I have 4 pots with 70% coco, 30% perlite, and the roots from males that were cut. Can I use this in my worm bin?
Yes!! Do it!
I need to make winter living arrangements for my worms…
Consider flushing/leaching the media first but they’ll dig everything except the perlite. (They just ignore it).
The perlite is what I was worried about.
I’d think that they would even utilize it when it breaks down for potential grit like material… it’s just a preheated rock right?
it’s super heated silica; vermiculite is mica; & corn is 
I use perlite in all my bins. Perlite and Pine Bark Fines are what I use for aeration.
Okay, I am going to get my worms on Thursday. I am going to mix some used coco, with perlite, and shredded cardboard and newspaper for bedding. Here’s the question, I have some stored up coffee grounds, should I mix it in with the other stuff, or the scraps I am collecting now?
One other question, should I feed as I accumulate (a bit here and a bit there) or should I make sure they have eaten what I have already given and wait until they do?
Edit: Should I flush the coco to make sure any nutrients from growing are gone (used Flora Series(?
Yes flush the shit out of the base material I’m not family enough with those nutes but can’t imagine it would make the worms happy … it’s better to underfed as opposed to over feeding
You can always add a little gypsum. It is used in agriculture to remove excesses in soil. Helps leach.
Sounds great Iv been know to fortify my bedding material with dry nutes from time to time , if ya have them make some super duper worm poo!
I was going to use coco with perlite for my bin, but would garden soil with steer manure be better to mix with cardboard and newspaper?
I’d just make sure the manure is aged ,if ya have a source of fall leaves that would be good also .
Yeah, it’s bagged composted manure. Was reading that it was good as well. Unfortunately we don’t have a fall, per se. But, sometimes, leaves fall of the orange tree, when I’m picking them, in February. I guess there are trade offs… 
Great thread, thought i’d pop in.
End of year wormtown party. harvesting, sorting, and intitiating the winter bins. lots of finished product this year. plus, 4 big active bins, and a live bin with lettuce in it. a few smaller bucket systems just to keep things interesting.
bins are fed pot leaves mostly, with the occasional coffee grind/veggie block from the freezer every now and again.
Live worm bin
finished product
PA290379|690x460 !
working bins
PA290381|333x500
rootball being invaded by a dozen worms. this will be finished castings in short order.
happy worming everyone.
Looks good to me!! @Tinytuttle is the expert though!!
Yeah, I know, but I ddin’t want to make everyone else feel bad by saying, “Hey @Tinytuttle is this right?”