Wicking Beds

Hey Fran I don't suppose hubby could be encouraged to enjoy fishing...like I said before the compost worms can be used for fish bait. That way maybe He could be in charge of the worm farm

I think packing the straw down tightly (which I didn't do) would mean it would take longer to break down but I think sand (which won't break down) is the way to go. But please feel free to experiment.

Wow worm castings by the trailer load I'm green with envy. You would find you'd get the worms in your garden from this as it usually contains worm eggs.

Some REALLY good information there Scarecrow, which will take me some time to digest before I have more questions. The worms can be sourced right out of my garden I guess. I know how well they breed in shredded lucerne.
My granddaughter will be right into gardening. She is turning 2 next week and likes to help Mummy wiv her wittle wake. She's a real outdoors girl. Her 5 year old brother prefers his books and legos.
will discuss this all with my daughter when i see her tomorrow. might try and drag her onto the forum :-)
Cheers, jan

Actually Jan they are different worms.

The earthworms in the garden usually live deeper within the soil and eat well decomposed materials.
Compost worms, the ones I'm talking about, live in the top 30 cms of the soil all the time and eat more un-decomposed (fresher??) stuff.

Both are great garden friends but while the compost worms aren't usually kept in the garden, they are used in these wicking beds. That's why I have to be careful the birds don't steal them especially escapee chookies! They can be real killer chooks sometimes.

Those earthworms that are breeding in the lucerne can be spread around the general garden beds to improve them.

Your grand daughter sound sooo cute!