 300 added. I wish I had a basement so I could have awesome womeries like you and AV!!! Those were some gorgeous ENC's!!! I would not say my worms slow down in the "winter" here in Florida...they just speed up in the summer time😂Good Worms!! Great video!!!🪱🪱🪱

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +1

      Basements are great. Lol. It's where I Involuntarily keep my collection of big scary spiders. Do you know what temp your UWB stays in the winter out on your porch? 😀🪱👍🏼

  • @nusoilwormfarm7980
    @nusoilwormfarm7980 Месяц назад +2

    Thanks for all you do for the community Ann!! I appreciate the shout out!!

    • @amypeterson7463
      @amypeterson7463 Месяц назад

      Do you have a link?

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      Next week is the big one 😀 put your Business link in and I'll pin it.,

  • @Trundlebugg
    @Trundlebugg Месяц назад +2

    I’m just coming up on 1 year of my bathtub wedge wormery (big orange 🧡(70s tub!)) which I’ve modelled off blue! 💙😃
    Still trying to build up enough worms to deal with more of our kitchen scraps as at the moment it probably only handles 1/4 but it’s been working well. I set it up with the feeding zone at the plug end and the sloped head rest end has been really good for drying out the finished castings as you can bank them up to get more airflow.
    The castings have made a huge difference to my seedlings this year which is where I use the bulk of them.
    Thank you so much for your channel, I’ve learnt more here than anywhere else about the subject 😊
    👋 from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +1

      Nice, I had a big blue 70s tub when I moved in. Worm castings are amazing I can see why they cost so much at the store.😀🪱👍🏼

  • @bob.hudson
    @bob.hudson Месяц назад +3

    Thank you so much for sharing your work with the worms. I have started outdoor a system as close as it can be from your blue bin. For me it is just a wooden box.
    The amount of compost I get from this system is amazing and I can maintain a countinous flow where I can add food every week or so.
    It is a very elegant way to compost and very efficient. Love it.

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +3

      You are welcome I'm glad I can help. I don't remember what I did before I had worms. I'm ashamed to think I put all this in the garbage.👍🏼🪱😔

    • @amypeterson7463
      @amypeterson7463 Месяц назад +1

      How do you deal with animals? I want to start a large outdoor system, but I am worried about mice, skunks...

    • @bob.hudson
      @bob.hudson Месяц назад

      @@amypeterson7463 You have to tarp it and make sure when you feed the compost to put ingredients that intruders are not going to care about.

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      @@amypeterson7463 I don't do much outside other than hot compost. I do get mice in the basement and I put out traps. I call it the mother nature tax. 🤷🏼‍♀️

  • @peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920
    @peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920 Месяц назад

    Good morning, Ann, from Windermere, Florida zone 9b 🇺🇸
    I love Blue, but this Demi-Blue boy looks great, too 💙
    Your system is amazing. I'm always looking to you for more information.
    Take care
    ❤Peggy❤

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад

      Thank you! I'm glad I have been helpful 🪱😀👍🏼

  • @brianseybert192
    @brianseybert192 Месяц назад +2

    Hey Ann!
    The bins in your basement are truly awesome, great way of producing a lot of castings, without spending a ton of money.
    Nice way of comparing the two bins as for as harvesting, and how you handle them day to day, plus how temperatures and humidity play important roles. Another good thing you point out is the large populations of worms in the bins to handle such large feedings.
    I have found out that large volume bins are the way to go if you want to harvest a lot of castings. I just harvested 94 pounds of castings from one of the 50 gal grow bag bins I had in the basement over the winter. Even in my 50F basement the red wigglers were very comfortable.
    I found a couple ears of corn in the refrigerator too that got moldy, going to loosen up the husks and see how long it takes for them to disappear.
    Quick question! With all the worms you have, why did you get more? Just curious.
    Have a great day! Stay Well!!!

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      They were a gift from a new company called nusoil worm farm.. I give them a shout out and an opportunity to show their products. Promote small businesses. . I have done the same for NE worms and even back in the day when the crazy worm lady was selling worms and cocoons. 🪱😀👍🏼

    • @brianseybert192
      @brianseybert192 Месяц назад +3

      @@PlantObsessed OK! Just thought you had a reason for fresh genetics, or something similar.
      I wish people got along as well as different worms do, except jumping worms of course.
      Stay Well!!!

  • @cherylhowker1792
    @cherylhowker1792 Месяц назад +1

    Those new worms were huge …. Even compared to when I brought some 8months ago
    Though they were big as only had red wigglers before. But then you got are well large.
    I hope they stay that way was their caccons will be bigger and easier to see if you harvesting them and get them

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      They are awesome. I should be able to populate the new bin quickly with them.👍🏼🪱😀

  • @amypeterson7463
    @amypeterson7463 Месяц назад

    I really appreciate your content, and that you always answer questions. You have helped me so much

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +1

      Happy to help! Anything for my worm family 👍🏼🪱😁

  • @theresarothenberger2264
    @theresarothenberger2264 Месяц назад +1

    Thank you for all that you do for us. Your information is endless. I’m in a position where I have too many worms. I’ve given many large bins away to gardeners. I would like to sell them and wondered if you had a pamphlet on the power of worms, worm tea, etc. I can’t sell online and nor sure how to advertise. Can you help me! Thanks again

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      I don't have a pamphlet but I'm sure Google ai could make you one. I see people sell at garage sales and plant sales here.🪱👍🏼😀

  • @dnawormcastings
    @dnawormcastings Месяц назад

    Nice big fat happy worms 🇳🇿❤️

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад

      Yes they are. They should make it easy to get the next bin populated 👍🏼😀🪱

  • @sandyjoao4489
    @sandyjoao4489 Месяц назад

    Hiya Ann nice to see the enc worms .they are cute and chubby. Love to see the fluffing likeni always say kneading the dough he he . Happy forbyour worms and good worms as you always say. Take care

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      I do love to see the breeders when they are so far and happy. They will make me more happy worms. 👍🏼🪱😀

  • @gregbutler9873
    @gregbutler9873 Месяц назад +3

    You have come a long way since your first subscriber!!! Just think how many subscribers you would have if only the ones who just drop by to watch your videos would subscribe as well. Algorithms do not lie … I bet you would have over 100 k subscribers if they would only hit the subscribe button and post a short comment , besides it is all free and where do you find good entertainment for free❤?

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      According to my statistics only 40% of people that watch my channel are subscribed. I can see when someone is publicly subscribed. 👍🏼🪱😲

    • @cherylhowker1792
      @cherylhowker1792 Месяц назад +2

      @@PlantObsessedwow sorry I’m shocked at that number, the first thing I did was to subscribe I found the information so easy to follow and understand that there seemed no point not to be told.

  • @user-vi9lt9ob3j
    @user-vi9lt9ob3j 19 дней назад

    Thank you for the helpful video. I hope you can help me with my problem. A lot of ants entered my worm bin. What should I do? Thanks again.

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  19 дней назад

      Usually increasing the moisture significantly helps according to other people. I am lucky to not have that issue. 🪱👍🏼🙂

  • @NanasWorms
    @NanasWorms Месяц назад

    Hi Ann, do you think there is any benefit to interrupt the wedge temporarily and do a total bin fluff to distribute moisture? I'm getting a batch of ENC cocoons next week!
    ~ Sandra
    p.s. Your colour coordinated tshirt was a nice touch!

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      Yes I believe getting air in there outweighs the disruption. Good luck with the ENC babies. They grow crazy fast.😀👍🏼🪱

  • @annsalty5615
    @annsalty5615 Месяц назад

    Worm heaven 🙂🪱🪱🪱

  • @someonetalkstea4835
    @someonetalkstea4835 Месяц назад +1

    I'm anxious to see if they maintain that size. I've only had worms a year. They were huge when I purchased them, but they aren't now. I wonder if the huge ones died off, and the offspring will get bigger? Or did they shrink? They are composting so fine with me either way, but if I decide to fish, I think I'll need to buy worms.

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад

      Same here. They start out big then in a year they are all small again. I don't go fishing as much as I once did, so that's ok. I think it is the future generations that are smaller. If you feed them lots of worms chow they can stay big but I don't need them to be big just eat my garbage. 😀👍🏼🪱

  • @troydunn6228
    @troydunn6228 21 день назад

    Do you have any contact information from New Soil Worm Farm? Those are nice sized ENCs.

  • @IOSARBX
    @IOSARBX Месяц назад +1

    Plant Obsessed, This is great! Let's be friends and have fun together!

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад

      Welcome to the worm family 🪱👍🏼😀

  • @ausfoodgarden
    @ausfoodgarden Месяц назад

    Gee, they are some fat worms you got! I'm stuck with a multi-level bin and a couple of extra totes. But still going well.
    We don't produce enough eggshells for grit so I'm mixing in sand and some DE. The worms seem fine with it.
    Cheers!

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад

      Absolutely, worms don't care where the grit comes from. Happy worm farming 🪱😀👍🏼

  • @memprime
    @memprime Месяц назад

    Hello again. Is calcium carbonate sand safe to put in worm bins as grit if one doesn't have eggshells? Thank you.

    • @amypeterson7463
      @amypeterson7463 Месяц назад +1

      Yes.

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад

      I'm not sure I have never heard of it before. Maybe someone else will answer you that reads the comments.👍🏼🪱😀

  • @janeannmatlock6449
    @janeannmatlock6449 18 дней назад

    I built I’ve bin system with two bins with holes and a catchall bin at the bottom. But I’m really struggling with the heat. I’m in West Texas and the temperatures are top and 95 outside already which means it’s only going to get hotter. If I got a barrel and did a big barrel bin, would I be doing my worms a service to get the heat down. Already learned the hard way I need to feed less nitrogen. I had to do an emergency sifting of my bed to get my worms out of the bed because it temperature got so hot. And I had so many people telling me add more cardboard this at the other I was like they don’t have time for cardboard to bring the temperature down so I pulled them out and put them in, a bin that had old castings in it that were cool and then gave them a lot feeding in the old castings while I got the temperature down in their bed and then resifted it and put them back in their bin and they’re OK now. But I’m worrying about them. My worms have to be outside best case scenario in the shop, but it gets really hot in the shop. I’m saving that for this winter my house is too small to have warm indoors. But I have a guy who’s giving barrels away for free all I have to do is go get them. Is this the way to go?

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  18 дней назад

      I do not envy you dealing with Texas heat and an outside worm bin. The best you can do is provide shade, ventilation and keep them very damp. They will likely not eat much until it cools to the 80's ( If you have red wigglers or ENC). Blue worms or ANC might do better. How is your pest situation. Any issues with lizards or rodents? 👍🏼🪱😊

    • @janeannmatlock6449
      @janeannmatlock6449 14 дней назад

      @@PlantObsessed I thought I had red wiggles but… I bought them from uncle Jim and the try to make a brake for it every time we get a thunderstorm.
      I went from a 3 bin system to a much, much larger 1 bin that I drilled holes in the bottom and covered with screen. Then drilled a billion air vents at the top, not the lid. Spread them out thinner and I have started a pre-compost bin. So far it is helping.

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  13 дней назад +1

      @@janeannmatlock6449 ahh yes blue worms are divas. They should do much better in your heat... If they stay in the bin long enough. 🪱👍🏼🙂

  • @vincentfontana1718
    @vincentfontana1718 Месяц назад

    I bought 1000 worms and started my bin in an old RV tub, is that too big to start with or will it be just fine

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад

      1000 worms in a full tub is probably too big. If it is only a few inches full it will be ok. They double the population every 3 months. The more room the faster they breed. The downside is It will be a year before you get castings. If your goal is to build your population then it is a good plan.👍🏼🪱😀

  • @davidguenzel1441
    @davidguenzel1441 Месяц назад +1

    you have two channels??

    • @davidguenzel1441
      @davidguenzel1441 Месяц назад

      Why??

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      What made you think that? I do not have 2 channels. One is more than enough work with a full time job. Happy worm farming.👍🏼🪱😀

  • @DebWHNP
    @DebWHNP Месяц назад

    What's the benefit of using European worms over red wigglers?

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +1

      For me in my environment the ENC are often larger and work in cooler temperatures. I find they are better at carbon rich food where the Reds are seemingly better at eating kitchen scraps. Because I have a worm channel I like to showcase all the worm breeds. If I didn't have a channel I would have a bin of mixed species. 👍🏼🪱😀

    • @DebWHNP
      @DebWHNP Месяц назад

      @@PlantObsessed I live in the southeast corner of Alabama. Hot and humid. I am using red wigglers. I love your channel and set up my first bin after watching you. Thank you!

  • @amypeterson7463
    @amypeterson7463 Месяц назад

    Where to you buy your cocoons?

    • @PlantObsessed
      @PlantObsessed  Месяц назад +2

      I have not seen anyone selling cocoons lately. I got these worms from nusoil worm farm. Maybe someone in the comments can help. 👍🏼🪱😀

    • @cherylhowker1792
      @cherylhowker1792 Месяц назад +1

      I know Jayne at rocking worms sells caccons but don’t know if she has a set distance to ship. She’s on RUclips too and I’m sure she be happy to hear from you and help ya if she can. Her prices are good from what I’ve seen.
      I’m not in the us so prices are different here and obviously can’t ship here.

    • @amypeterson7463
      @amypeterson7463 Месяц назад

      @@cherylhowker1792 Do you have a link, or know the name of the channel?

    • @cherylhowker1792
      @cherylhowker1792 Месяц назад

      @@amypeterson7463 rockinworms… maybe it’s not got a g in it, I’ll double check

    • @cherylhowker1792
      @cherylhowker1792 Месяц назад +1

      @@amypeterson7463 yep no g
      So rockin worms
      I think Ann follows her channel, I think I’ve seen comments. Maybe I’m wrong