Well written post @jayna. Lots of very good information and encouragement to those who might be giving this some thought.
We started into this last summer, after being greatly inspired by learning about permaculture and "Back to Eden" gardening. It has amazed us how many different approaches there are to gardening in this manner.
We "jumped in" up to our necks and have a worm bin in our basement, as it is too cold here to leave them outside. Into this bin goes most everything from our kitchen. Anything that is a problem for them goes into our "cold" composting pile outside.
One way or another, we have stopped putting in our trash pretty much everything that in one way or another can be composted. Having only started last summer, we have yet to enjoy any ROI from our efforts, but really looking forward to Spring this year more than we have in a long time.
Looking forward to seeing what we can grow, both in quantity and especially quality!
Have a great afternoon!
Oh that’s wonderful! I love hearing these stories, @roleerob! I had to laugh when you said it’s too cold outside for the worms! But I know what you mean. They could certainly survive under ground as worms have done for eons, but they don’t continue working the soil for us in the winter months in a really cold climate. That is certainly true here in a Minnesota. I just put everything out where it will freeze for now and break down in the spring. I would sure love to see your setup. I may need to consider indoor winter composting.
Yes @jayna, there is no question they would do just fine "out there," as originally intended. To "harness" their power and put it to use in turning waste into "black gold" is really something to behold.
Vermiculture is the fancy technical term we've seen applied to it. And I will definitely be posting on it, in my "Back to Eden" gardening series. I have just completed my 2nd post in it, about all we have learned thus far about wood chips ...
Have a great day in the frigid north country! 👋
P.S. I interviewed for a job, out of college, in Hibbing around the end of February / early in March. Can't remember ... What I DO remember was how cold it was. And all the people commenting Spring was "just around the corner" since it was considerably warmer than typical winter temps. I decided that was not the place for us ... 😉
P.P.S. Ahhh, the effects of the "brilliant" EIP changes of HF
21/ 22 ...Yeah the cold does scare people off! I came from a town where it is too hot and I am much happier here. When people ask me why I tell them you can always put in more clothing layers to warm up, but there’s only so much you can take off to cool down.
Instead of vermiculture, they should call it wormiculture.