(So... cold....)---
I went out on the porch at lunchtime to bring in one of the flower boxes. I want to grow some baby Asian greens indoors this winter, under my seedling lights. Lately, I'm craving Asian greens like crazy. I'll settle for even just a leaf or two at a time, chopped fine, for garnish on a hot, buttery, salty baked potato. Mmmm, piping hot potatoes in winter... Anyway, the still dirt-filled flower boxes are stacked on each other, and they are pretty well frozen, too, except in the drainage crevasses on the undersides of the pots. And behold, what should my little eye spy? Worms. My worms. Eisenia fetida. About two dozen. Must have been some egg cases in one of last year's worm poop garden feedings.
This is in a Detroit winter, folks. Today's high is fixing to be, oh, about 27 F. That's some powerful worms. I am mightily impressed. I'll go out again later, on another worm recon mission.
The little buggers were ice cold, but started immediately wriggling from the heat coming off my hand. I brought them indoors, and tucked them safely in the indoor bin. My palm still remembers the cold of them.
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7 comments:
'Em Michigan worms are tough little guys! With a team like the Lions to cheer for, they have to be.
Ilex, can you recommend a good (but easy to understand, ha ha) book on worm farming? Only one of my composting books even mentions it...and of course I have lent it out. And when I first read it, all I could think was, "Worms? Outside of my garden? Ewwwww."
I really would like to look in to this, though, so any help is very appreciated.
RS-- Here in Detroit, we're hoping for 0 and 16. We can do it!
Irma-- the best book for beginning wormers is "Worms Eat My Garbage" by Mary Appelhof. She's widely regarded as the mother of American vermiculture. My favorite worm supply site is Happy D Ranch; you can find them on-line. They have everything you'd ever need, they are very helpful, and their worms are amazing. Your plants will love you for it.
I'm really curious. We have family in your area and I'm wondering if you're in the same area. Can you shoot me an email to meadowlarkgurl? that's at gmail.com.
Thanks!
Irma, if I'm right in reading your profile, you've got a great worm vendor in your (general) area! Last year, I ordered my red wigglers from Dennis at http://www.wormfirm.ns.ca/ and got great worms at a great price.
(Sorry to use your comments as a message board, Ilex!)
THANK YOU Shirty, that vendor is very much in my area!
Use me. I'm here to help. Glad to hear of a good worm source in the Great White North. Sure beats paying postage from California.
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