I myself bought fishing worms to start up my bin. It was from a local outdoor supply store, and the bag said they were red wrigglers. I'd looked at lot on the internet to help me identify them, and were pretty sure that is what they were. I paid $5 for a bag of 20 (19 alive, 1 not). The supplier's address indicated they were 2 hours from me, but since I was starting small, I didn't mind beginning with so few. After a few weeks I went back to the supply outfit and forked over another $5 for another bag of 20. I fed them hardly 2 tablespoons of (hand) minced scraps that I'd frozen first-then thawed, twice per month. Then noticed that when the good food was run out, I'd have white springtails all over the ceiling of my rubbermaid, but if there was stuff for them to work on, nothing on the lid or sides (maybe a few drops of moisture). So that is how I've been able to guage when the bin needs more food. Hope I'm right. This was 18 months ago, now I need to feed weekly, about 1/2 cup chopped and frozen scrap, and just judging by how many worms I see when I do poke around, I'm guessing I could be up to 150 - 200? I need to start up another bin soon (when I can claim the time), and plan on making it bigger, then I will do a count, and hopefully remember to report back to this forum, should anyone be interested. I've enjoyed nuturing them along. It's been fun. I'm also thinking of purchasing another bag of 20 this summer, just to freshen the genetics of the herd I've already got, does this make sense?

Again, I thank you two for your input. I have begun to do some research based on the things you guys had to say here and I am becomming very excited about the possibilities and potentials I have in my present situation! I also followed that link you gave me, tclynx, and found the most remarkable articles down at the bottom of the page called THE BURROW. It has the story of a guy's experiments with his worms and his findings, which already gives me some understanding of why I may have all these worms after all. I am also getting a feel that it isn't brain surgury and that I can actually improve my overall soil condition while getting rid of my little bit of food scraps. This is exciting! I also located pictures of what other people are doing to make their worm beds, plus, I lurked through all the things I could find in the forum and I have a much better idea of what a bed of worms consists of. It seems that any bed I can build for plants is potential as a worm bed as well. Also, plank pathways with leaf debris or shredded paper as a base will also encourage the worms as that is what they were doing when I found them, laying under stuff. I think I am going to purchase one of the containers / or perhaps make my own container and do some real experimenting. But, now I know that I can keep them outside...and if they don't have enough food with shredded paper and leaf fall and downed rotting trees...then they never will have enough food. I will keep that bag of leaves and test for worms in the spring. I think that the worms may have crawled in there by themselves already and I will report what I find. I also wondered if I could put bedding in a gallon plastic milk carton, punch holes in it all over, keep it damp and throw in 3 pairs of worms to see if I can get a carton of soil and a bunch of worms. I actually fixed up that experiment about a week before joining the forum and I dated the milk carton. I just had to know what is possible as my main interest started out being plants. Again, it is appreciated greatly that you both have responded. I can't tell the difference between species or breeds of worms and may never be able to, but as long as they eat until my soil is beautiful, that is enough for me, at this point. Thanks a bunch of worms! =o)

You'll see all kinds of lists of dos and don'ts for feeding. I think it's better to think of some foods as "easy" to feed (those on most "do" lists) and some as "hard" to feed (those on most "don't" lists). Anything that was born or grown can be composted. The issue is whether the humans who have to live with the composting process want to deal with the side effects (usually smell) or want to go to the effort to mitigate those side effects (processing differently or burying or having an outside bin, etc.). The stuff that is hard to feed usually requires some mitigation efforts. What matters is what works in YOUR bin. Everyone's bin is different. That's why you see conflicting accounts in the forum. Sbryce's and Stevesd's advice about testing with small amounts and working in moderation are good, and will help you learn what your bin needs to thrive.

After a long day on my feet, I sit down to the computer to see what's up, and what a delight to view these photos you've taken the time to share. Thanks Rosemary! We've just finished some freezy coldy weather, so it's nice to see places where you don't have to be bundled up.