What are the advantages/disadvantages btwn the colors: black vs terra cotta vs green? Can earth worms from the garden be used w/ this composter?
371109
The color of the bin is a general matter of preference of color. We went with terra cotta. I don't believe earth worms would work well. Red wigglers are able to live in a large compact colony and eat through composted material very quickly. Hope this helps:)
371110
the colors are simply a matter of preference. Figure out where you want it to be when you get it, and pick the color you prefer there. You can use worms from the garden- but it's not recommended- because you don't know what kind of worm they are (unless you're a worm expert. The average person can't identify the different species.) I highly recommend a good worm book before you start. They're easy to keep when you know the basics- the books are easy reads, and get you going without hiccups. I picked the Worm Book, but Worms Eat My Garbage is another good book. Neither is heavy reads- just good grab and go info.
371111
Sorry I won't be of much help but I don't know if there are advantages/disadvantages with the colors. I also don't know about earthworms. I worms we have are the red wrigglers used for composting.
371112
the colors are simply a matter of preference. Figure out where you want it to be when you get it, and pick the color you prefer there. You can use worms from the garden- but it's not recommended- because you don't know what kind of worm they are (unless you're a worm expert. The average person can't identify the different species.) I highly recommend a good worm book before you start. They're easy to keep when you know the basics- the books are easy reads, and get you going without hiccups. I picked the Worm Book, but Worms Eat My Garbage is another good book. Neither is heavy reads- just good grab and go info. the colors are simply a matter of preference. Figure out where you want it to be when you get it, and pick the color you prefer there. You can use worms from the garden- but it's not recommended- because you don't know what kind of worm they are (unless you're a worm expert. The average person can't identify the different species.) I highly recommend a good worm book before you start. They're easy to keep when you know the basics- the books are easy reads, and get you going without hiccups. I picked the Worm Book, but Worms Eat My Garbage is another good book. Neither is heavy reads- just... » Read More the colors are simply a matter of preference. Figure out where you want it to be when you get it, and pick the color you prefer there. You can use worms from the garden- but it's not recommended- because you don't know what kind of worm they are (unless you're a worm expert. The average person can't identify the different species.) I highly recommend a good worm book before you start. They're easy to keep when you know the basics- the books are easy reads, and get you going without hiccups. I picked the Worm Book, but Worms Eat My Garbage is another good book. Neither is heavy reads- just good grab and go info. « Show Less
125110
The lowest it gets at my house is about 30 degrees at night. Havent lost any worms in 2 years. I do add more paper in the winter though so maybe that helps. I can only assume the added paper gives them more to eat and stay warm. I also dont remove the compost until spring.
14477
To my original batch of compostable materials I added some local worms as well as some red worms I purchased online. They seem to be doing just fine with a once a week tumble so I encourage the addition of some worms to your tumbler to speed and enhance the composting process. If my worms prove too frail to survive the tumbling, they don't deserve to be called real worms and they'll just become part of the compost!
355466
I have worms in my compost barrel but I never put worms in my K100 bucket since the food only stays in there 30 days then I transfer to my compost barrel and it really gets hot in there and worms do not like it too hot- will kill them but hey, I never tried it.
1843641
I have a Garden Gourmet compost which looks exactly like this one. I don't if Garden Gourmet still exists but I've had it for 20 yrs (I have two). I live is southern Calif. Our city wanted people to compost so they had a special from a local nursery and I got two. Time has finally taken a toll on one of them so I am looking to replace it with this model. This past summer, a portion of the lower wall cracked so the door doesn't stay closed. The other compost has had no issues up this point, even after 20 yrs. There hasn't been any UV issues.
2202785
Pretty quick....we live in Chicago so we don't have a full year of composting. But the materials we throw in break down fast. We keep in a spot that gets full sun so it soaks up the heat. I usually give it a good mix when I add some new material. Last fall I stuffed it full with the last grass clippings/leaves/plants. This spring when I opened it up the material was below the half way point. The composter itself is very nice looking in the yard......not ugly at all. Very sturdy...should hold up for years.
629269
You may want to consider a different style of composting toilet. For me, a small woman your age, the Nature's Head is ideal--but it does take some hefting to empty. I also have mine set up in a small shed that I built specifically for it, didn't make the venting connections, and simply brush off the ants it attracts.
2005052
It's a great little composting bin for the first time composter. It can take a while depending on how you care for it. It definitely allows for breakdown if you turn it regularly and water it regularly. I put every stray worm I can find in there too to help out the process. I didn't have compost material after using it for 4 months but have had this for about a year now and have compost material for our garden this Spring.
1565147
I purchased my roaches from Red Earth Worms.( 100 Mixed Size Dubia Roaches ) In my opinion, ANY roach would feel special the way this firm ships them. Mine were in a special box, inside styrafoam packing, with screened ventilation holes and arrived in excellent shape. I live in southern oklahoma and the temperature here is hot as hell, and these bugs arrived very healthy and full of pep. I would say they would have lasted for at least 1 week in the container, but they ship 2 to 3 day so time is not an issue. Go ahead, buy them, you will not regret it. I am raising mine and feeding my lizards mainly superworms until I develop a nice size colony and they are just doing gr8! I purchased my roaches from Red Earth Worms.( 100 Mixed Size Dubia Roaches ) In my opinion, ANY roach would feel special the way this firm ships them. Mine were in a special box, inside styrafoam packing, with screened ventilation holes and arrived in excellent shape. I live in southern oklahoma and the temperature here is hot as hell, and these bugs arrived very healthy and full of pep. I would say they would have lasted for at least 1 week in the container, but they ship 2 to 3 day so time is not an issue. Go ahead, buy them, you... » Read More I purchased my roaches from Red Earth Worms.( 100 Mixed Size Dubia Roaches ) In my opinion, ANY roach would feel special the way this firm ships them. Mine were in a special box, inside styrafoam packing, with screened ventilation holes and arrived in excellent shape. I live in southern oklahoma and the temperature here is hot as hell, and these bugs arrived very healthy and full of pep. I would say they would have lasted for at least 1 week in the container, but they ship 2 to 3 day so time is not an issue. Go ahead, buy them, you will not regret it. I am raising mine and feeding my lizards mainly superworms until I develop a nice size colony and they are just doing gr8! « Show Less
1726148
I bought 2 of these 4 months ago, I bought 1000 starter red worms and now have enough to start the second farm. I also have chickens and some day when I have extra worms, they may get a snack. I bought the 2 farms for the castings and the worm tea for my vegetables. Last summer a friend gave me some tea when my veggies weren't doing well. My garden thrived on the tea and chickens got fresh veggies. Jr at gameing_nm@yahoo.com
1676511
Mine was green. Check the terra nova site and see if it's even offered in black. They could have changed it since I bought mine
531059
I have no idea. sorry. As I understand the maggot will break down whatever material is in there. the composter just speeds rot of whatever is in it. the ultimate goal is to speed up rot. the result is supposed to be rich material to put into the garden.
1888324
That's a tough one. Mine is set on dirt, but I don't think it needs to be to function properly. I do like mine. It was easy to put together and has produced some nice compost for my garden. Good luck.
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.
1407925
Just turn the compost every few weeks. Shouldn't be a problem. Check your ratio of brown material to green.
1762006
I goggled it and here's what came up: http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/fungus-gnats-in-worm-compost-bins/ and http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/fungus-gnats-in-worm-compost-bins/
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.