UPDATE PART 2 - DIY Indoor Table Top Pre-Compost Bin
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- Hi! Last night I set up the indoor table top pre-composting bin to use as bedding AND food for the red wigglers. If you missed that instructional how to video, with measurements for each ingredient, you can find it here:
Indoor Table Top Compost Bin to PreCompost Worm Bedding - HOW TO MAKE! Part 1
• PART 1 - DIY Indoor Ta...
This video is our first check in to see if it’s working. Spoiler alert- it is!
I’ll continue to share how the bin is progressing over the next several weeks, sharing additions, modifications, whatever needs doing! Come along for the ride!
Yours in the dirt,
Jayne
#redwigglers #vermicompost #worms #composting
This is an amazing technique, and so clearly explained! Composting with less effort and no smell, getting rid of household food, packing, coffee, and junk mail waste so that they reenter the ecosystem at the most basic level, and having healthier, more productive soil for organic gardening!!! 🎉🎉
@@bkbaxterNYnowIN Thank you so much Bonnie!!!! 💕💕💕❤️
I just set up my first two bins following your guidance: one 5 gallon and one 17 gallon tote. I finished them yesterday ~ 4:00 p.m., and this morning they were up to 110.7°F; a 30°F increase O/N! The main factor was probably that I have personal energy limitations, so my puréed food waste sat in a very warm garage (with a relatively low-power bubbler for aeration after a while) for ~ 2 weeks, and my coffee grounds did the same for ~ 1 week, some sealed and some not. So there were a lot of microbial decomposers already busily at work. I also added some "dung-loving bird's nest fungus," that I took out of my wood-chip-mulched garden and identified via Google. (It is fascinating - I recommend looking it up if you have time. Almost as cool as watching springtails jump in very, very slow motion, ~7K fps, I think, also on RUclips). Anyway, I am thrilled with the progress of my odor-free bins and can't wait to see how they progress. I hope to use the 5 gallon one to add food waste to as I go rather than accumulating so much in my fridge. We'll see.
Looking back at an earlier video, I realized that I made my bins a bit differently than yours: I covered the compost with a fitted (but slightly gapped) piece of cardboard, then the screen and extra shred. This probably resulted in better insulation, but may run a higher risk of going anaerobic. I plan to switch that today.
@@bkbaxterNYnowIN Wow Bonnie! That’s amazing! Good job! Also, welcome to the Castings Crew 🤩.
I’m taking particular more of your 5 gallon heat up as that most challenging. Maybe the key for the super small batch is to have lots of biota vs worrying too much about the carbon to nitrogen ratio ..?🤷♂️ I’d be interested in hearing from you on how long the 5 gallon stays hot. Both mine and Katie’s cooled down real fast - within 24-36 hours of no recall correctly. This didn’t result in great pre-compost as compared to what we get out off the bigger, longer acting totes (like your 17 gallon) but it sure is better than raw cardboard every day of the week! 👍😎.
Dung-loving bird’s nest fungus?! Holy moly! That’s so cool looking! I love the stuff I learn from you guys! 🥰
Fungi is always a good add to the pre-compost mix or even directly into a worm bin. My pre-compost totes often get fungi growing in them. Spores must come from the air. 🤩.
If you’re going to keep adding food scraps to the 5 gallon pre-compost bucket you’ll want to keep adding carbon too so it remains a balance mix. Otherwise it will go nasty 😷. You may have to offload the 5 gallon as it gets full - either into a new tote or add it to the 17 gallon. You’ll have to see which works better for you 😊.
Thanks for sharing what you did - I’m positive others will be able to give the small batch a better shot at success with what you’ve shared 🥰👍🤩🪱
@@bkbaxterNYnowIN Air exchange is very important. The shredded cardboard top allows for more air to get to the entire surface area than a solid piece does. When I did the plastic top, even laid lightly on top it didn’t work at all 😩. I think it’s best to change it out as you suggest 😎🪱
Yesterday I mixed both bins by hand and rearranged the tops so that the solid piece is above the netting and shred, as you suggest. I was disappointed that the temperature of the big bin dropped to 105. But this morning it is above 117° F! I'm very excited!🎉🎉 This is really a fantastic method for using household food waste, junk mail and packaging waste, and coffee grounds, AND ending up with great worm bedding! It is a win, win, win, win!! I'm going to add a financial thank you, because I think this is so great. Thank you for sharing it, and explaining it so clearly.
@@bkbaxterNYnowIN Hi Bonnie! Fantastic!! It’s not unusual for the temperature to drop after mixing. You’re adding in air that is cooler than the air in the pre-compost. But if everything is cooking along it’ll bounce back quickly, just as you saw 👍😍.
I think figuring out a way for ‘regular people’ to easily compost, without fancy expensive machines or large outdoor spaces, is my greatest contribution to mankind! 🤣💕. And I’m only half joking about that. I really am thrilled at home many worm wranglers are doing pre-compost now. We need to start spreading the word beyond worm keeping - it’s good for anyone that has any green space whatsoever or knows someone that has a green space that can use a fantastic soil amendment.
🤩😎👍🪱💕🪱
The screen is such a good idea.
Hi Betty! The screen works really well. It serves several functions. Just remember to make it oversized so you can burrito roll it 😆
Thanks for watching!
You could stitch up that screen rip really easily. I’d recommend using waxed thread or dental floss. No reason to replace.
Hi Marlene! That’s a brilliant idea! Especially for those kind of scrounging for a screen to use and will want to use one for as long as absolutely possible. Thumbs up 👍! Thanks for sharing that idea!
You could use elastic around the tote to keep screen on. Or a bungie cord. I use bug/no seeums netting I had left over from making a tent.
Hi MJ! Absolutely you could although I’m not sure it’s necessary. The weight of the shred on top keeps the screen in place - and it’s not like there’s going to be a wind storm inside 😂. The shred not only helps with keeping any bugs from moving into the cooking pre-compost but also helps keep the heat inside where we want it to help the process along. Do you have shred on top of yours?
Listening to this process Again! I thought you had this in a black trash bag. I am trying to learn. A lot of steps. Maybe I am not smart!!
Hi Debbie! 🤣 You’re fine! It’s a lot to take in when is new. You’ll be a pro in no time 👍.
I use totes. Mostly in the 18-20 gallon size range. It’s really just a few things when you strip it back:
Carbon and nitrogen in a more carbon heavy mix, some type of liquid (I use veggie slurry) and a starting bacteria to get the process started (the yucky veggies do that for me but you can use worm tea castings, yard dirt, yeast, etc). Mix it all up so it’s uniformly moist. Let it cook! That gets you 95% of the way to great ore-composites bedding for your worms 🪱❤️🪱.
Hi Rockin Worms , I tried and followed your steps , my precompost bin is not getting warm / hot any advice , I used sone old fruit juice and vegetable stock , was attempting preparing new bedding for a new tray of worms .also used shredded cardboard ,coffee grounds the tote bin is a little smaller
@@deanthomas1973 Hey Dean! The lack of heating up is usually due to relatively low nitrogen to the amount of carbon (I shoot for only slightly more carbon than nitrogen), lack of biota (did you try adding activated yeast?), or not damp enough (dry pockets won’t compost).
Those are the 3 things I’d check and tweak first. Ok? 🪱
Oh gosh, I didn't realize there was already an update when I did my comment on your last video. D'oh! Pretty neat stuff! I'll be interested to see how hot this gets. I did something similar to this before (in a much smaller container) and could only ever get it up to about 95F.
I’ve had this idea in my head for so long lol so I’m glad to see someone doing it and indoors like I plan to, I’ll be using air stones inserted into bottles of water laying on they sides filled half way with water and holes on top. I’ll have the pump set on a timer so to add oxygen from the bottom and I’ll also be doing a larger amount that way I’ll hit over 100 easy. I played with the idea outside back in 2020 and hit 130 for many many days, but didn’t want to use the outside stuff in my indoor worm bins.
Wow! That’s way more impressive than what I’m doing! Good for you!
These 18-20 gallon totes hot 100 within several hours. They max out - for me - at 113 degrees. 111 degrees max is most common though. Then I combine them into a BIG table top tote on my patio, with the same screening and shred and cardboard lid on top to keep the bugs out. That one then heats up a lot more and I get the orange colored biota - and after about 2 months, mushrooms!
I hope to make a video on recharging the indoor table too pre-compost bin tonight- it’s ready for it. AND I’m
adding a secret easy to get powerhouse addition!! Stay tuned!
I too didn’t want outside compost coming into my house! This is my solution to that!
@@RockinWorms Trust me I love it all lol keep doing it up, you are trying things that’s what’s important trust me.
@@RockinWorms it’s all about experimenting lol plus it’s makes for good content lol stay tuned.
@@RockinWorms btw if you ever get lazy or just not enough time just put some old bedding with castings in water then use that water to make new bedding lol works like a charm to jump start things a lot.
Hi Jane, how long will the pre-compost be ready for the worm bedding? weeks? or months
@@usryjw Hi Jack’ the pre-compost can be used in as worm bedding and food as soon as it’s cooled down below 95F but I strongly recommend that it be cooled below 90F and even down to 85F or so for safety. We don’t want it too hot for the worms! This is for both 1 cycle pre-compost or 2 cycle. They must be cooled down before using. In smaller totes that timing on usually in the week timeframe for 1 cycle and 2 weeks for 2 cycle. That’s a general timing as each batch of pre-compost is different and will heat and cool slightly differently.
As for how long the pre-compost remain fantastic for using in worm bods, that answer in months and months! As long as it’s kept barely damp and has air exchange the biota will remain alive. I’ve had pre-compost that’s several months old work really well in my bins. 👍🪱
That is a great idea I have a lot of landscaping cloth going to get some for the bins and see if helps keep the bin clear of critters 🎉
Hi! I use the screening and deep-ish shred on the pre-compost bins, NOT on the worm bins although I think it would be fine to do so. I go into my worm bins too often to be wanting to deal with the shred every time 😊.
Shout out to the cameraman for the colour commentary! Jayne, would you consider putting those pre-composting bins outdoors or in a garage instead of keeping them in your house?
~ Sandra
Hi Sandra! Please don’t encourage him 🤣.
I actually have a BIG pre-compost bin going on the patio. I filled it with the contents of 2 table top bins that I needed to move once I started making videos 🤣. I run it exactly the same way as the indoor bins. It now has mushrooms growing in it! A sign of very healthy soil I am told. I have not seen bugs in it. I did get a bit of smell toward the bottom twice - I couldn’t smell it until I dug way down. It wasn’t very bad at all but it was there. I turned it all with my hands those 2 times and it’s been fine since.
You can absolutely do this process in a garage, on a patio, or wherever you can find the space for a decent sized bin works.
Thanks for the question! And for watching!
Love this! Would you then feed just this to the worm bin or do you add other stuff when feeding?
Hi! Welcome! I do add amendments in addition to the pre-compost into my worm bins when feeding. I add azomite, dolomite lime, and my dehydrated veggie powder. If I’m using the pre-compost as bedding I also mix in sifted cow manure. Sometimes I use the pre-compost that’s only been thru one heat/cool cycle to act as slow food. I have content that touches on the different ways pre-compost can be used in worms bins. It’s handy stuff! 👍😎❤️🪱
@@RockinWorms Thank you so much! Very helpful🙏
@@scruffynerfhearder8915 You are very welcome! ❤️🪱
Hi there, thanks for sharing, love your videos! I set up 2 breeder bins last week and I was thinking about what I will do when I harvest them. Are the breeders fine to go straight back into a breeder bin to restart the cycle or do you need different breeders? Also, can you just leave the cocoon nursery to mature so it becomes another breeder bin? Thanks heaps!
Hi Scotty! Good questions - thanks for asking them.
Absolutely use the same breeders! Pick/sort them out, give them a look over to make sure they’re still in top condition, add any new ones in if you want to, and get them working in a new breeder bin! They can be set up in new breeder bins every 3 weeks for many many cycles. They are animals though. They don’t live forever. About a year on average in a closed system I read. And since that’s an average, some will die sooner. If you notice a marked decline in worm population then look for issues - food levels, moisture levels, over population of bin companions like mites, etc. If your bin population changes by a handful that’s normal. My counting is by no means 100% accurate! So if I’m off a few on a recount - which I do about every other cycle - I add or take out a few worms. Ok, I never take out, only add 😂.
Yes! You can make the old breeder bin into a nursery bin and then let it mature into a new breeder bin. HOWEVER you will more than likely need to split that nursery/grow out/breeder bin once the worms actually mature IF you want to keep breeding happening. This is why: breeders will make anywhere from 3-9 cocoons EACH during a 21 day cycle. Mine make in the 3-4 cocoon range. Yes I sometimes count ALL the cocoons to gauge what’s happening.
A cocoon on average hatches 2-4 baby worms, 2 being most common. So if you have 300 breeders, you now have about 900 cocoons which results in 1800 (!!) baby worms. Not all live of course but let’s say you end up with 1500 baby worms growing into adults. That original breeder bin is probably way too small to house 1500 breeders comfortably. You need to split that bin. If you want to more or less maintain your current population, perhaps casting production is your focus more than making more worms, do keep the population more dense. Worms will self regulate their population relative to the space they live in. Use that trait to manage your worms to fit your needs.
Does that make sense? Ask me again if I got a bit garbled 😊
Thanks for the kind words. It means a lot to mean that people are finding my videos helpful!
@@RockinWorms wow, thanks again for being so generous with your knowledge!!! The thought of that many cocoons is incredible!!!!!!!
@@scottyghouse incredible or scary, depending on what you want 🤣
I love how she gives a full breakdown lol I’m for sure not mad at that at all, I believe In giving back to RUclips because I’ve learned so much here.
@@ThehandygeekGA I’ve learned so much on RUclips too! I’m trying to pass it on. I’m glad you’re not mad at my in-depth answers 🤣. I guess it’s easy enough to swipe on if they get too borning 😊.
Can we use a clear bin to do this?
Hi Kim! Welcome! I don’t see why not. There’s nothing special about the colored bins other than they tend to be more sturdy and the pre-compost gets really heavy. I’d suggest checking the moisture a bit more frequently at first to see if the clear bin somehow makes the mixture dry out faster. I don’t think it will but checking it a few times isn’t a big deal. You’ll be checking it anyway in a few days to verify the heat is rising. If you do use a clear bin please report back so your experience can be shared with the class 👍🪱😎. Thanks for watching and asking a great question! 🤩
@RockinWorms
Thank you.
I have 1 clear bin that I got from Walmart to hold my yarns. Since the bin was empty, I was wondering if I could use it. Thank you so much.
What is table top composting.
Hi Larry! It’s making pre-composted bedding for the worms. It uses free easy to get ingredients like cardboard, paper, coffee grounds, and vegetable slurry/liquid mixed up in a big tote. Microbes get to work breaking down the ingredients into bite sized morsels for the worms. The worms also eat the microbes as well. With some care and attention, it can be done inside the house without smell or bugs, as opposed to outdoor compost piles. I’ve been making and using this pre-compost for almost a year now. The worms plow thru it very fast! Making beautiful loads of castings ❤️.
I have a playlist that takes you thru the steps, including a few missteps too! Want the link? ❤️🪱
Why would you not just put the lid on it?
Hi Shaun! It’s been a minute- how are you?
A well ventilated old may work but lots of air flow is what’s needed while hot composting, which what we are doing on a small scale. I tried using a plastic bag laid loosely on top as a ‘lid’ and I didn’t get anywhere near the composting action the burrito top bin produced.
Also once the pre-compost cools down bugs will be very interested in colonizing it 😳. The dry deep shred is a very effective (not perfect but prefer darn good) barrier to keep the bugs out. Ok? 🪱🪱😎
@@RockinWorms I'm doing great! I'm going back through the playlist as you can see for reminders lol. Thanks for the info that makes a lot of sense.
@@shaunnichols8170 Awesome that you’re doing awesome! 🤩.
That’s one thing that’s great about the RUclips videos - you can watch them as often as needed. I rewatch videos to refresh my memory too. I reread comments for the same reason 😎. Have you seen the advanced pre-compost making videos I made recently? 🪱🪱
@RockinWorms not yet but it's on the list. I did just finishe the most recent questions video though. I know how important it is for those watch times :). I run a few channels myself actually lol
@@shaunnichols8170 Oh I didn’t know you had channels too 👍.
Watch times and people sitting thru the ads (even on silent!) really helps the creator. 🥰
Keep asking questions! We all get better that way 🪱👍🪱