vanilla update

We're just over a week into the vanilla and thought I'd give you an update as to it's flavorful and aromatic progress. The flavor is weak at this point, but a gazillion times better than the 'other stuff' but still has 7 weeks to go we we're good! The aroma is out of this world! Really, seriously, every day when I shake it, I take the cover off and take a whiff, it's really that good. Have you made yours yet? What are you waiting for?!

Red Wiggler Update # 3

It occurred to me the other day that I hadn't checked on the red wigglers in an while, but seeing as they are very low maintenance and I wasn't smelling them I figured we were good. I was correct! I decided to pop open the cover and take a peek and this is what I saw! Black GOLD! This is a job very well done! I didn't have time to remove the castings, so I added more bedding and a bite to eat and gave them a stir and shut the cover. I've been at this for just over a year and I'll tell you it a slow process, but it's worth it and not something that requires any stress or much time. Peel a couple carrots for a salad? Do not put them in the trash, put them in the worm bin, or the pigs bucket, or give them to the chickens, or a treat for the horse or goats, or put them on the compost pile, but for crying out loud, DO NOT throw them away! Unless of course you have none of the above and if that is the case, get one or more! At a later date, when things are slower, I'll harvest the castings and post pics if you're interested, I'm thinking it'll be about the time I do some seed starting!

Red Wiggler Update # 2

A local greenhouse is offering a vermicomposting seminar this weekend and I'd love to go, but lately I've been busier than a one armed paper hanger and my schedule will not allow it. I'm pretty sure that what I'm doing is working though. I checked on them yesterday and gave them some more food, (potato peelings) and this is what I saw. I'm pretty impressed with what they've accomplished thus far, in fact I find it quite delightful! After seeing this I knew I needed to add more bedding, we we ripped up some more newspaper and tossed it in, wet it down and covered it back up. This is the easiest thing ever! In case you're new to the blog and wonder what I'm doing with a worm bin in my house I blogged about it here and here in case you've got an overwhelming desire to read about it! lol!

Red Wiggler Update

I wanted to update you on the Red Wiggler process. We started this process at the end of November and as you can see they've already got a fair start on the "black gold" as it's called. I do believe there are a few more from when we started. This has to be the easiest thing we've done on the farm!