I started this bin over a year ago, didn't touch it until today.


The pyramid method of collecting it was too slooooow. So I used about 1/8th of it and used as regular watering and foliar spray.
How do you guys harvest them?

What I did was use cheese cloth in a bucket, and put castings in it, and used my water can to drain the casting without the uneaten pieces.

Brenden - If you're asking about harvesting the castings, I used to sift out worms from the castings tray by tray (worm tower with 4 active trays) but that took forever and gave me a sore back. Here's what I do now. Spread a big plastic garbage bag on the garage floor. (I don't have to watch for rain or hot, sunny days.) Dump all 4 trays into a pyramid, just as you referenced. Have some light (real or artificial) shining on the pyramid. As the worms dive lower into the pile to escape the light, I pull off the top layer of compost and pick out any big undigested bits of food or newspaper (but not really necessary). Go do something else (usually in the garden) while the newly exposed worms move even lower into the pile. Repeat as needed. For me, it's a multi-tasking opportunity and not so boring and time-consuming.

Thank you for that shade, but the first thing I mentioned was how I did that, and how it took too long hahah

I have a big plastic tote I use for a warm bin and instead of swifting the worms out of the compost I just take out about two big handfuls of worms put them aside and use the compost with the worms in it. Once I have used the compost I'll put those two handfuls back in the bin and start all over by the time it is ready to empty again the bin is full of worms and compost.

Heath, great idea! I used to sit on the drive way trying to separate them out!

I use for a worm bin an 18 gallon Rubbermaid tote. When it gets close to harvest time I put all the food and bedding on one end of the bin. The worms eventually move to the food/bedding end of the bin. It takes about a month or so to get most of the worms to migrate. You won't get 100% migration but many will move by themselves.

Joseph, Great idea!

Have fun collecting all the black gold. I'm in the process of harvesting, too.

I use the poo in activated worm castings tea, and my morning glory garden has been the best since I started 12 years ago.

Never underestimate the power of the poo.

May I ask where you guys get your worms? I just purchased the 360 and will want to get started soon. I'll be looking for good, healthy red wrigglers.

It has been a couple of years since I bought any. I can't remember

The last ones I got out of the compost pile

I've used this site in the past. Lots of really healthy worms. I stocked my greenhouse beds with them a year ago, and they are still doing well.

https://unclejimswormfarm.com/...

plantmanager said:I've used this site in the past. Lots of really healthy worms. I stocked my greenhouse beds with them a year ago, and they are still doing well.

https://unclejimswormfarm.com/...

Very much!!!

plantmanager said:I've used this site in the past. Lots of really healthy worms. I stocked my greenhouse beds with them a year ago, and they are still doing well.

https://unclejimswormfarm.com/...

Just ordered. Thanks again for the recommendation!

@plantmanager

Just wanted to thank you again for the recommendation. The worms I got from Uncle Jim's are beautiful and seem to be thriving. They're now much larger and fatter than they originally were, and they're very active! They seem to eat a lot more now too, which is great.

Thanks again, and a great 2017 to you!

Joanna, great! I've had my worms for over a year now. I put them in my raised greenhouse beds. They are all fat and happy and somehow they've managed to escape the beds and get into all the separate potted plants too. I have no idea how they managed it, but I'm glad they're all working hard for me.

I'm sorry about not responding so long I forgot