Why The Red Wiggler?

Today there's a few composting worms used commercially, and for the home. Red Worms can consume 50% of their body weight. European Night Crawlers is a larger worm also used for composting, but does not like weather fluctuation. Red Wigglers can adapt to almost any weather, other than freezing. And can consume up to 100% of their body weight. Don't be fooled Red Worms have a different scientific name than the Red Wigglers. So I get to wondering when someone says Red Worms are the same as the Red Wigglers.

When you buy your worms, always ask if they are adults or bed run. Why? Most worm farmers sell by the pound. And there are around 300 adults to the pound, and 500- 1000 bed run. "Bed run" is all different sizes. These different types of worms are classified as litter worms. They do not like to burrow deep into the soil. They like the surface, to six inches down to eat their food.

Recycling

Today recycling is a wake up call to all of us. We are being educated on how our earth is suffering from how we live, and what we do. Recycling that one can will make a difference. For example if five hundred people follow your lead you just recycled five hundred cans . Fairly basic math. Composting is on the rise, not only do you save our landfills, you have great natural fertilizer to use. Vermicomposting not only makes a great fertilizer, but the worms can also clean up toxins in the ground. California uses Composting worms in their landfills and are having positive results. In exchange they sell the bi product worm manure or worm castings, and the castings help absorb the costs of operation. I personally have tried to promote the idea of using composting worms for our landfills in British Columbia Canada. But as usual if a politician didn't think of the idea, you might as well forget it. I noticed when the United States comes up with either a new drug, or something totally new, it takes Canada a couple of years before it's approved here.

Time To Add Worm Castings!

It's that time again, planting season is approaching. Now is the time to add your first application of worm castings. There are different methods to applying worm castings.

1.Top dressing -around the stem of the plant.Should be a inch away from the stem, applying a inch to inch and a half depth, and approximating as wide as the roots have grown.

2. Side dressing - applying the castings on one particular side of the plant as a quick application.

3.Pre application- applying the castings to the hole, and mixing with the planting mixture for planting, or trans planting.

The difference in top dressing and side dressing is top dressing you are adding more castings for better absorption, compared to side dressing which you want to give your plants a little boast.

If you have great soil, and have already top dressed earlier in the season, side dressing is recommended to keep the plants nutrients available through growth stages.

Manure Or Greens?

Composting with composting worms can be a challenge.

Just the other day I was studying the many notes I take on improving our worm castings. I came upon basic information, but very helpful information, which can improve the potency of worm castings.

The first thing is what you feed your worms, regarding foods with balanced nutrients makes your castings.

Vegatable wastes produce different castings compared to manures. Some swear by manure as the best source for great castings, others like house waste from their scrapes. Cost efficient wise, manure is cheaper and can be more available. Personally if you have a small operation I prefer vegetable matter. On larger scale farms, then I would chose the manure. Don't forget vegatables need to be composted too, it will save our landfills, As well as our environment

Buying Worms?

Spring is almost here, and time to start the spring clean up. Now is the time to add some of your worm castings to your new growth. This will feed the plants and help as a defence for those hungry bugs.

Or if you are debating on purchasing composting worms for a regular supply of castings, be very careful who you talk to and where you purchase the composting worms from. There's many outlets to buy the worms and here's a couple of suggestions to keep in mind.

1. A respectable seller who has a good review.

2. How many worms per pound are they offering?

3. What kind of composting worms are they selling?

4.Check the market value of the worms.

5. Shipping times, and postage

In re-guards to my suggestions the cheapest seller isn't the best. Remember if it's too good to be true question it!

Most sellers sell "bed run worms" meaning all different sizes.

800 to 1000 is around a pound.

Red Wigglers consume up to 100% of their body weight, and can handle stress levels.

$35.00- $40.00 per pound is average for U.S.A.( from a respectable buyer )

Make sure you order when the weather is not too hot or cold.

And ask how they are packaged. Rule of thumb- one pound of worms to one pound of bedding.