RE: [compost_tea] Re: storing worm castings

From: Kelly Slocum <kelly_at_bonterra.net>
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 09:33:34 -0800

Hello All
 
I am new to this list, though I've been lurking for several days now,
and I wanted to introduce myself before diving in to posting. I am a
vermiculture specialist in WA state, the base from which I consult on
organic waste management projects primarily focused on vermicomposting.
I've been working with worms since 1986, professionally since 1992, and
began working with vermicompost teas in 1996. I've conducted tea field
trials on several varieties of apples, hops, wine grapes, and plums, and
on turf, roses and photinia, for control of a variety of fungal diseases
and overall plant improvement, and I've had some successes and some
failures. I am eager to hear about the experiences here!
 
Specific to Ted's question, worm castings require only to be kept damp,
dark and in a non-airtight container to maintain their "shelf life" for
a period of more than three years. That is to say, plant response to
the material is the same after three years when castings are stored with
these parameters in mind. Arguably the most common and efficient
storage method is to keep them in plastic storage totes with
non-airtight lids, or, if you have a relatively large quantity, in
plastic 32 gallon trash cans. If you have a massive quantity castings
can simply be piled, preferably in a barn or other protected building to
prevent weeds from being blown in and to aid in prevention of rapid
surface drying. They can be piled outdoors, but you will want to keep
the pile well and securely tarped.
 
I noticed a post suggesting the addition of oatmeal to "activate"
castings that have been stored for some time. I'm curious about this
recommendation. Good castings that were generated from a varied
feedstock are extremely biologically active and I am not familiar with
the need to "activate" them. Though castings tend to be heavily
bacterial we can often achieve excellent fungal biomass with careful
feedstock management and when they are removed from the bin and allowed
to sit for a few weeks before use. I've not noted a need for the
addition of new foods in order to re-activate them or to kick start
biological activity. I'd like to understand more about this
recommendation so I'm all ears/eyes!
 
Kelly
 
Kelly Slocum
Chief Science Officer, Vice President
Bon Terra, Inc.
phone 360.253.5465
fax 360.253.5466
email kelly_at_bonterra.net
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Ted Patterson [mailto:patters_at_erols.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 6:28 AM
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] Re: storing worm castings
 
At 3:56 AM -0500 12/30/03, soilfoodweb_at_aol.com wrote:
>Get the castings out of the plastic barrels. They need to breathe.

Recommended containers for storing worm castings or finished worm
compost?

Thanks. -Ted






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Received on Wed Dec 31 2003 - 13:21:36 EST

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