Mold - my first test

Tonight, I lifted the lid of my worm factory to find some of the bread I had thrown in as food to be covered with green/grey mold.   Wondering what I was doing wrong and concerned that my new roommates may be poisoned, I quickly removed some of the biggest bread blobs and stirred the others under the soil--out of sight, out of mind.    But, my conscience led me to research the issue.

I learned that mold is, on one hand, a natural feature because of the fertile microbe environment I had created, but that too much mold (and mine seemed too much) might mean over-feeding.  I was advised by the Wikipedia and blog gods to take out the biggest pieces (which I had already done) and then stir everything up again to mix food and worms and soil.  I was advised to reduce the Ph by using crushed egg shells (another omelet for breakfast?) and coffee grounds.   

Since I never eat breakfast or make coffee for myself in the weekday morning, this was a call for major lifestyle change....what changes we have to go through for progress and knowledge!

I'll try, but not in the morning because I have to catch a train at 7:17 am at Penn Station.  Wednesday, that's my day for making sure all is right with the worm composting.  Whew!

My first "harvest"

This morning, I lifted up the worm factory to look in the bottom to see how much worm compost had been created my my crawly roommates.   Using the scraper/spatula that came with it, I scraped a bowl full of material out of the bottom tray.  After watching the DVD on worm composting that came with my factory, I learned that a little of this material goes a long way and that just a spoonful should be put on plants at any one time.  Strong stuff!  

So, I have decided to conduct a science experiment.  I have two pansy pots--neither of which is doing very well--outside.   I opted to apply a little of the magical material on the sicker-looking one (on the right in this photo) and only water on the one on the left.   Each week I'll repeat the process and examine the state of the two plants after 3 weeks.  

Stay tuned for the results.

But, today a larger crisis hit my backyard as a large branch of a tree in the next patio broke off, falling on the branch below it, which then caused both to kind of crash into my back yard--barely missing my science experiment flower pots.  Science has so many variables sometimes.  Tree cutters are coming tomorrow to carefully (I hope) bring down the fallen branches.  Good thing we weren't having a Sunday brunch with the NY Times outside at the time!

Worms are Working!!!

 Hi, after several weeks of worm composting, I can state that:
1) there is no smell so far
2) the worms are easy to take care of and feed
3) the worms are hungry
4) They produce real soil!!!
Here are some photos of the soil that the worms have produced in just a few weeks since starting.  It falls through the holes at the bottom of the worm composting bin--which for me is still just 1 "floor."  I need to read more about how to determine when it's time to add another floor and entice the worms to move upstairs by putting food in the second floor.  So much to learn......  But, the message is that it works!


I'll start to put this soil in my plants outside tomorrow.  I'm expecting great things to happen...new blooms on the geraniums, new pansies to pop up.  Hmm.  Wonder if I'm expecting too much.

Looks like a few worms fell down with their soil to the basement level.  Not sure if I should relocate them or let them climb back up to find the food source.   So much to learn....

Stay tuned.