A group to discuss the benifits of Compost, Worms and Soil and how we and our plants can learn and interact as a result of these inputs.
Location: Brisbane and beyond
Members: 33
Latest Activity: May 29, 2020
Started by Dianne Caswell. Last reply by Russell James Jan 30, 2019. 13 Replies 5 Favorites
I have found some interesting information and a supplier who is based in Gin Gin, Queensland. I am not sure how his prices compare to others but he does have a variety of species in his mix.Compost…Continue
Started by Christa. Last reply by Russell James Jan 17, 2019. 27 Replies 3 Favorites
Our intention, with the soil in our yard is to build it up and let it take care of itself eventually in a natural way. The wicking bins also need topping up annually. We are tying to make things…Continue
Started by Mark Braz. Last reply by Lissa Mar 9, 2016. 1 Reply 0 Favorites
Check this outclean water from our own air, drink yasterdays humidity, no chemicals or additivesSouth Africa are trying to stitch this up…Continue
Started by Mark Braz. Last reply by Sophie Mar 8, 2016. 5 Replies 4 Favorites
What is Aerobic Compost Tea?Aerobic worm tea is also refereed to as aerobic compost tea, and is known mostly for its ability to boost microbiological activity in soil by adding beneficial bacteria,…Continue
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Here's a lengthy video showing the way a Californian farmer (Bob Cannard) grows the food he supplies to top restaurants in his local area.
There are no details about specific weeds in this clip. Just a good brief introductions to the edible and soil benefits of weeds.
Welcome to the CSW group Sophie feel free to input or ask this is a think tank with a low water level and no pressure
While leachate can have value as a liquid fertilizer it should be treated with caution. For every story extolling the benefits of using leachate there is one lamenting the problems from having used it. If you decide you want to use the leachate, I recommend taking some extra steps.
1. Do not use it if it smells bad! It should smell like earth (and not gross) when it comes out of the worm composter. If it smells bad, pour it out on an area where it cannot harm living plants or animals like a roadway or driveway.
2. Dilute it ten parts water to one part leachate (10:1).
3. Aerate it with an air pump if available.
4. Use it outdoors on shrubs, ornamentals or flowering plants only. Do not use on plants you intend to eat.
In case your not sure!!
Unfortunately there seems to be misleading information provided by some worm bin manufacturers (and website owners). The terms “worm tea,” “worm compost tea,” “castings tea,” or “vermicompost tea” should actually refer to the liquid fertilizer created by steeping (soaking) quality castings/compost in water (often aerated) for a period of time. The problem is that many people refer to the liquid that drains out from a worm bin as “worm tea.” This is incorrect, the proper term for this is actually “leachate.”
As water passes down through a worm bin it can pick up all sorts of unstable metabolites (various products/intermediates of the decomposition process). If for example, you have some fairly anaerobic zones in your worm bin, you can end up with various phytotoxins (toxins that can harm plants and humans). Some of these toxins are created by bacteria. Every worm bin has good and bad microbes. This is perfectly fine and is even expected, provided, of course, that the good ones outnumber the bad ones. Some leachate can contain harmful pathogens because it has not been processed through the worms intestinal tracts. It is often recommended that it should not be used on garden plants you plan to serve to your friends and family.
Hi Natalie,
Maybe you should consider Black soldier fly in the worm farm. They munch a lot more scrap than the worms and much faster.
I can give you a name to order worms and he will post them to your door.
They turn up naturally (sometimes) Dianne. They compost organics at an amazing rate. The larvae tend to look like a very segmented and almost armoured little worm, about the size of your finger nail. Eventually, they turn into a black soldier fly and hopefully return to make more babies.
Sorry about that, I will have to put that in my little book, BSF. No I have not found any Black Soldier Fly, but can you please tell me a little about them and how you breed them etc, have you found some .
Always add photos using the "From my computer" option, even if you are on a mobile phone or other device.
Vetiver grass helps to stabilise soil and protects it against erosion. It can protect against pests and weeds. Vetiver is also used as animal feed. (Wiki.)
GrowVetiver is a plant nursery run by Dave & Keir Riley that harvests and grows Vetiver grass for local community applications and use. It is based in Beachmere, just north of Brisbane, Australia.
Talk to Andy on 0422 022 961. You can Pay on this link
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