Many people in Central Oregon are Vermicomposting! Some are new to the experience and some have tons of knowledge to share. I really enjoy meeting new people and hearing what they want to achieve.
There are really helpful websites for vermicomposters around the world!
If you want to see who is composting globally and add yourself to a list of red wiggler fans visit vermicomposters.com.
Also there’s google’s knol which has a great article on Vermicomposting.
Red Wigglers are hermaphrodites. Which means, they have both male and female reproductive organs. Although they have both organs, they still need each other to mate. Being around these magnificent creatures, I have witnessed this amazing procedure. They actually form a knot, a “love knot”. While knotted up, a mucus forms around the band, the clitellum. The mucus contains sperm, and the sperm is deposited in the microscopic sac located underneath the clitellum. As days past, the mucus will harden and form a cocoon. The Red Wiggler will then back it’s head out of the clitellum and the cocoon will be deposited into the bedding.
I am learning new facts about my sidekicks every day. I search internet sites and would like to credit: ourvitalearth.com and cathyscomposters.com
Now that the weather is warmer in Bend, I have been noticing many egg cocoons. The worms are becoming more active and therefore mating a bunch more. They leave behind a golden tear shaped cocoon. It almost looks like a seed (see photo). The color of the cocoon will change as the baby worms develop. Right before they hatch, the cocoon will be a deep red almost maroon color. Inside, there are about 5-10 babies ready to feed on the kitchen scraps. It takes about 3 weeks for the babies to emerge. Once they have hatched, it takes about 8 weeks for them to be an adult worm and the mating process will begin again.
Is it time for you to change your bedding? Has the bedding turned a rich dark color? It may be time.
Since the Red Wigglers are in a contained environment and aren’t able to migrate to a different area, an area where their bedding isn’t overwhelmed by their waste, it’s important to provide that area for them. First expose the bin to light and your Red Wigglers will migrate to the bottom. Skim the top layer, this is the rich organic fertilizer that you have been waiting for! Save it or put it to use.
For more detailed information, check out “Wonder Worman’s Quick Guide to Red Wiggling”. It’s a quick guide to get you going and you can download it here.
Local shops in town like, Big Island Kona Mix Plate, thump coffee, and Riley’s Market provide tasty scraps for pick up. These scraps are put to good use and let the Super Composting Red Wigglers get a taste variety.
I support Big Island Kona Mix Plate, a local family owned restaurant, in their efforts to make their restaurant “greener”. Also, Big Island Kona Mix Plate no longer uses styrofoam plate-ware, which further reduces their contribution to the landfill.
Thump coffee, is a really cool coffee shop downtown (family owed as well), has an ample supply of used coffee grounds that can be used in your garden or compost pile. When my Super Composting Red Wigglers need a little pick-me-up I stop by the shop just before closing and pick up the goods.
Riley’s Market, another family owned business, located in NorthWest Crossing, offers among other things, fresh organic locally grown produce, a variety of delicious sandwiches and tasty baked goods. When time takes its toll on the produce and bakery items at Riley’s Market, I am called in to take the goods to my trusty sidekicks! My Super Composting Red Wigglers are more than happy to do their part! What a great treat!
What’s on the menu today for Wonder Worman’s Super Composting Red Wigglers? There’s Red Leaf lettuce, banana peels, strawberries, oats, pasta, rice and spinach, among other things – Food scraps from the last couple of days. If you have kids and are looking for ways to get them even more excited about having Red Wigglers, make a project out of feeding your worms by creating a “soup” out of food that would normally go to waste – but still a good source of food for your Red Wigglers (Moldy bread? Bring it on! Rusty Lettuce? Yum!). Before putting this mix into the bin, add a bit of water to prevent any moisture from being absorbed by the mix from the existing bedding. Bon Appetit!
