A general composting question, please. Is it OK to add earthworms to this tumbler-type composter?
1584288
the compost is not at all aerated enough to be healthy for earthworms. I doubt, that anyone ever got real humus out of this tumbler, I did not in several tries.
1584289
I'm not sure. They may get sick and toss their cookies each time you tumble the composter. The instruction/directions don't mention worms, so I would keep the worms in the garden soil.
1584290
Yes, it would not hurt the composter. Although you would want to turn it gently so as not to hurt the worms.
355468
No -- it is really meant to ferment kitchen scraps and should be kept relatively airtight while it is "cooking." I am pretty sure worms would die in there.
1997865
No -- the stuff you put in needs water and air (and "green" stuff) to turn into compost, so rainwater is a welcome addition.
568330
I haven't used this composter but had 4 of the lifetime tumblers before. So my answer is about generic timing and not this specific tumbler. We lived in the South-East then and in summer could turn waste into dirt in 4-6 weeks. In winter it doesn't stay hot enough to compost in these systems. If you are disciplined enough to remove plastic (stickers on your produce or plastic bags) and not put sticks from yard waste then the result is ready to go when it looks like dirt. Gardeners and farmers call compost black gold for a reason...good stuff.
1999816
great for tea. I'd throw in some worm castings or compost as well at least. I sometimes make teas with a long list of ingredients, depending on what I'm using it for.
617919
I have red worms growing in mine without any issues, but I'm not sure. Might be worth asking the manufacturer? Walmart sells it too but I never found any locally which is why I ordered it from Amazon.
1752477
The answer about using an inch of shreded paper sounds good. Fly problems can start easily if the veg/fruit waste is exposed. Most people don't use enough bedding. I have found that covering everything with a layer of compost works great and could have some food value for the worms. I have a longer review dated 1/1/2013 that has some more info.
1338757
Mine arrived a few days ahead of my farm as well. Just put the worms in a bucket with some damp coir at the bottom and shredded newspaper on top. Not sure about the peat moss and it's acidity. You can throw salad and fruit scraps just under the paper to give some extra nutrients. Put a board or something on it as a lid. To contain the worm shine a light on the top of the lid and they won't escape.
796073
I haven't had any problems with any kind of animals or rodents in my 2 bins and I don't do anything extra to reinforce them. When I mix mine up, I use the special mixer you can get to stir you bin...works fine! Composting made easy :)
1909649
You might need to add more water if it seems dry. It might take a while to get compost if you don't have a lot of worms.
905125
being that it is organic and uses organic microbes, they should not kill the earthworms or red worms in your compost since they create similar microbes and live in the same dirt. I would test it out with only a small bit if you are concerned and see if they are still living after a week of using it. i usu it for only starting a fresh batch without microbes or worms.
523608
I personally use castings mixed with azomite as well as compost. Check out this website: http://www.tastefulgarden.com/store/pc/Worm-Castings-d114.htm
2005923
It depends on the material used, how large the pieces are, and so forth. I can get compost out of my Lifetime tumbler in about three to four weeks, but I use a shredder and I prop the lid up a few inches with sticks to improve aeration. Fourteen to twenty-one days could be possible with the right material and ideal moisture condtions. I usually cycle my batches every five or six weeks when I'm keeping up with it.
1196329
Grass clippings I would say no. The clippings would heat up the compost too much for the worms. Leaves on the other hand I have added with no problems, they are a nice brown to add to the worm factory and the worms seem to really like them.
1042373
WISH I COULD HELP BUT I LIVE IN A VERY TEMPERATE CLIMATE. I think turning the tumbler will help a bit. And perhaps adding a compost booster to speed the process. Good luck.
1503755
My guess is other grubs like locust and such. It may affect earthworms and other larva in the soil.
1562646
It would probably work fine. As the other responders suggested, you could lay down something on the bottom to protect your patio. The one disadvantage of not placing it on soil is that the worms won't be able to get in to help the composting.