Does a worm hotel cause nuisance from fruit flies? I’m often asked that question. The answer is: Yes, fruit flies will come to your worm bin. But….. you can do something about it to prevent nuisance. If you suffer from fruit flies, it is usually in the (late) summer. The eggs that are already… Continue reading Fruit flies in your worm bin
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The (virtual) Compost Garden
All of Balkonton’s worm bins and compost barrels can be viewed in the Compost Garden in Amsterdam North. Make an appointment and you will receive a personal, no-obligation tour of my garden where everything is set up and in operation. Of course you can then answer all your questions about (worm) composting.
Composting in the city, is that possible?
In the meantime, most people know that you can easily compost your own organic waste with a worm bin. But what if you look up to a worm colony or just have more waste than a standard worm bin can handle? Is an ordinary compost heap or compost container suitable in the city? Little space… Continue reading Composting in the city, is that possible?
Installation Balkonton Classic step by step
NOTE: the orange bags are no longer included because it turns out to be more convenient to harvest the compost by hand (possibly with household gloves on) from above. Normally the worms are in the upper part, which you can first put aside or put on top of the soil around the worm tube. They… Continue reading Installation Balkonton Classic step by step
The 7 most important care tips for compost worms.
Compost worms cannot withstand extreme heat. So keep the worm bin out of the sun in the summer. At temperatures below 15 degrees, the worms go into a kind of hibernation. If you want to continue composting, put the worm bin inside or protect it from the cold. Feed your worms uncooked vegetable and fruit… Continue reading The 7 most important care tips for compost worms.
Workshop “Make your own Balkonton” will no longer be held.
I am regularly asked when there will be anotherBalkonton MakingBalkonton ” workshop. Unfortunately, I must then reply that I no longer teach this workshop. It was always a lot of fun and inspiring to do. But I quit anyway. It often took me 2 days to pack all the tools and materials, transport them, conduct… Continue reading Workshop “Make your own Balkonton” will no longer be held.
Lava flour helps fight horsemotter and improve soil
A clean, mineral-poor soil can therefore be slowly improved by removing the horsesaus every year and mulching it. Lava flour also improves the structure of the soil
Do the worms stay in the worm bin?
How do you keep the compost worms in your worm hotel? Have you ever seen a worm crawling out of the earth to crawl a bit over the pavement or against a lamppost? The answer is probably: NO. You will also not see your compost worms going for a walk. The explanation is simple. First,… Continue reading Do the worms stay in the 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?
October: time to plant garlic
In October, you can still sow winter peas and turnip greens. But even the smallest balcony is not yet filled with that. That’s why here’s the October plant tip: Garlic From October to even December you can plant garlic. In the spring you make garlic butter from your own harvest. Instead of writing a whole… Continue reading October: time to plant garlic
Summer vacation
Due to the summer holidays, all orders will be sent after 24 July.
Mulching?
What is mulching? Mulching is covering the earth with material. At first, you do it to prevent dehydration. You can use anything for this. From pebbles to dry leaves. Why mulch? Your mulch layer protects the earth from the sun’s radiation and prevents evaporation. So you save water and protect your plants from drying out.… Continue reading Mulching?
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
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?
Eisinia Fetida versus Eisinia Hortensis
On the Internet and in the literature you will find a lot of (sometimes contradictory) information about two different types of compost worms: the Eisinia Fetida and the Eisinia Hortensis. In this table I try to get all the information in a row. Will you help me to separate the wheat from the chaff and… Continue reading Eisinia Fetida versus Eisinia Hortensis
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