This is for all the gardeners who have started worm farming in the last year and are wondering how to use all the rich black castings that have accumulated over the winter. Perhaps the best use of this precious resource, is to incorporate it at a rate of about 25% into a rich organic seed starting mix that will grow strong healthy seedlings, and transfer beneficial micro-organisms to you garden when the seedlings are transplanted. ...This is what to start with, black muddy worm castings... This is what to start with, black muddy worm castings with a few worms left in it. We are going to amend it with potting soil and a few organic fertilizers to improve air content of our mix and address any trace minerals that may be lacking or biologically unavailable in the casting. I add a few handfuls of perlite and vermiculite to the worm bins over the winter as I add food and bedding, so I'm ahead on the aeration. I cannot stress the importance of aeration enough, roots need air spaces to grow into!
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So you'd like to compost year-round, you want things to keep breaking down right through the winter, I can't say I blame you. Year round composting offers numerous benefits, no time lost on decomposition, no food waste because the compost bin was frozen, and come spring you've got beautiful compost for those vegetable gardens that you've missed oh so much over the winter. But what are your options? what can you do to keep going year round? Here's my winter composting round up for you, hopefully one of these ideas will inspire you to keep going after October all the way until May. Insulated bins:
How about an insulated compost bin? This is by far my favorite strategy despite my lack personal experience. With a little bit of skill and some readily available materials an insulated box with an insulated lid can keep decomposition going right through much our nasty winter weather. Between the heat of decomposition, the thermal mass of the pile and the R-value of the insulated bin your compost pile will keep on cooking right on through till spring. With some basic building supplies you could have one done in a day. The method is simple enough, once the first bin fills pitch the compost into the second bin and start building up compostables in the first bin again. Not only does this style bin keep going through a lot of the winters lowest temperatures but it cooks up compost faster with its stable environment in warmer months. With turn around time from food waste to garden ready compost in as little as two months. |
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March 2017
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