Wholesale bulk prices are still high. Retail online prices are up for the third year. We are NOT RAISING our prices. Including tax halfapound of reds is $27 and a pound is $54.
Some online sellers are selling “combined stock” a mix of red wigglers (Eisenia fetidas) and nightcrawlers and sometimes Georgia (Alabama) Jumpers. That combo keeps the price down, but the quality of composting goes down.
Curious how your garden stacks up in worms?
The Farmer’s Almanac says “Dig up a section of ground 12 inches by 12 inches and about 6 to 7 inches deep. Place the soil on a tarp and count the number of worms in the sample. If you find ten or so you have a healthy population.” I think that count is high for Colorado, 1 per spadesful is the norm in my garden. Tilled fields or pesticide treated areas may have zero.
This year’s fresh castings are ready
For those who make their own seedling mix. We’ve started asparagus seeds, but melons and peppers won’t start until next month.
We’re also accumulating vermicompost, so we’ll have 1- and 2-pound cloth “teabags” for this spring. Note: worm tea does not drain from the bottom of worm bins. That is more properly called “leachate” and is only the water, soluble chemicals, and all types of bacteria that washes from the food and bedding when they’re excessively wet. Ick.