A Grateful Gardener

Even though the gardening season is coming to an end; in reflection of this Thanks Giving season, there are plenty of things a gardener should be grateful for this time of year.

1. Critters and beneficial insects that help break down litter and organic matter for great compost come spring.

2. Leafy matter, filled with nutrient rich materials - receiving it for FREE! With a little effort, we can reclaim it for beneficial use in the garden!

3. Late season flowering. Reminds me of abundant life - even in harsh conditions!

4. Fruit of Harvest: Many colours, textures, foods for us and wildlife - not to mention winter interest.

5. Colourful Fall Foliage. Just when you think the plant has given its all... A display of fall colour finishes up the growing season with a spectacular show.

Autumn Chrysanthemum Show at Centennial Greenhouse

What are you thankful for?  Wishing everyone a blessed Thanks Giving season! xo

Red Wigglers - Compost Acceleration

Now that spring is here, it's time to turn over the compost heap out back. After this long, cold winter - all the kitchen waste and leafy matter has added up.

Patience is key with achieving great compost results. Yet some want to use ways to quicken the process. Compost acceleration methods have always made me think that we tamper too much with natures own, natural methods. One definite accelerator that is completely natural: worms. Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida) to be precise. These self sustaining, perpetually reproducing, munching machines, break down compost like nothing else. Their worm castings create vermicompost; a richer, porous, mixture that will add more nutrients and microorganisms to your compost.

Here, kitchen waste takes only a few weeks to become fertile compost during the spring and summer months.

Red Wigglers can withstand freezing temperatures, but they do need a warm core to keep active to break down your refuse. A good pile of kitchen waste needs to be present over-winter, to keep these "munchers" going.

Once compost is ready to be used in the garden, don't fear taking some red wigglers with the compost. They will be happy in your garden as well. They reproduce rapidly during the warmer months, as long as they have more organic matter added, plenty of moisture and a good turn over every few weeks.

Don't forget to add a brown layer every once in a while, to help enhance the final product.

After mixing the compost, add about 1/3rd layer of brown organic matter (leaves, twigs..etc) to the top and firm down, especially in the cooler months of spring. This helps the worms to crawl back towards the centre (warmest part) of the compost pile. Continue to add your kitchen compostable waste and let the process continue.

 If you want to purchase Red Wigglers for your compost heap, you can order them from:
Worm Composting Canada

Worms in house plant soil...

"I have worms in the soil of my house plant".  On further investigation, this is not a worm, but a millipede.  When just touching them, they curl into a tight spring like circle.

Here's a closer view. Not to worry, millipede's eat decaying plant matter.  As you can see, the darker areas within the millipede are in fact soil. They help to decompose vegetation. So they are a good thing. However, when numerous are found, they may eat fine roots of the potted plant. So removal is necessary if you want to optimize plant health.

Easy to detect, as they curl immediately when touched.

House plant soil is primarily peat based and a great place for millipedes to hide and nest. There were over 15 found in the above pot - one house plant pot. This potted house plant was brought outdoors during the summer months and I believe the millipede laid an egg stash and once brought into the house, they hatched. Sometimes you find them in your house plant pots because they look to find food or a nesting area when they've made it into your home.  They have a great purpose: to accelerate the breakdown of organic plant matter, acting as "macro-decomposers."  If you find them in your house plants, remove them to your garden or compost bin. They sure are helpful creatures!