Compost Made Easy

(Page 7 of 7)

October/November 2006, Issue #218
By Barbara Pleasant 
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Vermicompost Troubleshooting

RELATED CONTENT

  • Cover new materials to prevent fungus gnats and fruit flies from feeding on rotting vegetation. If gnats are present when you open the lid, collect them with a vacuum cleaner. Larvae can be collected from cubes of raw potato placed near the surface for 48 hours (throw the used potato baits into your outdoor heap).
  • Potworms are tiny white worms that sometimes appear in large numbers after new bedding is added. They will not hurt your vermicompost.
  • Runaway worms attempting to leave the bin are a sign of overpopulation or overly wet conditions. Add more dry bedding, or release some worms into your garden.

To Learn More

Worms Eat My Garbage
by Mary Appelhof

Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator: Edible Essays on City Farming
by Spring Gillard

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Comments

  • Heidi Hunt 12/13/2007 11:52:24 AM

    Phil, crushed egg shells are good for your compost pile. Animal
    feces is not recommended for a compost pile that will eventually be
    used on food crops.

  • prodman 12/13/2007 11:31:29 AM

    So I've read a bit on composting and have heard that egg shells are
    good to add. Is this correct? Also i read that you shouldnt put dog
    terds in. WHy not. I read that you should add dirt to compost to
    add microbes and one person told me that you can use dog terds in
    place of soil. So i'm not sure what is right. Thanks

  • nailbender1977 8/31/2007 3:33:12 PM

    I have started a compost pile of grass clippings and A little hores
    manore. My pile is about six to ten inches and covers an area of
    sixty by thirth feet. I thought if if was thinner it may comport
    quicker, is this correct? If not what to do? I'm on flat ground and
    I will grass this area in a couple of years.

  • Niki 5/9/2007 12:04:21 PM

    For an ultra-easy compost, can I make an open bin right on top of
    grass/weeds in my backyard or should I clear those away? Also, my
    compost will most likely be in the sun for most of the day with
    temps in the 80s, 90s and 100s this summer - should I cover the top
    to keep it from drying out or heating up too much? Thanks!

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