We received a very generous Christmas present of cheeses delivered over three months. Each delivery is made with an ice pack in a polystyrene box so that the cheeses arrive in peak condition. The question arises: what to do with the box? Well three well insulated stacking boxes is just the right number for a wormery!
The bottom box needs to be watertight (to catch the "worm tea") but the the top two boxes need holes to allow the air to circulate - and the worms too. The lid needs holes to allow the air in. So it is out with the trusty soldering iron to make those holes.
Next add worms to the middle box. No problem as we have a plentiful supply from our maturing dalek composter. Sure enough it is teaming with them. Along with them comes a layer of "bedding" - partially composted material. The worms will soon settle down in their familiar environment, although it is going to be a bit warmer in their new indoor location which they should love.
Next, some new food for them to get to work on, still in the middle box sitting on top of the bottom "reservoir" box:
The third box sits on top. Once the worms settle into the middle box and grow out of it their food will be added to this box and the worms will move up into this chamber. Soon after the worms have departed for their new pasture the middle box can be removed and then emptied so that the top box becomes the new middle box. The emptied box becomes the new top box. The bottom box will need to be monitored and worm tea decanted from time to time too.
That's the theory. Let's just test it out.
Now what tune could cover all the bases on this topic?
Sounds like crop rotation. I hope those worms get a wiggle on for you. Is worm tea a euphemism for something less savoury? Indoor location? By the way do you use a soldering iron to seal weed control fabric? Can you buy a battery gooerated one?
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the process everything produced has been through a worm at least once. Yes indoors, in our coal cellar, although I have considered housing in the shed.
DeleteI have been contemplating quarterizing WSF but sadly the soldering iron needs a mains electricity supply not availabe at the plot. I do have a handy iron rod that could be heated up in a bonfire...
I’ve looked and you can get battery operated soldering irons but, Martyn’s not convinced it would be feasible as he thinks it would be very time consuming.
DeleteThere is a hot debate (in our house at least) as to the compatibility of long term WSF deployment and supporting the web of organisms required to regulate soil health - most notably worms. I am (reluctantly) restricting its use to the very short term. Of course the alternative is loads of organic mulch, but this is not easy to come by without major financial outlay. It's a dilemma I am exploring.
DeleteGreat idea for the boxes...I use the to catch the swarms in...they are great for transporting bees....if I get some more I may consider a wormery though!!
ReplyDelete