Quick worm farm
🍃Back story, we have a rolling system of worm bins. We use the worm castings in our potting mixes, to top dress pots, and for making worm tea.
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As we get towards bottom of the worm bin, any worms left move right to bottom, then we use this section to start a new farm. Kinda like using a scooby to start a new batch of kombucha
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The bottom of the last worm bin gets put in a tub, still heaps of wormies in there and th castings are full of eggs! If I'm not using it straight away, having them in a smaller tub make more manageable, in sight in mind. i can keep a check on them, and not forget them.
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We have large Tradescantia growing over th retainer rock wall. When we first moved in the gardens were extremely neglected, literally just compacted dirt, builder rubbish, and a half ass coat of rock mulch. This used to be a hot dry, very compacted corner.
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As low income renters we needed quick, cheap, easily accessible, neglectable, drought tolerant, hardy, and forgiving solutions. This Large Tradescantia ticks all the boxes. Now it has created its own micro-climate that stays somewhat cool and moist. its bug habitat that encourages and supports bird life, protecting and building soil underneath. its slowing water run off to soak in and preventing soil erosion. The shape and structure of the plant naturally retains water with its crown, and in its fleshy growth.
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This Tradescantia gets cut back mildly every three months or so, and gets harvested if I need some fleshy greens to top up/add a quick feed to a worm bin, or if I need a quick protection layer. We hard pruned like this once a yr to really bring it down in size, and see what's going on underneath.
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This plant can become a menace if used inappropriately or aloud to invade native areas. It is also very easy to remove with a shallow root system and large growth, making it easy to pull up.
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We use a basket inside to collect any papers or card board, they get hoarded as a resource for wormeries. It then gets scrunched up, or ripped up, and put in this green tub to store outside.
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Next we usually fill the green tub with water and let it soak for a day or so, but I wanted to do this set up quickly so I just hosed it once in th worm bin. Soaking also means I can use recycled sink water rather than turning on the hose.
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We 60lt bin with holes drilled in base. Throw in paper and/or cardboard. Hose well. This is th worm bedding.
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Next we add our wormies from th tub of base from the last worm bin. Gently spread out over th bedding.
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Showing structure of these plants, you can see how they easily capture any available water, even if its just dew. I make sure to cut up small to prevent it growing in th bin, and so we can really jam th most in there.
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Now the bin is full we move it to a warm, but not hot spot, and throw a lid on. Our lid has a hole for other habitat of other critters.
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Easy yes?
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