Recent worm news from Treehugger:
International Airport Building Huge Worm Composting Facility
and
Worm Composting Becomes Big Business
I'm thrilled worm composting is catching on with larger corporations/organizations.
Inspiring news!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Old Habits Die Hard!
I can't help it! I tried to start another blog at Lilliworld, but deleted it because I thought the topic range was too broad and I couldn't focus. Then I started FindingUpDog in an effort to chronicle my yoga training and got bored with that (not yoga- just writing about my training!).
And all this time...I'm still feeding the worms and using the compost on our plants! I tried the castings on two tropical plants that are ENORMOUS now. I'm still using the worm wigwam and feeding them about three large full Tupperware containers every other week. I have a huge bin of castings drying out a little and ready to be sifted.
So maybe my adventures with worms aren't over. MAYBE. Maybe I still <3 worms. MAYBE.
And all this time...I'm still feeding the worms and using the compost on our plants! I tried the castings on two tropical plants that are ENORMOUS now. I'm still using the worm wigwam and feeding them about three large full Tupperware containers every other week. I have a huge bin of castings drying out a little and ready to be sifted.
So maybe my adventures with worms aren't over. MAYBE. Maybe I still <3 worms. MAYBE.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Almost Ready to Sign Off
Before I start blogging at Lilliworld, I wanted to update you on some of the vermicompost projects from this past season at my house:
Happy harvesting!
- Despite a freeze out in February, one of my tropical plants that was planted in 1/4 of worm casting lived through the catastrophe and is now residing happily on my deck during these tropical-like conditions in Pittsburgh- I haven't read any studies about castings providing additional protection during frosts, but you never know!
- My cherry tomato and regular tomato plants planted in 1/3 worm castings had a great showing- probably about 20 little cherry tomatoes and so far about 10 regular tomatoes (4 more still green)- research shows that castings cause plants to have higher yields.
- The other shrubs around my house got a dose of castings and have almost made it through their hottest summer yet...don't forget, the castings are able to retain more water than regular soil!
- Spanish rice (DO NOT confuse green chilies with jalapenos! BIG MISTAKE!)
- Chicken fajitas
- Breakfast wraps (scrambled egg, cheese, and tomatoes)
- Tomato sauce and marinara sauce
- Grilled chicken and steak salads
- Tomato and cucumber salad
Happy harvesting!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
You say TOMATO, I say LILLIWORLD!
Before transitioning to Lilliworld, I had to throw in one last wormy post about the tomato plants I have growing on my deck in...you guessed it...worm castings!
A great neighbor gave me three tomato and four cherry tomato plants, and I re-potted them in castings and (clay-like) dirt from under my steps. They are doing magnificently with a million little tomatoes everywhere, and any day now I will be mixing up some delish tomato & mozzarella salad.
Worms are doing well and have been getting fed like crazy with the scraps from the great selection of fresh produce around this time of year. I have stepped up my culinary endeavors by making fruit salad, pasta salad, wraps, dips, and even some souped up sauces.
How did I know the tomatoes would flourish in the worm poo? Remember this pic from the past:
Here's the corresponding post in case you forgot or are a new reader.
Oh, and one more update from the Paddle at the Point- here is a great time lapse of the record breaking attempt that shows the whole event in a minute or so. Pay special attention when the monsoon arrives, about :35 seconds in...
See you at Lilliworld!
A great neighbor gave me three tomato and four cherry tomato plants, and I re-potted them in castings and (clay-like) dirt from under my steps. They are doing magnificently with a million little tomatoes everywhere, and any day now I will be mixing up some delish tomato & mozzarella salad.
Worms are doing well and have been getting fed like crazy with the scraps from the great selection of fresh produce around this time of year. I have stepped up my culinary endeavors by making fruit salad, pasta salad, wraps, dips, and even some souped up sauces.
How did I know the tomatoes would flourish in the worm poo? Remember this pic from the past:
Here's the corresponding post in case you forgot or are a new reader.Oh, and one more update from the Paddle at the Point- here is a great time lapse of the record breaking attempt that shows the whole event in a minute or so. Pay special attention when the monsoon arrives, about :35 seconds in...
See you at Lilliworld!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Record Breakers on the Water
Mission Accomplished!Even though it will take a few weeks to be 'OFFICIAL', it seems Pittsburgh was able to break the record for most kayaks and canoes in a flotilla at one time. The estimate was 1800, but a helicopter photo will have to confirm.
Above was the line to get into the water. Here was the view from my kayak before the downpour:
One last photo before the pod broke up and paddled back to shore in a complete monsoon:
Just another record-breaking day in the 'Burgh!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Paddle at the Point
In the first of my not-necessarily-wormy topics, Paddle at the Point is June 5!
Did you ever pour over the Guinness Book of World Records to see which one you and your friends had the best chance of breaking, only to be let down when none of you could stand on one leg for 76 hours and 40 minutes?
If you live in Pittsburgh and have a canoe or kayak, you have the chance to redeem your childhood dream and get your name on the record roll call this Saturday at Point State Park, when the 'burgh tries to join over 1,200 canoes and kayaks in the world's longest flotilla.
Have a canoe or kayak? Click here to go to the Registration Page. It's f-r-double-e.
Just a landlubber who wants to get a look at what 1,200 canoes and kayaks will look like floating around the three rivers? Great views can be had from Point State Park, Station Square, or North Shore Riverfront Park.
Has anyone seen the weather for Saturday? Having just completed the Pittsburgh Half Marathon in an absolute monsoon, I have much higher hopes for the Paddle...
Also, it wouldn't hurt if the weather is above, say, 75 degrees and sunny, since myself and [insert lucky person's name here!] will be pulling this off in ocean kayaks, sitting majestically on top of the water and not-so-majestically in a little bit of the river (given the holes in the bottom).
The next time I blog, I will be a Guinness World Record holder!
Did you ever pour over the Guinness Book of World Records to see which one you and your friends had the best chance of breaking, only to be let down when none of you could stand on one leg for 76 hours and 40 minutes?
If you live in Pittsburgh and have a canoe or kayak, you have the chance to redeem your childhood dream and get your name on the record roll call this Saturday at Point State Park, when the 'burgh tries to join over 1,200 canoes and kayaks in the world's longest flotilla.
Have a canoe or kayak? Click here to go to the Registration Page. It's f-r-double-e.
Just a landlubber who wants to get a look at what 1,200 canoes and kayaks will look like floating around the three rivers? Great views can be had from Point State Park, Station Square, or North Shore Riverfront Park.
Has anyone seen the weather for Saturday? Having just completed the Pittsburgh Half Marathon in an absolute monsoon, I have much higher hopes for the Paddle...
Also, it wouldn't hurt if the weather is above, say, 75 degrees and sunny, since myself and [insert lucky person's name here!] will be pulling this off in ocean kayaks, sitting majestically on top of the water and not-so-majestically in a little bit of the river (given the holes in the bottom).
The next time I blog, I will be a Guinness World Record holder!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Lilliworm or Lilliworld?
So my wormy blogs are getting fewer and farther between. It's not that the worms aren't alive and well- because they are- and it's not that they aren't producing loads of castings- because they are- it's just that now that I have the hang of this and they do just fine with little intervention from me, I'm kinda...well...bored!
I know, I know! I bred these little critters up from one small pound, worked tirelessly on a business plan and website, had a great logo designed, and planned an entire worm empire! I bought special bags and little worm tea bags and wrote brochures and postcards! I have a huge worm colony and work area in my basement! I know! Maybe there is more to learn, but I think I know enough to know I'm kinda wormed out. My real job takes up so much time right now that worms are starting to seem like work, too.
So, Lilliworm is at a crossroad. My first idea was to change the blog name to Lilliworld so I can talk about other interesting organic-y and healthy topics, yet still include some wormy updates.
What to do, what to do?
I know, I know! I bred these little critters up from one small pound, worked tirelessly on a business plan and website, had a great logo designed, and planned an entire worm empire! I bought special bags and little worm tea bags and wrote brochures and postcards! I have a huge worm colony and work area in my basement! I know! Maybe there is more to learn, but I think I know enough to know I'm kinda wormed out. My real job takes up so much time right now that worms are starting to seem like work, too.
So, Lilliworm is at a crossroad. My first idea was to change the blog name to Lilliworld so I can talk about other interesting organic-y and healthy topics, yet still include some wormy updates.
What to do, what to do?
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