From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Manchester,N.H.

Are Red Worms just good for the compost pile or can they be added directly to the soil.Which is better?

11/14/2004 12:05:12 AM

Puyallup, WA

Think about which will soil be warmer during the winter.

11/14/2004 1:53:11 AM

Follansbee, Wv

Unlike earthworms, redworms are poor tunnelers. They prefer to live in their food supply which is generally decomposing material. Unless you have unusually high OM content which extends well below the frost line, redworms will most likely not survive the winter if turned loose in the garden soil. It is possible to overwinter redworms in the house with a small bin under the kitchen sink or other convenient place. You can sift some of your compost to use as bedding/food. If you sort through your compost, you can pick out several cocoons, which will hatch within about a week. By spring, you should have a thriving population ready to go back into the compost pile. The cocoons are small and lemon shaped. They look kind of like a piece of bird seed. Each cocoon will hatch between 8-20 babies. There are about 800-1000 worms per pound, and one pound of worms needs about one square foot of bedding space. In a friendly environment, the worm population will double about every 90 days. I know this is more than you asked for, but I just thought I'd share :)

11/14/2004 8:00:32 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Agree. Night Crawlers in the soil. Red Worms in the compost.

11/14/2004 8:06:44 AM

Ontario, Canada.

A site about worms I use sometimes.

http://www.cathyscomposters.com/

11/14/2004 8:40:47 AM

San Diego, Ca.

Here's another site about worms that is loaded with tips on worms.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/publications/worm/worm.html

11/15/2004 2:28:01 PM

Montoursville, PA

Thank you Monty J.

Nice well documented or proven thread. One year ago this board jumpped all over me for reporting the same exact facts. I guess that is growth.

Seems the jumppers needed a little education. You have put this subject together very nicely.

11/25/2004 11:04:44 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I'd like to hear more from you Dwaine. I always find your topics to be well thought out and a good read. And yes, thanks Monty!

Glenn

11/25/2004 6:38:47 PM

Follansbee, Wv

I have to do some work in my vermi bin today. I'll take some pictures and post them in my diary. I should have some cocoons, and babies in there. Maybe it will be of interest to someone.

11/26/2004 11:20:00 AM