Worm tubes for the garden

[ChanellG]

I have a compost bin going in my yard, actually, I usually have two. When the first one is full, I start using the second one. By the time that one is full, the first one is ready to be sifted and used in the garden. Lately though, I have been thinking about starting a worm tube. It doesn't take up much space, and if I don't bury it, I can harvest the worm tea to use in the garden. It seems a lot simpler and more economical than making or buying worm bins.

Have any of you tried worm tubes in your gardens?

For those who have no idea what I am talking about...

Here's a link for that second one: http://midwestpermaculture.com/2012/11/how-to-build-a-worm-tower/

 

[R.R.]

It sounds like a great idea. I might try this in one of my elevated beds.

 

[claudine]

This is interesting.
I hate worms, so I'd be much happier if they lived in a tube instead of taking over all the soil in the garden area

 

[ChanellG]

It sounds like a great idea. I might try this in one of my elevated beds.

Look at this setup:

I am thinking of doing this with rubbermaid tubs. I want to set up a temporary site with large bins in an area where I plan to eventually put in a patio slab.

This is interesting.
I hate worms, so I'd be much happier if they lived in a tube instead of taking over all the soil in the garden area

Claudine, worms are very important to the health of the soil in the garden. They aerate the soil and they leave behind castings that feed your plants and help them grow better.

 

[R.R.]

Nice set up, ChanellG. For some reason, I would have thought of placing the tubes in the middle, so it could benefit both sides. What do you think?

 

[ChanellG]

Nice set up, ChanellG. For some reason, I would have thought of placing the tubes in the middle, so it could benefit both sides. What do you think?

I think the tubes in the middle wouldn't give you as much coverage, and they would be in the way of the plants. In the corners like this you can change things around as much as needed without really disturbing the tubes. If you used a container, I could see putting it in the center depending on size, but I think the corner placement is better unless you're only using one tube.

 

[R.R.]

I didn't think about disturbing the plants. You have a point

 

[ChanellG]

I didn't think about disturbing the plants. You have a point

Don't forget about the coverage/benefit of using multiple tubes in each corner. Worms can only process so much at once so having multiple tubes keeps the scraps from piling up and you'll get more beneficial coverage of aeration and castings under the soil.

 

[claudine]

Claudine, worms are very important to the health of the soil in the garden. They aerate the soil and they leave behind castings that feed your plants and help them grow better.

Yes, I know, but it doesn't change the fact that they completely creep me out. They're so disgusting! I wish they were green and fluffy, so I could like them more

 

[ChanellG]

Yes, I know, but it doesn't change the fact that they completely creep me out. They're so disgusting! I wish they were green and fluffy, so I could like them more

If worms were green and fluffy they would be the harmful kind, like cabbage loopers or tomato hornworms and I would tell you that you were right to run away from them and hide! Ask @zigs about that enormous hornworm on my tomato plant year before last - when I posted a picture he advised to run for my life, lol. And he is not afraid of anything in the garden!

 

[zigs]

I did you know

Not quite true, I was afraid of whatever growled at me in the dark the other night I carry a torch when I go in the garden at night now.

 

[claudine]

Haha
When I mentioned a green and fluffy worm, I was imagining something really cute, with big eyes, long lashes and smiling mouth. It would look like a funny stuffed toy

 

[ChanellG]

@claudine, there is one green worm you'd like, it's a butterfly caterpillar and it doesn't look real!

Those are fake eyes on the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar. Looks like it's from a cartoon!


@zigs, what kind of growl? Mean dog or big jungle cat?

 

[zigs]

It certainly wasn't a pussy cat, but, as my mate pointed out, I probably startled the fox when I opened the car door, he's always sneaking around the garden

Still wary about Panthers though, apparently they only attach from behind

 

[ChanellG]

It certainly wasn't a pussy cat, but, as my mate pointed out, I probably startled the fox when I opened the car door, he's always sneaking around the garden

Still wary about Panthers though, apparently they only attach from behind

How often is someone attacked by a fox over there? I've only ever seen one in person, and only a glimpse at that. Was driving onto a military base in the northern part of the state a while back.