Start up... worms vs. eggs

16 years ago

I'm getting ready to start my first bin & was shopping online for redworms (can't find a supply here). Was looking at 1 lb through acmefarms or 1,000 eggs through ebay. Price is about the same. I was wondering which you all thought would be the better start. They both claim to be E.F.

I want to be sure I get what I'm paying for as I'd like to be able to sell a few in the future if all goes well.

Thought it might be fun to watch all the eggs hatch & be able to say I raised them all from babies, but anxious to get things wiggling!!

Any input appreciated :)

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Comments (21)

nitasher
16 years ago
My 2 cents...

I'd get the worms. There will be eggs in the mix and I like instant gratification! Plus the worms will be busy making eggs. Your population will increase faster if you get the worms.

(Also, there is something real thrilling to get worms in the mail. I like to think about all the squimish people who unknowingly came into such close contact with WORMS! Whaaha ha ha!)

Happy worming,
Anita
billc-2007
16 years ago
I would recomend the worms too. If you started a new bin with eggs it could be hard to figure out just how much to feed the eggs. Some won't hatch for a few months. I had flooded one bin by rain water and the eggs are just now hatching three months later. The cold weather may have delayed that also?
Good luck Bill C
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suziqzer
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks so much for your input so far. Hoping to order tomorrow if I feel confident enough about the sellers that I'm looking at. Can't wait to get it all started!

I've been reading here all week & can't get enough & I don't even know how long or how much my DH will tolerate it. :) He did help me make the bin & is saving food scraps so I think he'll grow to enjoy it. My excuse right now is that I tell him I think it will be fun for our toddler. While this is true, I think it will be fun for me too!
suziqzer
Original Author
16 years ago
Anita... I forgot to mention... Thanks for the visual of people handling worms in the mail system without knowing it.
Makes it even more fun :)
just1morehosta
16 years ago
lol,when i received my first shipment of worms in the mail, my mail lady brought them down to the house and said,"Just why am i delivering WORMS?lol
After we talked a few min,she said she was going to look into starting her a bin.

Soooooo, ya never know what peoplr will do.

Carol
doc_dot
16 years ago
Folks, before you go out and buy worms, look in other areas in GW for freebies.

I live in FL. and would gladly send some to a GOOD home. Home visitation not required!
nitasher
16 years ago
doc dot - What I wonderful idea! That is exactly what I am planning. Get my bin going well and start giving worms away to people who want them but don't want/can't afford the price. Around here they are $45/pound! Crazy!!

Anita
Jasdip
16 years ago
Hi Anita!
Isn't it crazy how much people charge for Canadian worms?
They start at $45 and I've seen some for $60 here in Ont.
I'd love to get some in the mail, just to see the look on the mailperson's face, when the box is labeled Live worms, or whatever! LOL

Sherry
old_compost
16 years ago
That's what GW is about.

You ALL are great.

Thank you for keeping the spirit of gardening alive and fun.
suziqzer
Original Author
16 years ago
You are all so much fun! I love you already! I ordered my worms over the weekend, 2lbs. of E.F. Paid $49 which included shipping. After reading the last several posts I realize I didn't do too bad.

I went with someone who had a website up and running that looked very professional. They were also good about answering my questions so I felt more comfortable with them. I had considered ebay but want to be able to know for sure the species since I'm not familiar with them myself yet.

I'm considering starting a bin with E.Nightcrawelers (EH?) also if the first worms do well.

I haven't even got them yet & I'm hooked :)
nitasher
16 years ago
jasdip - There is only one place locally, that I can find, that even has them and they are over an hour away! Ahgg! It is frustrating! So I am happy to have wonderful friend who's only payment was that I sit and visit over a cup of coffee! It was lovely!

suziqzer - They are so much fun! Loved getting them in the mail! I think I might even pay $25 for a pound! My friend, who I received mine from, grew her bin from TWO worms about 6 months ago. Her bin is full of worms and castings! Got to love that!

Got to go and do something other than worming (or reading about worming!)

Anita
hamiltongardener
16 years ago
Jasdip,

Where are you in Ontario?

I'm in Hamilton and they cost $15 at the ecohouse here.
Jasdip
16 years ago
Hamilton, are you talking $15 for a pound?? Wow!
I live in Kitchener, so not far at all. What is the ecohouse?

Sherry
nitasher
16 years ago
$15 per pound?? I am soooo gealous! I'd buy 4 pounds at that price and not have to wait but I like instant gratification! (I think I mentioned that!) Alas, at $45 a pound I must delay my gratification, simply wait, and try to not kill my worms with love.

Anita
Jasdip
16 years ago
I agree Anita. I have a pound now, but I can feed them more than they consume. I've got 4 litre ice cream containers in my freezer, and a friends!! I would love more worms now instead of waiting for them to populate.

My quandrary is what to do with all the castings? (I'm in an apartment with a lot of houseplants but still.....)
onafixedincome
16 years ago
Start packing the castings in ziplock baggies; prick lots of tiny holes in the bags and start giving them away for gifts or even selling the stuff at the local farmers market. You can usually talk to local nurseries (the ones that actually grow plants) and they'll jump at them.
suziqzer
Original Author
16 years ago
nitasher- Wow... your friend started her bin from two worms! I don't think I have the patience :)

I found a few in the leaves my husband put on the garden last fall & put them in an ice cream container just to see what they'd do, but I have more than 2.
hamiltongardener
16 years ago
Jasdip,

The link is below.

You might have one in your area? If not, you are just a skip down the highway.

Here is a link that might be useful: ecohouse
Jasdip
16 years ago
Thanks Hamilton.
I found their site after "speaking" with you the other day and emailed them. They responded that it's $20 for about 1/2 pound.

I ordered more worms from the fellow in the states who I've been in constant contact with. (sorry for the number of emails and questions Jerry!) :)

The cost per lb even with shipping makes this very viable to order via US.

Sherry
khakitag
16 years ago
Hi guys,
I'm new to this forum, I frequent the butterfly forum, but I've just started worm composting, and I wanted to share with you where I got worms cheap. The company is called rockinjawrabbits.com. They are in Tx, but their prices beat anything else I found on the web. $22/lb with shipping I believe. They are bedrun which I think means eggs and young included, so you could be getting a lot more... Anyway I just wanted to pass this along. Hope it helps.
jerry_g
16 years ago
Hi Guys,

GotWorms@Comcast.Net

5 pounds for $75 including shipping in the continental USA.

Start up... worms vs. eggs

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