explanation of overwintering compost worms
Category: compost worms
When is the best time to start a worm hotel?
In the spring you can finally go into the garden. And at that point, I also see a spike in worm bin orders every year. Because at that moment, most people think that they need compost. That’s actually quite a shame. Because how useful would it be if your compost was ready at that time?… Continue reading When is the best time to start a worm hotel?
Can compost worms withstand the heat?
The answer is simple: compost worms cannot withstand the heat. Outside temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius can be disastrous. Especially in a dark worm box that is in full sun, the temperature can easily rise to above 40 degrees. From 35 degrees, they will really try to flee from your worm bin en masse to… Continue reading Can compost worms withstand the heat?
Worms Workshops in May
in May 2023, you can attend a children’s workshop on compost worms at both the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam and the Zonneplein in Amsterdam Noord.
What is worm tea?
Worm percolate After a few weeks, a dark liquid may drip out of your worm bin. This moisture is called ‘worm percolate’ and is also called ‘worm tea’. Worm percolate consists of : the moisture released from the kitchen waste wormenurine substances dissolved in the above liquids. Dilute worm percolate with water for 1:10 to… Continue reading What is worm tea?
How do you protect your worms from the cold?
Read the tips in the blog,share your photo on Facebook and have a chance to win a worm bin (re)starter pack. This makes your worm colony a quick restart when the temperatures start to rise again. The winner will be announced on February 28. NB: the starter package has gone to Stichting Mens en Tuin,a… Continue reading How do you protect your worms from the cold?
Cardboard in the worm bin
You can read it in every manual for worm composting: always alternate the kitchen waste that you feed to your compost worms with a layer of cardboard, or other waste from the ‘brown’ group. Such as branches, straw, dry leaves. Yet I notice that many people forget that adding cardboard at some point. And that’s… Continue reading Cardboard in the worm bin
Speed up worm bin compost process
How do you get your compost worms to process more waste? Many people have a worm bin because it is a quick way of composting. Worm composting is a compost method that also takes up little space due to its speed. Sometimes the working pace of the compost worms is unfortunately a bit disappointing. I… Continue reading Speed up worm bin compost process
How many compost rings should I order for my worm bin?
As a guideline, you can keep in mind that you need approximately 1 compost ring per person. With a minimum of 3 rings for a good functioning of your worm bin. And a maximum of 6 rings because of the weight. But there are several factors that play a role: How many vegetables do you… Continue reading How many compost rings should I order for my worm bin?
Help, the top compost ring of my worm bin fills up too quickly
There can be several reasons that the upper ring is already full before the bottom ring is composted: From too low temperature to too much waste. Either way, you have an acute problem. What to do? Here you have four options: 4 ways to empty a compost ring See if the compost in the bottom… Continue reading Help, the top compost ring of my worm bin fills up too quickly
How long can you store compost worms in the packaging?
You can easily store the compost worms for 2 weeks in the bag in which they are sent. They are packed in a large amount of growing soil. That is compost, bedding and nutrition for at least 2 weeks. Make the contents of the bag of compost worms nice and moist However, it is important… Continue reading How long can you store compost worms in the packaging?
Can I still go on holiday if I have a worm bin?
You can easily leave your worms alone for a week or 2 in the summer. If you are going away longer, ask a good neighbor to feed something 1 time a week. What you really shouldn’t do is add a supply of food for several weeks in one go. That will stink and scare away… Continue reading Can I still go on holiday if I have a worm bin?
Why doesn’t a worm bin stink?
A well-functioning worm bin smells like fresh forest soil, with perhaps a hint of coffee or banana, just what you fed to your worms last. Compost worms eat your waste as soon as it starts to rot. Before the bacteria that cause the stench of rotting fruit can develop. Only if you feed your compost… Continue reading Why doesn’t a worm bin stink?
House-Worming in Alkmaar
Information worm composting at Gaaf Groen. Come to Pop Up Centre Gaaf Groen on Meerweg 11 in Alkmaar on Thursday 24 September at 19:30 for the festive opening of the neighbourhood worm bin, and for information about setting up a worm bin yourself. Worm composting is the way to close the biological cycle in the… Continue reading House-Worming in Alkmaar
Anti-snail tip
A few snails in your Balkonton is not a problem: they eat the dead worms, digest waste. but unfortunately they also eat your plants. Anti snail tip: wrap some copper wire around the legs of your Balkonton or vegetable garden container. They never get over that. Make sure that the wire is ‘grounded’, so either… Continue reading Anti-snail tip
Catching compost worms
I’m currently experimenting with ways to catch tiger worms (or compost worms) myself. Of course you can just buy them, but catching them yourself seemed like a nice idea. Here is the first report of my progress. I would love to hear your experiences and tips! The goal is to collect the best tips. On… Continue reading Catching compost worms
Tips to control the humidity in your Balkonton
A good humidity in the Balkonton is important: not too dry, but certainly not too wet. Compost worms breathe through their skin. They can even drown if it gets too wet. The contents of your worm tube should be about as moist as a squeezed sponge. Balcony barrel too dry? A worm tube that is… Continue reading Tips to control the humidity in your Balkonton
The benefits of worm droppings or vermicompost
The compost worms in your Balkonton or worm bin digest your organic waste. What remains is ‘vermicompost’. A mixture of worm droppings, fungi, bacteria, and organic matter. This worm droppings can be used as fertilizer. Worm compost has many advantages over other fertilizers. To name a few: 1: Your plants grow faster Worm droppings contain… Continue reading The benefits of worm droppings or vermicompost
How much waste can compost worms convert per day?
The Eisinia Fetida can, under ideal conditions, convert approximately its own weight in waste per day into vermicompost. In addition, the volume of your waste shrinks to 20% of the waste volume. The Eisinia Hortensis eats a little less, but has other positive properties. If you start your Balkonton with a handful of worms, you… Continue reading How much waste can compost worms convert per day?
What are the best compost worms?
Suppliers of worm boxes swear by a mix of Eisinia Fetida and the Eisinia Hortensis for a quick conversion of many organic waste to vermicompost. (source: http://www.duurzametuinartikelen.nl/wormen-voor-een-wormenbak) We also recommend this mix for the Balkonton. Especially because the Eisinia Hortensis not only converts plant material into compost, but also contributes to improving the soil… Continue reading What are the best compost worms?
What is the difference between earthworms and compost worms
Sometimes the name earthworm is used as a collective name for all kinds of worm species. But usually this means the gray worm or Aporrectodea calliginosa. Grey worms are soil dwellers. They eat themselves through the soil and that is good for the soil structure. In the Netherlands, this is the most common worm. They… Continue reading What is the difference between earthworms and compost worms
Where to buy compost worms?
You can buy your compost worms through our webshop. Order them through our webshop. Then you get a mix of Eisinia Fetida and Eisinia Hortensis teo-controlled. About 200 grams is more than enough to start your Balkonton. For a larger worm bin, choose a portion of 500 grams. If you order a worm bin from… Continue reading Where to buy compost worms?