by Wonder Worman | May 31, 2010 | Red Wiggler World, Sidetracks
I went to Camas, Washington over Memorial Day weekend with my family to check out Doug’s business Northwest Redworms. Doug is a really neat guy loaded with red wiggler information. His place is about 10 acres, and he has lots of chickens, too many to count, a cow named Mud, and some cats that wander around the place.
My visit’s goal was to ask questions and to learn from his success. When we arrived, he was loading up a guy’s pickup truck with worm castings. The castings were rich in color and actually looked like a batch that I recently harvested. Seeing the similarity, really got me excited. By the way, this guy drove from California just to get Doug’s castings!!!
We then began the tour of his business. He had bins all over the place. Some were made from concrete molds and were about 5 feet long with holes on the bottom. Others were made from wood rescued from the landfill. He had bins under trees and bins under frost sheets. The coolest compost piles were the free standing ones filled with animal droppings. Figures I’d like that! He was testing Alpaca Poop, too. After getting the gloves, we got busy digging into the pile. It was loaded with red wigglers, and there was steam coming off the top. I was amazed! The worms were there. After all of the research with hot composting, I thought the worms would not survive. The pile also had veggie waste and yard debris mixed in with all of the poop! I have a client who wants to start composting her Alpaca poop and will definitely be able to steer her in the right direction. I am excited to share my new found knowledge with the worm loving community of Bend!
I need to stop here cause
1) I feel like I am a terrible writer
2) and I have a feeling no one is even reading this blog!
kinda negative on my part! but have to say what’s in my brain!!!
more later….. I think LOL
by Wonder Worman | Apr 26, 2010 | Less in the Landfill, Red Wiggler World
Composting with Red Wigglers requires bedding material. There needs to be a mixture of green and brown waste. The green waste would be considered the veggie and fruits scraps and the brown waste would be the shredded newspaper/peat moss combination. In the past, I have been using a 50/50 combination for the bedding. This season I’ve changed the ratio to 75% newspaper and 25% peat moss. I want to mix it up a bit.
Making sure I do not have a lot of colored paper or the slick advertisements, I start the shredding process. Some vermicomposters like to use a paper shredder. I prefer to use my hands. Shredding the paper is very relaxing. I find myself day dreaming and traveling off to some tropical island. Any way! I wanted to share my new bedding material with you. I will keep you updated on the process and report if I made any changes.
Happy wormin’
by Wonder Worman | Apr 22, 2010 | Red Wiggler World
I am ready to start my day and am very grateful for many things this morning. Earth Day, in my mind, is a time to reflect on what I have been given. I am not sure if many people believe that the Earth and all that she provides is a gift to us. The beauty of this planet is mind blowing. I am often in awe of the seasons and the changes that occur. The falling snow, the wind, the rain and the blooming flower.
For a moment, think of the something humbling that Mother Earth has given to you! I am sure it will not be hard.
Remember take only what you need and put back what you don’t.
by Wonder Worman | Apr 21, 2010 | Less in the Landfill, Red Wiggler World
Actually I delivered two bins today minus the Super Composting Red Wigglers. The weather this week has been rather silly! On Sunday, it was near 70, and today it was close to 40! Yucky for sure. The weather was not ideal, and I did not feel comfortable setting my red wigglers into their new homes. The worms will be delivered in about 2 weeks. By then, I hope the weather has improved and the nightime lows are above freezing.
My clients were very excited to get the bins even without the worms, knowing they can still compost. Food waste will be tossed into the bin and will begin to break down. So when the worms do arrive, the bedding will have food scraps for them to eat.
I am excited for this season of vermicomposting. I am scheduled to be at the Earth Day Fair this Saturday 4/24 in downtown Bend at the Environmental Center. There will be many local Earth loving people there!! Come down and say “Hi”.
More later! happy wormin’
by Wonder Worman | Mar 8, 2010 | Red Wiggler World, Resources
This is such a wonderful, sweet, happy, adorable kid’s book. It’s actually a book for anyone who wants to laugh and learn some cool info about worms.
Doreen Cronin writes informative info about worms and how much they have to offer in such a fun way. The book is written in a diary format. Harry Bliss has amazing illustrations, and is able to make a worm look “cute”!!! I’m all about the cute factor.
So if you have time, and you’re looking for a fun, easy read for yourself, your kids or your students. Pick up the book!!!
Forgot to mention, I do read this book to the students when I visit Bend’s Schools. Enjoy!!! Click below to buy the book at Powells.
I went to Camas, Washington over Memorial Day weekend with my family to check out Doug’s business Northwest Redworms. Doug is a really neat guy loaded with red wiggler information. His place is about 10 acres, and he has lots of chickens, too many to count, a cow named Mud, and some cats that wander around the place. 
