Comments on: Winterizing Your Compost Pile http://earth911.com/blog/2008/11/10/winterizing-your-compost-pile/ Make Everyday Earth Day Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:02:55 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: richard hyde http://earth911.com/blog/2008/11/10/winterizing-your-compost-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-21636 richard hyde Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:25:25 +0000 http://earth911.com/?p=8311#comment-21636 good selection. good selection.

]]> By: Sally http://earth911.com/blog/2008/11/10/winterizing-your-compost-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-21503 Sally Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:34:18 +0000 http://earth911.com/?p=8311#comment-21503 Can anyone answer my questions? I thought I was composting in my 4' x 4' composting bin next to the house resting on clay ground at a slight slant that drains the sprinkler or rain water well. However, I did not have enough to feed it to make it hot. I have been feeding the pile garbage for 5 years and am getting compost. I had observed the worms when turning the compost, and knew they were eating some of the garbage. But it finally dawned on me this week that I actually have a vermicompost pile with them finishing the garbage completely within a couple of weeks. I live in Dallas Texas where the winter is mild except for a few freezes, seldom under 10 f. The summer can go over 100 f. for as much as a month. Should I just keep doing as I have done or try to make the worms happier? My worms are red and 4 to 6 inches long. Should I add more of a different kind? I cover the top with several inches of leaves and some shredded paper. Is that enough food and insulation from the weather? Would it be better if I did not disturb the worms by turning the compost and moving it from on half of my 4' x 4' square fenced bin every time I put in another bucket of garbage? When one side is empty of worms and garbage, I dig up the composted dirt at the bottom and start filling up that side until the other is finished.. Would it disturb the worms less to put the bin on a galvanized wire platform. The worm compost would fall through the wire and I could scoop it out. Would that allow it to freeze or get too hot in summer? My husband it not ready to let the worms in the house. Are ashes from the fireplace ok every week or so in the winter? Thank you for helping me keep my worms happy in their production of vermicompost! Can anyone answer my questions? I thought I was composting in my 4′ x 4′ composting bin next to the house resting on clay ground at a slight slant that drains the sprinkler or rain water well. However, I did not have enough to feed it to make it hot. I have been feeding the pile garbage for 5 years and am getting compost. I had observed the worms when turning the compost, and knew they were eating some of the garbage.

But it finally dawned on me this week that I actually have a vermicompost pile with them finishing the garbage completely within a couple of weeks. I live in Dallas Texas where the winter is mild except for a few freezes, seldom under 10 f. The summer can go over 100 f. for as much as a month.

Should I just keep doing as I have done or try to make the worms happier?

My worms are red and 4 to 6 inches long. Should I add more of a different kind?

I cover the top with several inches of leaves and some shredded paper. Is that enough food and insulation from the weather?

Would it be better if I did not disturb the worms by turning the compost and moving it from on half of my 4′ x 4′ square fenced bin every time I put in another bucket of garbage? When one side is empty of worms and garbage, I dig up the composted dirt at the bottom and start filling up that side until the other is finished..

Would it disturb the worms less to put the bin on a galvanized wire platform. The worm compost would fall through the wire and I could scoop it out. Would that allow it to freeze or get too hot in summer? My husband it not ready to let the worms in the house.

Are ashes from the fireplace ok every week or so in the winter?

Thank you for helping me keep my worms happy in their production of vermicompost!

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