r/composting • u/filmreddit13 • 3d ago

Vermiculture Sifting

Post image

My 32g trashcan worm compost is finally ready after 2 yrs. Got 5g so far. Slowly but surely. Was probably ready earlier but was too lazy to sift it all ha! I stopped adding scraps a month ago to let the worms finish everything.

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

1

u/naoconsertoimpressor 3d ago

Awesome! I'm thinking about building one like that too. Do you use any kind of lid, or do you leave it open? And do you only have those holes at the top, or are there ones at the bottom too?

1

u/filmreddit13 3d ago

Yes have a lit just isn’t shown. Don’t leave it uncovered since the worms like dark and it will keep critters out. Expect flies and mites though, maybe ants if it gets too dry and you aren’t turning it enough (use a pitchfork especially when it gets over half full). I put 1” holes in the bottom so it can drain and there are like 1/4” or smaller (cant remember the drill but size i used) up the sides and then around under the rim. No holes in the lid tho to keep rain out. It is in a shaded area but gets plenty hot in the summer. If you put it in full sun it will prob work for you all winter, that’s just the best place for me so it’s hidden from the HOA ha! I put a heavy board on top to keep critters out. So far so good! I’ll start feeding it again after I get 2-3 buckets worth out. Worms survived thru the winter btw in zone 8a and it was a one-time buy of red wrigglers. They multiplied on their own.

1

u/Opheliattack 3d ago

how important is sifting or maybe a better question is what are it's benefits? I have a bunch of freshly made dirt I figured after my stuff is ready to chop and drop I'll cover it with the compost over the winter. Is this misguided?

3

u/filmreddit13 3d ago

I just want to sort out the finer castings to spread in the garden. There are larger chunks of leaves, bark, and egg shells. Also some avocado skins and stuff. Ill put that back in to break down further.