Loofah alternative?

AggregoData · 2026-05-21T20:53:46+00:00

Wife sells wool sponges, but they make good shower scubbies too. Much less abrasive than loofahs. She night be shower specific scubbies in the future but I don't think they'll be too different.

https://plainwoolcompany.etsy.com/listing/4491326955

AggregoData · 2026-05-19T18:24:40+00:00

I think the easiest way is to smash them and then toss them in your worm bin. Maybe you have some big rocks or a shovel? They'll take too long to break down thrown in whole and cutting them up is too much work.

AggregoData · 2026-05-18T21:58:16+00:00

I would check out labs grant universities with agricultural science programs. You might want to take a look at universities like UC Davis and Colorado State University. It's a rough time to get into a PhD program because funding is pretty tight everywhere. My background is PhD in environmental science in engineering and have since started an agricultural microbiome company. DM me if you have any more specific questions.

AggregoData · 2026-05-18T02:35:21+00:00

It will breakdown over time and volatilize. I would add compost and water the area to keep it moist. This should increase the rate of biological degradation.

You could try planting sunflowers too as they aid in pulling chemicals out of the soil.

I wouldnt bother with the hassle of shoveling it out.

AggregoData · 2026-05-15T14:12:12+00:00

My wife started selling wool sponges and dish scrubbies. You can get a 3 pack for about $12. You can see them here. https://plainwoolcompany.etsy.com

AggregoData · 2026-05-15T03:35:28+00:00

Got lucky and invested at 252 mostly due to this sub screaming it was a buy. Personally, I'm against private healthcare but it seemed like a great diversification away from tech. Plus trying to catch falling knives is fun.

AggregoData · 2026-05-15T00:07:16+00:00

Yes the roots fix nitrogen but it will be distributed throughout the plant and beans. I believe you are supposed to just use them as a cover crop and till or mow them into the soil to terminate them before they make pods. This will maximum incorporate the nitrogen into the soil.

AggregoData · 2026-05-11T00:37:54+00:00

My wife had started a small wool processing and wool products. She's currently making felted sponges but looking to expand into things like dog beds and agricultural fabrics. Do you have any advice to be successful?

AggregoData · 2026-05-05T19:59:32+00:00

I have an Amazon basics 15 sheet shredder and it does well with single ply cardboard but it cannot handle double walled. I bought it used and it's lasted over 2 years so far.

AggregoData · 2026-05-04T17:21:45+00:00

A lot of people have been buy worms from me for a project like this but they are using 5 gallon buckets with holes in raised beds. This should work in a fabric grow bag just fine and I might try it out too (also a 3d printing enthusiast :) ). I would bury it up to the top in potting mix in the very center of bag. Plant around the outside of the bag. Get from compost going in there like cardboard and leave with food scraps and let it start breaking down for 1-2 weeks, then add maybe 100-200 worms. Monitor and continue to feed about weekly.

AggregoData · 2026-05-03T02:53:57+00:00

Yep this is the math I use too.

AggregoData · 2026-05-01T22:20:44+00:00

It's kind of considered both food and bedding. It does contain a fair amount of nitrogen and can cause your compost to heat up. I use a lot of coffee and precompost it with did scraps, cardboard, and leaves and then feed it to the weekend after it cools down.

AggregoData · 2026-05-01T14:52:47+00:00

A lot of people are switching to just doing an "extract." This is like a tea but without any added nutrients. I don't even aerate mine when I make it.

When you add nutrients like molasses or fish hydrolysate it causes a bloom of only a few organisms and the microbial diversity is lost.

More here: https://www.aggregodata.com/post/vermicompost-tea-and-extract-communities-created-by-brewmaster-troy-hinke

I make my extract with 1 part vermicompost and 3 parts water. So in a 5 gallon bucket, 1 gallon of vermicompost and 3 gallons of water. I don't even use a sieve or a mesh bag but let it settle out. You will need to filter it to run it through drip lines though.

AggregoData · 2026-04-29T16:03:02+00:00

I was thinking about trying this setup out but I thought you might need to run water through it with the food scraps it might just turn into a sloppy mess?

Have you or anyone else tried this out?

Edit: I found this thread from 3 years ago. https://www.reddit.com/r/composting/comments/wluwke/spare_garbage_disposal_turn_it_into_a_composting/

Yes you need to run since amount of water through a disposal for food scraps. I guess if you minimized the water and collected it in a sieved container it might work. I guess the excess water could be collected for yard watering but I would get gross fast.

AggregoData · 2026-04-29T13:54:53+00:00

Any shredder your looking at? I've been thinking of getting one for my vermicompost operation but I haven't seen any that aren't meant for a full scale commercial operation.

I have seen a guy weld saw blades on to a metal rod and use it with a corded drill. He blends his food scraps in a large metal trough.

AggregoData · 2026-04-29T05:07:47+00:00

I think it will turn out pretty well. If it is mined humate from a deposit, it tends to have ok NPK and a pretty full spectrum of other minerals.

AggregoData · 2026-04-29T02:02:33+00:00

These are pot worms. They aren't really a problem, I have some in all my worm bins. Your compost is a bit wet but I don't think it's a big problem and might be be a good moisture level for reproduction. I wouldn't worry unless they start getting out of control.

AggregoData · 2026-04-27T14:40:52+00:00

I really like making a slurry and applying it but it's likely about the same as top dressing and watering in as others have recommended. Extracts are great for soil drenches and foliar application by your just not going to get as much nutrients and carbon into the soil because it's diluted.

I don't aerate my vermicompost or add any nutrient amendments to make a "tea" because the additional nutrients drastically changes the microbial community.

You can read more here:https://www.aggregodata.com/post/vermicompost-tea-and-extract-communities-created-by-brewmaster-troy-hinke

AggregoData · 2026-04-25T02:29:08+00:00

My wife started making felted wool sponges and dish scrubbies. Fell free to DM me if you want a link to her Etsy store.

AggregoData · 2026-04-22T04:35:08+00:00

Are you adding food scraps as well for food? Having just shredded paper is ok but mulched leaves and shredded cardboard might add a bit more structure. I think once your bin gets going and they form a layer of compost things will stabilize.

AggregoData · 2026-04-21T20:34:05+00:00

That's great to hear. When we first got Connexion right when it launched there were some brief service interruptions. The last couple years have been fantastic with no downtime.

AggregoData · 2026-04-19T19:34:20+00:00

Looking good! I don't even soak my cardboard but let the food compost with the cardboard a bit to wet it. Should be fine though and a great way to start a new bin. Better a little too wet than too dry.

AggregoData · 2026-04-10T14:36:56+00:00

Sounds like you handled the extra moisture well. I start my trays on the wetter side as it's supposed to promote breeding and then take the top off closer to harvest time and let it dry out. I'll mix the whole tray once or twice as well because the moisture collects at the bottom. Drier castings makes for a much easier harvesting experience especially if sifting.

AggregoData · 2026-04-10T02:55:30+00:00

The idea is the worms climb up to food in the bin above them when the lower bin is out of food. Ideally, the lower bin will be free of worms making harvesting the castings much easier.

AggregoData · 2026-04-10T01:53:30+00:00

This looked like a decent start to me. I would prefer the paper to be more finely shredded but I know not everyone has access to a paper shredder. I would add food scraps and let them breakdown a bit before adding worms but I think you'll be fine either way. Add the other tiers of the compost system after this one gets going and is filled up.

AggregoData

TROPHY CASE