Message #1278 - THE_HERBALIST 
   Date: 02-08-96 22:46
   From: Song Bird
     To: All
Subject: red wigglers
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Well, I've gone and done it.  I've been sucked in by the promise of rich
earth and crubling compost.  My herbs will love me for this....
 
I've ordered a batch of red wigglers.  Here in Colorado it's difficult to do
compost with any real degree of success.  Our days (at least here in the
foothills) are quite cool and the growing season is only about 120 days in a
good year.
 
The compost pile I did last year is still there..... quite uncomposted and
still looking like the things I threw in there. (sigh)  So, with visions of
rich earth in my head I go forward into a new world - a world of worms in the
pantry.
 
Yep.  That's right, worms in the pantry.  I have to hang my head in shame,
now, since I distinctly recall saying "Ewwww...." to that idea some time ago
right here on this very echo.
 
The way it's done, BTW, is like so;
 
Get a box about the size of the compost sections you'd like to create.
(Keeping in mind that it takes about 6 weeks to create good friable compost
from 6 cubic feet of vegetable material.)  Layer the bottom of the box with
plastic so that it doesn't leak and then put down about a 6 inch layer of the
material you are using.
 
Dampen the material so that it makes for a nice home for the worms but be
sure not to soak the mix - you don't want to drown them.  Put the worms in an
add an additional 6 dampened inches over the top of that.  Cover the box,
making sure the lid is loose enough to admit air.
 
In about a week check the mix by moving one-half of the material onto the
other side of the box.  Providing you see good activity, add new material in
the now empty section of the box.  Always be sure your moisture level is
adequate since that - and excess heat - will kill the worms quicker than
anything.
 
Leaves, kitchen scraps (vege only since meat will fester), grass clippings,
weeds, and just about anything else organic will work well.  I hear that
worms especially like cantelope rinds.  Keep up with the program until you
have enough to begin taking compost from the box.  Your worms will increase
if you give them more space.
 
6 weeks looks pretty good to me here.  Heck, I could have a good bit of
compost by May 15th!
 
Anyone else here use worms?
 
Song Bird

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