Microorganisms living on organic waste nourish the worm rather than the original waste we provide for the worms. Think green mold, white powder and soft, smelly rotten stuff.

As the earthworm eats the organic waste and microbes they promote further microbially activity and produce a richer fragmented product than the original waste they consumed. As the waste is consumed, plant nutrients particularly N, P, K and Ca are released and converted into forms more soluble and readily available to plants. This all happens quite rapidly by passing through the gut of the earthworm in just a few hours. Vermicompost is ready to use when you can no longer recognize its original form. Finished vermicompost should have a dark consistency and smell like clean, sweet and wonderful soil. Remember you only need to add 5-10% vermicompost to your new and existing plants.

**information compiled from Vermiculture Technology edited by Clive Edwards, Norman Arancon

and Rhonda Sherman. c2011  (pages 80-81)

It is necessary to use organic substances that will hold moisture, be suitable for the worms to live and function while providing a place to bury garbage. Bedding may include shredded newspaper, shredded office paper, leaf mold, non aromatic sawdust, coconut coir, 2 handfuls of soil and/or compost. This small amount of soil/compost is added to the original bedding, helping to provide grit for the worm gizzard and by adding a diversity of microorganisms, bacteria and fungi necessary for breaking down the food. Be sure to thoroughly moisten the bedding mixture being careful that it is not wringing wet. To be continued--- Earthworm nourishment, plant nutrients…N, P, K and Ca

Do not confuse the excess moisture or liquid collected in the bottom of a worm bin as 'worm tea'. This leachate is the  undigested liquid and excess moisture that has passed through organic material that may contain pathogens or excess nutrients that may be harmful to plants. It is best to use this leachate on unwanted plants such as weeds.

information supplied in VERMICULTURE TECHNOLOGY, 2011.  page 70

Rhonda L Sherman, North Carolina State University

Worms are available for purchase now at our Worm Farm or Van Winden's Garden Center in Napa. You can start your worm composting system now. It's also time to start pruning your Roses, Fruit Trees and plant seeds indoors. Spring is on it's way. Yipee

This is a wonderful site introducing Vermicomposting facts, food, bins, light, moisture etc. The end of the article includes numerous References. This was compiled by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/10-009.htm

Vermicompost has the potential to protect crops from disease and fight plant infections

caused by pathogens.

DO FEED:

• Coffee Grounds & Filters
• Tea Bags (no staples)
• Egg Shells
• Fruits & Vegetables (fresh or rotten)
• VEGETARIAN Animal Manure
• Natural Fibers (cotton/hemp)
• Cardboard, Shredded paper & Newspaper
• Yard Waste (healthylleaves/clippings)

DON'T FEED:

• Dairy Products
• Meat, Bones
• Oily, Greasy Food
• Glass, Plastic, Metal, Foil, Rubber Bands, Ties
• Glossy Paper, Photographs, Colored Ink
• Diseased Plants, Clippings, Leaves, Ivy

Worms will consume their food more quickly the finer it is chopped up, soft and rotten, covered in microorganisms.

Beginning January 3, 2012 thru February 2012 your neighbors and community members will be out with petitions requesting signatures for our June Ballet. You may be wondering what this is about...please checkout:   www.labelgmos.org/

We are asking to have Genetically Modified foods labeled, It is our right to know what we are eating.

The following species 5 species are most notable for their natural ability to process organic waste, including life cycle, reproductive rates, endurance and tolerance of handling.

1) Eisenia andrei

2) Eisenia fetida

3) Dendrobaena veneta

4) Perionyx excavatus

5) Eudrilus eugenia

There is much more detailed information in VERMICULTURE TECHNOLOGY edited by Clive A. Edwards, Norman Q. Arancon & Rhonda Sherman on pages 29-35.

Shop Local and Give the GIFT that keeps on gRoWiNg. We have Vermicompost which is live with microorganisms to add to your garden anytime of year. Live NUDE Worms. Worm Condo, Worm Barrel, Starter Kits for the Worm Farmer 'wanna be'. Aerated Worm Tea can be used on Houseplants and in the Garden. Need a Gift Certificate...we have them.

Here is our latest Worm Bin Design created by Dan. Stackable Worm Bin includes 4 trays for $150.

We just picked up several tons of Harvest Compost from Upper Valley Disposal & Recycling (http://www.uvds.com/compostsales.htm). This is the time of year to get your Lasagne (Layering) Compost spread out into your garden and yard to reduce weeds. The layering of Compost now, helps to restore your soil for Spring plantings by adding nutrients, microorganisms and worms. The lasagne method suggests that you wet the soil and then apply cardboard or newspaper over the entire area, do not leave any soil uncovered. Spread 3-6" of compost over the entire area and let nature do the rest. Next Spring you will be glad you did this.

Contact us prior to a Farmer's Market or Special Event to reserve your worms, worm tea or vermicompost. Are you looking for a Worm Bin or Worm Barrel? We are happy to accommodate your requests. Looking for new ideas*****what else would you like us to offer?

Remember to keep your Worms  WET & COOL in this weather.  Be extra diligent in the plastic bins as they may absorb the outside heat and cook your worms. Keep these bins in a cool place, elevate for better air circulation and open up the lid for more air circulation. The wood bins and barrels are not as prone to cooking the worms in this heat. Keep the soil as wet as a damp sponge (until you squeeze it and 1-2 drops of water are squeezed out).

Beautiful Sunny day, perfect for planting anything. Vermicompost is a must to get the plants off to a great start. Besides the minerals and nutrients readily available to the roots of plants and seedlings, our worms have provided top notch vermicompost to help with aeration, drainage and moisture holding capacity to make your plants Strong and Proud. The added bonus is the presence of worm eggs which will turn into future 'blenders of the soil' and all the microbes that help keep everything in balance. Off to the garden, looking forward to the beauty and the harvest.

Let's debunk an old wives tale. Cutting a worm in half does not create 2 worms, instead you now have 1 dead worm. A worm will only survive being cut from it's tale to the 8th segment and then you have a shorter worm with a stunted tail.

Why Do I Use Aerated Compost Tea? ANSWER: It’s the BIOLOGY, adding organic life to the soil, improving soil structure, water retention, root depth and growth. Aerated Worm Tea is a “cold-brewed”, water extract of compost produced during a 24 hour aeration cycle. The microbes extracted from the vermicompost contain a large diversity of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes, without these microbes you just have Dirt! This BIOLOGY is important to the soil, they help convert raw soil into readily available forms that roots can absorb including nutrient retention and oxygen, preventing production of toxins and increasing plant health. The more ‘alive’ your soil is the better nourished your plants will be. Aerated Compost Tea does not contain chemicals including N-P-K which deliver simple “quick fix” nutrition and do nothing to help restore essential nutrients to the soil in a natural way. Feeding this Living Soil with Compost Tea encourages vigorous growth, including the nutritional quality of plants, flowers and produce. Benefits of Aerated Worm Tea  Microbes eat Aphids  Microbes occupy Infection/Damaged areas helping to prevent attack by pathogens  Food Resources in Compost Tea allow beneficial microorganisms to grow, protecting plant surfaces  Safe to use around Children and Pets Information compiled from: The Compost Tea Brewing Manual and The Field Guide II for Actively Aerated Compost Tea (AACT) by Dr Elaine Ingham