Comment on Daily Discussion Thread: Wednesday 19th February 2025
melbaboutown@aussie.zone 3 days agoOh there will be plenty of dry leaves and shredded paper, also dried or fresh grass clippings. I actually won’t have many wet vegie scraps or fresh stuff which might be an issue.
Worms sound good but I’m afraid to kill them through neglect by letting them dry out. And not enough edible vegie stuff.
I have a garden fork if that works?
Also is there a way to keep it warm enough over winter that it keeps cooking?
TheWitchofThornbury@aussie.zone 3 days ago
Garden fork is perfect! Also, drying worms doesn’t actually happen - they go into aestivation, having laid eggs. As soon as things moisten up, the eggs hatch and the adults re-activate. Yes, they are less active in winter, but they don’t actually stop - just burrow deeper which is what you want for circulation of nutrients.
Wet vegie scraps are an extra - you might need to give the compost an occasional bucket of water but seriously, the worms actually generate quite a bit of moisture themselves. I’ve never had a dryness problem that couldn’t be fixed with a bucket of water whatever the season. Worms are the gift that keeps on giving. They eat the dry stuff too - and turn it into wonderful worm castings. Just takes a bit longer.
Most compost problems are too much moisture and too little aeration. Worms fix both.
As you’ve probably figured, I’m a fan of worms. I like the way they do the heavy lifting while I kick back with a glass of wine.
melbaboutown@aussie.zone 3 days ago
I’m just scared I’m going to hurt the little beasts. Especially with a fork. I’m not sure where to get them either or about paying 🪙🤏
TheWitchofThornbury@aussie.zone 3 days ago
The fork seems to be OK - I had a few casualties when I used a spade but they seem to wriggle away from a fork or hoe.