Soil Testing

Interested in soil testing for your garden or community garden? Here is an interesting article of why you should have your soil tested and the money you could save on investing a small amount in money in a simple test. Last year we had 2 tests done by Calmar in Westerville, Ohio for under $50.

When working in a community garden is really important to know the history of the soil, so you know what might be in the soil or dumped there before. tests are a cost effective way to find out how healthy it really is!

Workshops for summer 2010

Hard to believe summer is almost here! We have updated our workshop list for this summer. If you would like to set up a community composting workshop let us know, we can come and share about worm composting and traditional composting.

We love to help you heal the earth!

Also, Come see us at the Eco Chic Craftacular this weekend! May 22-23 rain or shine!

another lettuce recall

This should be another little reminder, that it is worth it to start with a small vegetable garden in your backyard. However so small or large. It's only getting worse until they realize we need change!

Worm Tea

Many people ask us what IS Worm Tea?

Worm Tea is when you put worm castings in a tea bag or straight in water and let it sit for 4 hours to 24 hours, this allows the castings to oxygenate. The extra oxygen causes a bloom of the good bacteria, plus the added benefit of nitrogen, phosphate, calcium, magnesium and potash. The liquid that drains out of a worm composting bin is actually called leachate because it is the result of liquid that leaches through the castings or compost bin.

In these two mason jars, I filled them with water, then put potting soil on the left and worm castings on the right. I let them sit over night. Look at the amazing difference. The left side is almost clear. the right is full of good stuff! all that nitrogen, phosphate, calcium, and magnesium!

I am going to take some samples to a soil tester this winter so I can tell you exactly what is in there. we are also planning some more comparison studies to stress the importance and value of these castings!

8 reasons why worm castings are important!

1. a natural repellent for scale, mites, white flies, and aphids
2. natural fungicide in soil and on plant surfaces
3. increase in plant stem size and foliage
   acts as a soil conditioner
4. will not burn plants
5. creates healthy soil for healthy plants
6. aides in the creation of colloidal humus
7. grows healthier fruits and vegetables than those treated with chemical fertilizers
   improves water retention in soil
8. reduces the amount of waste going to the landfill! Always good!
   

Did you know?...

« Worm Castings and Tea will out-perform chemical fertilizer and has been shown to increase plant size and yield.
« Plants grown in soil treated with Worm Castings and Tea are healthier. Why? This is because of the symbiotic relationship between the plant and the microbes in the root zone. Plants feed the microbes and the microbes produce or make available all of the food and medicine the plant needs to flourish.
« Worm Castings and Tea used as a fertilizer for potting soil will suppress airborne pathogenic fungi that can eagerly infect sterile potting medium. The organisms in Worm Tea also produce hormones, vitamins, nutrients, enzymes, amino acids and minerals needed by seedling cuttings and young plants.

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