Urban Gardeners

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Comment by Colleen Vanderlinden on December 10, 2009 at 3:10pm

Hi Rachel! It's not doomed. If you add a good layer of dry shredded newspaper or cardboard to the bottom (you'll have to shift stuff around a little) that will go a long way toward soaking up the excess moisture -- most likely liquid is collecting in the bottom of the bin. Then, after that, mix some dry shredded newspaper in with the rest of the contents of the bin. It will soak up the excess liquid, and the smell will go away soon. If you can dump the whole thing out, that would be even better because then you could add a good dry layer at the bottom, then layer your wet worm bin contents with the dry paper. But just mixing it in will take care of it, too :-) Good luck!

Comment by Shannon Connelly on December 10, 2009 at 2:22pm

Hi Rachel. I don't think it's doomed. Can you try adding more dry bedding, like dry shredded newspaper? And maybe drilling a few more ventilation holes?

Comment by Rachel Levi on December 10, 2009 at 2:12pm

Hi all. Just checked in with my worm bin today. I've had it going for over a year with no problems. But today, the entire business seemed very wet, muddy rather than chocolate cake-y. And it has a slight, though not intense methane smell, so some of it has gone anaerobic. But the worms seem okay, still wriggling. By the way, my bin is a big plastic rubbermade container with some holes cut in the bottom and sides. Does anyone have any suggestions? is my bin doomed?

Comment by Bonnie on May 2, 2009 at 12:34pm

I fight aphids with a little dish soap. Mix a couple drops with water in a spray bottle and douse the leaves every couple of days until the bugs go away. Also watch for ants. They always seem to come in pairs with aphids in my area. If you know any smokers, you can also soak cigarette butts in some water and spray with that--the nicotine will poison them. My dad always does that in his garden and it works pretty well. Hope this helps!

Comment by tifanie chaney on May 2, 2009 at 12:21pm

thanks!

Comment by tifanie chaney on May 2, 2009 at 12:21pm

ok. i really need to get one of those ladybug houses. ;)

Comment by Heather Christensen-Branson on May 2, 2009 at 12:11pm

You could try ladybugs to combat the aphids. I know a lot of strawberry farmers who use them

Comment by tifanie chaney on May 2, 2009 at 12:05pm

Hi, I am growing everything in containers as well. The tomatoes and the pumpkins always seem to do well, but aphids attack many of the other things I plant, even mint. Sigh. I've started a globe artichoke as well, but know very little about them, so I'm not really sure what to look for. Also, asparagus, but that seems to be getting attacked by three or four different bugs. Also, does anyone know anything about kiwis? I'm trying to grow them and they seem very slow so far. Fingers crossed though!

Comment by Stephanie on May 2, 2009 at 10:47am

So I am starting a different kind of garden this. year. For the first time in many years I have no yard. So everything is in pots. I have just started to harden my tomato, basil, and chive plants grown from seed on my kitchen window sill. Just planted the globe artichoke after the same. Next step will be a small planting box - I'm building it and a potato box. If anyone out there has any helpful hints or suggestions, bring it in! Photos soon. YAY!

Comment by Cornelia on March 27, 2009 at 11:08am

A guest blog post on The Slow Cook today:
"Nat West, of Portland, Oregon, got tired of waiting for a community garden plot. So he went to Google's satellite map, located a vacant lot near his home and turned it into his own CSA urban farm." ...continued

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