tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627749570719712047.post2108723489343405714..comments2024-02-15T08:22:52.443-08:00Comments on The Back Forty: Those Stinky Kitchen ScrapsRobbynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860870861321231048noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627749570719712047.post-70182556120952307772007-03-07T19:29:00.000-08:002007-03-07T19:29:00.000-08:00Keep us posted about the progress if you decide to...Keep us posted about the progress if you decide to do the buried worm bed. You're head-and-shoulders above me in that respect...though it didn't work for you the first time, I haven't tried it at all yet. <BR/><BR/>I remember my grandmother used to have a raised bed surrounded by cinderblocks, and she planted thrift in the spaces of the blocks. After a while, it was a mound of green and pink. I've never tried that down here because I'm afraid that during weeding, I'll be sticking my hand down in a snake's hiding place (ewww). We're in Florida, where there are as many snakes as weeds...<BR/><BR/>:)Robbynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860870861321231048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627749570719712047.post-35152173572193639702007-03-07T14:56:00.000-08:002007-03-07T14:56:00.000-08:00Thanks for the kind words about my website. It's b...Thanks for the kind words about my website. It's been a few years since I did the vermicomposting thing, so the details aren't clear any more. I purchased a large-ish plastic bin, like one you would store stuff in under the bed- (not transparent, though. We drilled holes in the bottom, and put it in the garage. I bought Red Wigglers (am I dating myself if I sing "The Cadillac of Worms?") at the local bait store. I think my worst error, though, was using the bedding from the house rabbit- pine shavings and rabbit urine. Because rabbit droppings are the only fertilizer that can be added to plants without composting, I thought the urine would be as benign. We discovered, though that rabbit urine is alledgedly one of the most caustic substances known to man. I think I poisoned the worms to death. There may have also been temperature issues- the box was in the garage and it may have gotten too hot for them. I would like to try again, but I hate to have the blood of all of those worms on my hands...<BR/><BR/>We used cinderblocks for our raised beds, and I liked them a lot. We even planted in the holes of the cinder blocks. This past year, we took the cinderblocks away. Maybe I will use them to line a hole and put a buried worm bed in the yard.<BR/><BR/>We do the compost in a cheap plastic mixing bowl with a snap on lid. My only complaint is that when I have some yucky vegetable remains in one and try to put them in the compost bowl, the lid won't open with one hand. When I have both hands available, the lid just pops off.<BR/><BR/>WillaWillahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10115110657993404611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627749570719712047.post-16413077586599519772007-02-14T19:32:00.000-08:002007-02-14T19:32:00.000-08:00Thank you for your insights, Willa! Is there some...Thank you for your insights, Willa! Is there some advice you'd give from your first experiences in vermicomposting? Anything you'd recommend or not do again? I'm concerned about ants...we get whole sand castles of fire ants here, and I've wondered if they infest compost or vermiculture bins. I peeked at your website and really enjoyed it! thanks for the comments :)Robbynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860870861321231048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627749570719712047.post-51348892355693123222007-02-14T18:53:00.000-08:002007-02-14T18:53:00.000-08:00You might enjoy a book called "Worms eat my garbag...You might enjoy a book called "Worms eat my garbage"- it's a pretty good discussion of vermicomposting. I keep thinking I want to try it, but my first attempt ended badly for the worms...<BR/>But I do have to say, after 10 years of good composting, I have GREAT garden soil. And I am still dreaming of the homesteading at age 50!<BR/>Willa<BR/>http://palocalvore.blogspot.comWillahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10115110657993404611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627749570719712047.post-56214851469142297472007-02-14T08:26:00.000-08:002007-02-14T08:26:00.000-08:00Oh, and P.S....I see you mentioned the Dervaes fam...Oh, and P.S....I see you mentioned the Dervaes family on your site. I ran across their site a few months back and LOVE returning there for inspiration! There are many others out there using what they have without owning much acreage. There was recently a family from Sarasota, FL featured in a homesteading-friendly magazine who were also doing something similar on their suburban neighborhood property...raising everything they eat, at least as far as vegetables. They're not spring chickens, either, but that lifestyle has kept them really healthy and very content :) Hooray for the urban pioneers!Robbynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860870861321231048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627749570719712047.post-27642484070241815502007-02-14T08:22:00.000-08:002007-02-14T08:22:00.000-08:00Thanks for your encouragement, Mylene! We may nev...Thanks for your encouragement, Mylene! We may never get acreage, but we're narrowing down our focus and I know the outcome will be a fun journey...it's already been eye-opening just in the research alone. I peeked at your sites and loved the heartrockgarden one...I'll be perusing them as time allows...SO interesting, and it's a shot in the arm knowing there are others out there doing this as well! Thanks for the tip about the pallets. I haven't found a free source for those around here yet, but I'll be looking! Thanks again for the comment and feel free to contribute any time :)Robbynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860870861321231048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627749570719712047.post-52985235262097266722007-02-14T06:16:00.000-08:002007-02-14T06:16:00.000-08:00You have a great blog going! I really enjoy your ...You have a great blog going! I really enjoy your writings-partly because I can relate so well to "starting" at 40-something! I am right there with you! Re: kitchen scraps, I use a coffee can & keep it in the fridge (it is very sad how much we waste:-(. When you get critters, you will have lots less because chickens, rabbits, pigs, cats & dogs will all eat most kitchen scraps. My friend uses an old 5 Gl paint bucket & puts a scoop of dirt on top each time he adds scraps & it really doesn't smell, but those lids are kind of a pain. Keep experimenting, you have a good imagination, you'll find 1 that works for you. Re: materials for your raised beds (the only way to garden:-) around here, many businesses have stacks of old wooden shipping pallets, free for the taking. They are usually 4'x4', easy to take apart & rebuild. They also work great for a compost bin. Good Luck with all you do! I wish you much success and hope you have fun learning!BohoMamóhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09121800597508562228noreply@blogger.com