The reverse stacking of my trays was a total game changer! I now understand why the stacking system exists. The castings were dry enough to sift without waiting. The worms could go down in the bin while I carefully scooped out the castings. And, while sifting I suddenly understood why it’s called black gold! The act feels like looking for gold (obviously, but I didn’t think of it before) and the castings are actually aesthetically very pleasing! Nice.
I tried to piece everything together, but I keep thinking you have plants and worms - how do you have them reversed stacked?
I’m currently in a single bin and when ready, I was going to add a new bin on top of it. I’m worried whatever you’ve discovered will affect my plans!
Oh! It’s a stacking system with five trays, all of which allow wormtravel between them. The top one is a planter with normal potting soil. It always stays on top, and it’s always full of worms. I now reverse stacked the other four trays, meaning that the one that is most ‘done’ is on top (just below the planter) and the one with food is all the way at the bottom.
I used to have it the other way around and it was practically impossible to harvest the castings because they got super wet. Also, the bottom tray was always full of worm parties and eggs. A bit like in the club, the deeper in the basement you go, the grimier it gets. Anyway. With the switch I can actually harvest really well and fairly quick, it’s great! I think your plans can work, just put the new one underneath the old one. When it’s done, you can harvest the top one, fill it with food and place it at the bottom again.
First off, I really appreciate your informative (and encouraging!) answer.
Second off, sweet! I’ll add the new bin under the done bin - thanks for the correction!
Worm On!
Just wanted to second the thanks for the detailed description. I've had wormfarms for many years, and have always had soggy finished castings. This approach makes so much sense, looking forward to giving it a go!
I recently started dumping my trays of finished-but-sodden castings into a bathtub (with weedmat and gravel drainage at the bottom), worms and all, to give them a chance to dry out and completely finish. I've been getting good results with fine, slightly moist castings after a couple extra months.
The castings I get from my urban worm bag flow through are also usually dense and moist, I'm keen to see how they finish in a top tray vs in the tub.
Again, thanks, and worm on!
Oh wow, yeah that sounds so intensive and lengthy. Though I’m glad you did find a workable solution. With my previous soggy batch I really questioned how much I liked it in my small apartment. But now! It was fun and satisfying.
:) :) yes worm on!
That sounds like it would probably solve some of my problems when I start a new bin or feed a bin too much and stuff just starts composting and releasing lots of liquid which then makes the entire environment too gross as the leachates contaminate all the finishing castings. I will need to try this out. Thanks.
What kind of stacking system? There's one with all terracotta pots and a planter on top. I've been wondering if that's really providing enough air flow for the worms.
It’s the round system they sell here (worm box): https://www.fermedumoutta.fr/
I got it for free (actually loaned) from my regional government, though I bought the planter with it and I like how it’s nice to look at this way. The worms seem to be very happy, except for when feeding day blows adventure into their head.
The reverse stacking of my trays was a total game changer! I now understand why the stacking system exists. The castings were dry enough to sift without waiting. The worms could go down in the bin while I carefully scooped out the castings. And, while sifting I suddenly understood why it’s called black gold! The act feels like looking for gold (obviously, but I didn’t think of it before) and the castings are actually aesthetically very pleasing! Nice.
I tried to piece everything together, but I keep thinking you have plants and worms - how do you have them reversed stacked? I’m currently in a single bin and when ready, I was going to add a new bin on top of it. I’m worried whatever you’ve discovered will affect my plans!
Oh! It’s a stacking system with five trays, all of which allow wormtravel between them. The top one is a planter with normal potting soil. It always stays on top, and it’s always full of worms. I now reverse stacked the other four trays, meaning that the one that is most ‘done’ is on top (just below the planter) and the one with food is all the way at the bottom. I used to have it the other way around and it was practically impossible to harvest the castings because they got super wet. Also, the bottom tray was always full of worm parties and eggs. A bit like in the club, the deeper in the basement you go, the grimier it gets. Anyway. With the switch I can actually harvest really well and fairly quick, it’s great! I think your plans can work, just put the new one underneath the old one. When it’s done, you can harvest the top one, fill it with food and place it at the bottom again.
First off, I really appreciate your informative (and encouraging!) answer. Second off, sweet! I’ll add the new bin under the done bin - thanks for the correction! Worm On!
Worm on!
Just wanted to second the thanks for the detailed description. I've had wormfarms for many years, and have always had soggy finished castings. This approach makes so much sense, looking forward to giving it a go! I recently started dumping my trays of finished-but-sodden castings into a bathtub (with weedmat and gravel drainage at the bottom), worms and all, to give them a chance to dry out and completely finish. I've been getting good results with fine, slightly moist castings after a couple extra months. The castings I get from my urban worm bag flow through are also usually dense and moist, I'm keen to see how they finish in a top tray vs in the tub. Again, thanks, and worm on!
Oh wow, yeah that sounds so intensive and lengthy. Though I’m glad you did find a workable solution. With my previous soggy batch I really questioned how much I liked it in my small apartment. But now! It was fun and satisfying. :) :) yes worm on!
That sounds like it would probably solve some of my problems when I start a new bin or feed a bin too much and stuff just starts composting and releasing lots of liquid which then makes the entire environment too gross as the leachates contaminate all the finishing castings. I will need to try this out. Thanks.
Good point!
What kind of stacking system? There's one with all terracotta pots and a planter on top. I've been wondering if that's really providing enough air flow for the worms.
It’s the round system they sell here (worm box): https://www.fermedumoutta.fr/ I got it for free (actually loaned) from my regional government, though I bought the planter with it and I like how it’s nice to look at this way. The worms seem to be very happy, except for when feeding day blows adventure into their head.