If you’re regularly adding powdered/crushed egg shells is that sufficient to buffer the pH? I’ve measured the pH of my bedding several times and it’s always been OK but have never added lime or dolomite. I’m assuming the egg shells are doing the job
Hi Brian, great videos. I have always been a bit afraid of dolomite and lime because I garden on alkaline South Aussie soil. I do run my worm farms pretty heavy on the carbon, which might be why I have been getting away with it. Are there any signs that I should look out for to indicate that the farms are running too acidic? Do you have any experience with using biochar as an alkalising agent? Thanks, Megan
Hi Jo, lime wont make your soil alkaline as it stops dissolving at neutral ph. If the farms become too acidic you may get protein/ammonia poisoning in the worms. Look it up but be warned its not pretty. No i havent used biochar, sorry. Thanks for watching :)
Hi Jorge I used to use dolomite as that was what I could buy easily - now I use garden lime as I found a good cheap supply at a produce store . . . the other thing i use is ZEOLITE - it has a LOT of great properties, grit, buffer and minerals in the worms diet, but also a ton of great benefits to the garden youll use the VC on later on. BOTH lime/dolomite and rock dusts like zeolite (and azomite) provide grit. For more details on zeolite, see my website: thewormman.com.au/zeolite-info/
Hi Deanna, even though that is a popular myth, I find it incorrect. It certainly keeps bins from getting too acidic. Acidity is bad for worms for several reasons, and encourages mites and pot worms to prosper. Thanks for watching :)
The size is not really crucial - but its around 6 to 8 mm (1/4 inch) - i use a "stepped" drill bit nowadays, they cut plastic really nicely and dont leave a burred edge :)
It looks like you used a bunch of 1/8" holes on the one for water . . . Did you start using 50/50 of the Lime and Zeo in one shaker? . . . I didn't know those two both provided grit, I got some Agricultural lime (the bag also says "Dolamite Lime" on it) - and "play sand" (fine) for grit (another vid I saw, the guy said he uses volcanic sand, so "play" sand seemed like it would work) . . . What do you think if I did 50/50 of lime and sand . . . or should I do 100% lime, and then just throw in a handful of sand when I put in a new layer? Or just return the sand, and lime is all I need . . . I didn't see that they have zeolite or azomite here, I think I'd have to send away for it.
Hi Steven DE, while ok as a mineral supplement, has a small value as a buffer - but if applied dry, will kill beneficial insects in the worm bin. If using it, only use food grade, though :)
That really depends. Usually small plastic bins you dont hardly ever need to water, theres enough in the food waste. In CFTs, about once a week (as the massive surface area dries out). The wedge, about once a week. But it really depends on your climate, and what youre feeding etc. Thanks for watching :)
