u/Brilliant_Contest273

Looking to get started with vermiculture!
The idea of stacked buckets is appealing for the smaller footprint when I live alone (though I do think I cook more than most) and to encourage worm migration with time and layers, but invariably I see many “just get a wide bin” comments. My questions:

If 5 gallon buckets are stacked, there isn’t really that much working depth in there, several inches is my guess. Is the risk of converting to anaerobic breakdown realistic if someone is diligent about adding a new bucket when those several inches are used up?

Speaking of 5 gallons, is that height actually needed in your working bucket or is it just wasted space? Could I, say, stack 5-6 3.5 gallon buckets (which have a similar stacking depth and footprint, they are just shorter overall) or do I need the full height of the 5 gallon before bedding etc gets broken down more?

Do the worms actually migrate in real life? Like, at all? I know it won’t be perfect but if it’s so minimal to not save minimal to no work, that obviously changes the appeal.

Thanks in advance!

This year my ambitions have outstripped my space and I have bought a raised bed. At least one of my tomato plants will be relegated to growing here. I will put in plenty of compost and the bed is just over 12.5“ deep. Based on my growth in previous years if I trellis as I normally do I assume they would grow beyond my reach eventually.

Is there any possibility of staking them to an aggressive arch shape so they tumble downward, since it would be a while before they’re actually dragging in dirt? Any suggestions as to how to minimize branch breakage?

I am planning to plant:
An Italian red pear variety
Principe borghese
Sungold
Black cherry
Pink bumblebee
Black krim
Paul Robeson

Is there any variety that might do best exiled from in-ground planting? I am thinking the sungold as it is the least likely to surpass my height in past years (1.65 m/5’5”), but I have never grown pink bumblebee, black krim, or Paul Robeson before. The others will easily get taller than me.

TIA!