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 | Bedding for your earthworm bin or kit. |
There are many suggestions on bedding, when I first started I was told that I "HAD" to use peat moss and only a certain kind, to successfully start a worm bed, I bought the stuff for years before I found out I didn't have to have peat moss at all...More expert advice! I was told that I had to have manure mixed in with it, WRONG. I was told that I had to add dirt for the earthworms gizzards, wrong again, NOW Red Wigglers don't even have gizzards.. in other words the experts drove me nuts! So what is my "expert" advise?
I start mine with ripped up newspaper, this is the only time in their lives that I spoil them... I rip it lengthwise into about 2 inch strips, not by individual sheets but by the whole section. Each section I grab by the fold and rip downwards. A whole bunch of 2 inch strips at once. I don't separate them, I just toss them all into a bucket, fill it with water, soak them until they become soaked all the way through. About an hour. Dump the water out and finish draining in my kit...The soaked paper should cover about 3-4 inches of the bottom of your kit.
I toss in a couple of handfuls of dirt, compost or potting soil (from a plant that didn't make it), not for their Gizzards, but just as a safe place for them to get out of the bedding if need be. During the first few weeks, when it starts breaking down, it generates heat and can sour, this dirt acts as a buffer and "safe zone". I put this at one end, the end I won't be feeding on... I just feed on one end...
When the water stops draining out of the bottom of the kit, add the earthworms, I just dump them into one pile and gently spread them out a little over that area, with the bedding that they came in... pour another cup of water over the top, it seems to settle everything down a little, let drain well and then put the drawer into the cabinet, or put your lid on or a loose cover, they like it dark and cool so move them to their new home area with this in mind.
Here again "No excuse", if you have fishing anywhere in your area, then you will undoubtedly have Red worms at the bait dealers, hardware store, or somewhere, if you have to buy them this way, it is more expensive, but it is still a start. You can start them in a coffee can, if you have too... so Lets get them and get started.....for those that haven't yet!
| Feeding MY babies: |
The worms will be eating very little, for the next week or so. Their food has to start decomposing in order for them to eat it. So, what you add today will be what they will eat in a few days or even a week from now....Right now they will not need anything to eat, but you can add one piece of bread and some coffee grounds or tea bags if you have them... DON'T dump all those leftovers on them yet...You will just make the bedding sour and the worms sick...During the next few weeks the bedding will start breaking down, and the worms will be eating it, they will need very little between now and then. Just watch the bread, it will get moldy, but don't panic, its okay... its just doing what its suppose too. Don't worry they will soon be eating all your leftovers, rubbing their tummies and looking at you with big, begging eyes, asking for more! When the bread starts disappearing add another slice.
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T-Dome Homes Basic Manual