Worms for compost bins?

floss2

I've decided I need some worms for my 3 allotment compost bins - can anyone suggest a good place to order from online?

nickj_2

just put some stuff in the bin , if there are any worms around they will soon make the bin their home esp if you put some old fruit and veg in there

forgotmyname

I put a pile of fresh manure in the corner a while back, I turned it over as the top looked all dry, Underneath all the damp bits had tons of tiny little red worms doing their business.

Are they sealed bins or open at the bottom?

Keep it nice and damp to start off with.

floss2

They are daleks, they were on the plot when I took it on 18m ago.

They do get used, I keep putting stuff in them, but it isn't all rotting down. I've tried stirring it with a fork but I can't get in right to the bottom and they are too heavy to lift, and can't be turned over because of where they are sited.

Mojisola

If you want to compost the stuff, read up on that - eg. https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicgardening/compost_pf.php

If you want a worm bin, buy some worms at a fishing tackle shop.

A compost bin should get too hot for the the worms to be comfortable - that's what kills off the weed seeds. A worm bin doesn't damage seeds - when you spread the compost, you'll spread the seeds.

After compost has cooled down, worms will naturally move from the soil to finish the job - you can add worms at that stage if you want to.

Farway

floss2 wrote: »

They are daleks, they were on the plot when I took it on 18m ago.

They do get used, I keep putting stuff in them, but it isn't all rotting down. I've tried stirring it with a fork but I can't get in right to the bottom and they are too heavy to lift, and can't be turned over because of where they are sited.

The weather has been cold as we all know, give it time. Wait for weather to warm up. I have found Daleks take two or more years to rot down

To paraphrase, "build it & they will come" also applies to compost. Worms, and slugs, move in from who knows where? But they do arrive by magic. Do not worry about slugs in compost, it is nature, they help the process and any eggs will be eaten by birds once compost is spread out

And try a bit of urine to get it going, loads of tips on here

cjb02

I would not buy any worms, they will come on their own.
I have 4 compost bins. I put food waste in and garden waste.If I put lots of plant stuff in then I periodically cover it over with soil to push it down and compact it. I have never added worms to my bin but they are full of worms. If I think they are dry I do periodically water them as life will move in quicker when damp. Mine usually take about 12 months to rot down once filled. Then I move on to the next bin. I have 2 at home and 2 at the allotment.

If you did want to buy worms though, then try an anglers shop for bait. Although again, I would suggest not wasting your money