Worms use scraps from dorms to make food (Ann Arbor)

[struggle4progress]

By MARTY HAIR
Detroit Free Press

DETROIT -- <snip>

Redworms get vegetable scraps left over from food preparation at five University of Michigan dorms as well as coffee grounds from two coffee shops.

The worms, in collaboration with soil microorganisms, break down the scraps and produce nutrient-rich castings.

Students then use those castings to nourish the lettuces, basil, chard, beets, tomatoes, melons and peppers they raise. <snip>

This closed-loop system has been such a hit in its first season that organizers are planning more gardens and food drop-off sites. <snip>

http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2005/11/12/living.20051112-sbt-MICH-D9-Worms_use_scraps.sto

[NJCher]

1. I do this

I have four worm compost bins going at all times. Worm castings are the creme de la creme' of compost, second only to bat guano.

When people tour my gardens, they always ask what I feed my plants because everything is super-sized. I have morning glory leaves the size of a man's palm.




Cher

[midnight armadillo]

3. Why is bat guano so good?

My blueberries (planted at my mother-in-law's - I'm a renter ;-)) are growing on turkey manure. They were put in mid-summer and I expect grat growth next year.

[No Exit]

2. I saved the instructions they printed. Thanks!! n/t