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Post by Spruance on Dec 1, 2006 13:18:58 GMT
I think that I may have mentioned previously that I always transfer any earthworms I happen to dig up into my compost heap.
However, I have noticed that others have mentioned that brandling worms help to create very good compost. I don't have a wormery and having had experience of one a few years ago, I don't think it is something I can be bothered with. So would brandling worms be equally as effective in a traditional wooden box style compost bin?
Also, are they generally available and from where?
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Post by sweetleaf on Dec 1, 2006 13:23:05 GMT
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Post by mickthecactus on Dec 1, 2006 13:24:03 GMT
Spruance, I don't add any worms to mine - the brandlings arrive completely unasked.
My compost is done either in a proper composter or plastic bins with a hole cut out of the base and placed directly on the earth.
And a very fine job they do too.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2006 13:57:09 GMT
My grandfather used to always use brandling worms for fishing.
He (and I) used to find them easily in a big heap of horse manure kept at the allotment to rot down for compost.
Probably cheaper than mail order, though not so easy unless you know a handy heap of s***!
DD.
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Post by sweetleaf on Dec 1, 2006 14:21:49 GMT
Why didnt I think of that?  Good thinking DD! |
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Post by Spruance on Dec 1, 2006 16:40:48 GMT
Thanks for the link sweetleaf but having seen Wiggly Wigglers prices - £12.50 for 250 grammes of worms, I think I will have to ask the Worm Fairy to help out!
I may even have some brandling worms in the compost heap for all I know, it is open at the bottom after all.
To be honest I have rather a glut of compost - in various stages of decomposition - at the moment. I have a Geoff Hamilton designed double wooden bin with each side holding approx one cubic yard. Both sides are full, one with new waste the other with semi-rotted waste. Apart from that I have the contents of the last fully rotted bin stacked in old compost bags behind the garden shed. Perhaps another compost bin might be a good investment.
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Post by andy on Dec 1, 2006 17:16:59 GMT
Yep...DD is right. Brandlings are usually found in manure and are generally smaller and pinker with bands on the body compared with earth or lob worms.
I would imagine that it's perfect weather for digging up worms at the moment. I keep finding juicy lob worms under piles of leaves that i remove from the paths !!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2006 20:02:56 GMT
I have read that laying some cardboard (the glued sort as it contains nitrogen) on a lawn attracts brandlings - if you've got them that is. I have load in my garden bin but I live in a valley bottom but haven't got them (except transplanted ones) in my lotty bins which is on top of the heath.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2006 14:26:41 GMT
Leave an old black plastic sack on the ground for a few days - you will find that the compost worms will quickly settle under it and you can pick them up and put them into the compost bin where they will multiply like mad at the right time of year. There is absolutely no need to buy brandling worms, especially at the prices wiggly Wigglers ask.
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