Adventures in vermicomposting

Before n' After. These are the blossoms from my Cornus 'florida' dogwood. The top photo was taken April 16th, the bottom photo was taken yesterday, May 11th. So at my house, anyway, it takes a good month for the dogwood blossoms to go from artichoke-green to bedsheet-white.

I tried to get some Red Wiggler worms for my vermicomposter (my husband calls it "velociraptor") at Al's Garden Center today, but all they sell is earthworms. My vermicomposter wants Red Wigglers, aka Eisenia fetida. According to the instruction booklet that came with the setup, the Red Wiggler is suitable for vermicomposting because it "processes vast amounts of food, has a rapid reproduction cycle... is communal and burrows randomly through the litter layer of top soil." This worm also "love(s) darkness and hates light," so it will want to stay in the vermicomposter and burrow rather than trying to escape.

I Googled "Where to buy Red Wiggler worms in Beaverton" and came upon the Newberg Garbage and Recycling Service webpage. They have a faq page, and under their "Recycling Questions," I was able to locate "Where can I buy Red Wiggler worms and worm bins?" Hot dog...

So... click on that. The closest place looks to be March Biological Control in Sherwood. This place looks fascinating, enlightened, and they sell Red Wigglers! I called, and the gentleman said he doesn't have any in stock right now but he took my name and said he will have a booth at the Beaverton Farmers Market this Saturday. He said he will bring a pound of the little fetidas with him and I can swing by and pick them up. This works out great, because my family's been looking for a reason to visit the Farmers Market. We didn't need worms for a reason, but it gives a little extra incentive to go ahead and go.

But how neat, huh? So my velociraptor vermicomposter is ready and awaiting its new slimy family.