Worm Relocation

My pet worms received new homes over the weekend. They started out in the gray bin about 7 years ago. A few years later a good friend decided she no longer wanted to do vermicomposting and gave her bin to me. By that time my worm population had expanded enough to have two bins.

Both containers have served me well, but the original bin recently became cracked and started leaking all that wonderful compost tea (and it kind of made a mess) on the basement floor.

The larger bin is still in pretty good shape, however worm poop is heavy and I can’t move it outside to harvest. Instead I scoop the poop into a bucket and carry it out. A much easier way is to take the bin out, dump it on black plastic, form the poop into a mound; the worms will head toward the bottom away from the light. As they move down, I scoop off the top until there is just a mass of worms left.

So I asked Handy Randy to make me two new bins, one to replace the cracked one and the other to replace the large one.

On the left is the large bin, replaced by the one on the right.

It is pretty easy; he just put three air holes on each side of a plastic container and covered them with screen which he glued in place with E-6000.

Here is a link to an earlier post about vermicomposting. If you are interested in starting your own worm bin, I have worms to share. This is one of the easiest and most valuable garden projects I have experienced.

HR also put together my new compost tumbler replacing a metal one that rusted after 10 years.

Up for a little mystery?

I have some very healthy organic tomato plants growing in my compost bin. I have no idea what variety or if they are heirloom or hybrid. I will be happy to give them to anyone that likes surprises. Just stop by the potager. I am usually in the garden between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. If I am not at home, just help yourselves. For those of you that are not familiar with the potager, just walk straight back on the east side of the garage and you will find the compost bins. If you see weeds (and you will) feel free to pull them!