Think Cool: Winter Worm Composting (article)

[Originally found here: http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/winter-worm-composting.aspx] Even in the heat of summer, it's not to early to consider ways to keep our garden friends, our composting worms, fully employed over the winter months. For now, use that vermicompost for some worm "compost teas" to help your gardens with the stress of this summer’s heat. When cold weather comes, gather your materials and try overwintering your worms outside. Cold weather (remember that?) will definitely slow the activity of a worm colony. Although my experience is that worms can be incredibly hardy, there’s no reason to miss a beat over the winter. The two key factors are shelter and heat. Last winter I chose had to replace my compost bins cause they were rotten. They were oak pallets and they had lasted about seven years. I took the old pallets…

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Plastics in the Worm Composting System

After a few months of not adding substantial amounts of material to my Worm Inn (I slow down the feeding to my worms in the warmer months), I decided to take it outside and poke around in the castings. There was a good six inches of beautiful, crumbly castings...great stuff! However, there was also several pieces of plastic film...huh? Then I remembered, a few months ago I placed some waxed paper, an ice cream carton, and a chinese food container (without the metal handle)...and that's what's left!  I don't recommend adding this kind of stuff to a worm composting system, but my curiosity got the better of me. What's sad is that a large portion of single use paper products have plastic liners embedded in them to keep the contents…

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Worm Inn Fruit Fly Trap

In the warmer months, I have challenges with fruit flies surrounding my Worm Inn from time to time.  The key is to pay attention to the moisture level inside the Worm Inn and cover your deposits with bedding materials to keep them to a minimum. I decided to try putting my fruit fly trap on top of the Inn instead of on the ground beneath it.  I found that I caught nearly all the fruit flies overnight by having it on top! If you haven't made a fruit fly trap before, they're really quick and cheap to make. All you need is: -A jar -A few drops of dish soap -1 cup of apple cider vinegar (wine works, too) -A piece of plastic wrap large enough to cover the opening…

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