Back when I mentioned (I can’t find the link) we were now worm farmers, I tell you, my inbox was choked with enthusiastic questions about the practice*.
*Well okay, it wasn’t. But I forgive you because I’m sure it was a busy day and you’ve still got that email drafted up ready to send.
I also promised a post as to the ‘hows’ and the ‘whys’ of Vermiculture. Unfortunately, I still do not feel qualified to undertake such a responsibility-laden service.
In fact I truly believe we’re lucky to have the damn things still alive.
Put aside the fact that although they eat a lot, it takes a while for them to build up to that efficiency. So when I chucked in a watermelon core that time thinking they’d fall upon it like mushy piranhas? Bad idea. (Though it did break down in the end).
Put aside the fact that they are slightly fussy (no citrus, onion peel, meat or dairy).
No the real test is when it comes to water. Don’t get them too wet; not too dry either.
When I was having troubles with them in the beginning, luckily that weekend I ran into a worm merchant (imagine that on a business card) at the local market, and I discussed my worms’ slackness with her and she asked about the water situation.
“How do you wet them?” she asked in a Sveeedishh accent.
“I tip a glass of water over the top when the mixture’s drying out.”
“From a tank?”
“No – water from a tap.”
Well, she gave me such a look of horror that you’d think I’d told her I napalmed the buggers with “The Ride of the Valkyries” playing soundtrack in the background.
“No no, you can’t!” she said loudly. “Tap water has chlorine in it. You will kill them.”
There’s another thing about many worm farmers. They love their worms. Almost too much, if you ask me.
But perhaps I should too. They’re not cheap.
Anyway, I got home that day thinking I’d lift the lid to their home with all my new babies dead, each holding a placard up in the air spelling “M U R D E R E R!”
Luckily they were wriggling around happily. Dodged that bullet.
But the heat of this past week has hit them badly, and they are currently burrowed down into their castings, waiting for the coolness to return.
And now I have written all this I am slightly embarrassed to have devoted so much time to it, but then you did ask.*
*No, you didn’t.
