Cathy's Crawly Composters, Vermicomposting, Indoor composting with Red Wiggler Worms

Worm Away Newsletter

”Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.”
Sam Keen

In this issue ...

Website

Summertime News

Vol. 8, Issue 2

 

 

 

From Canadian Wildlife Federation
Cathy Nesbitt’s journey to becoming a Worm Advocate.
Read full article ...

 

 

 

Follow us on:
    View Cathy Nesbitt's profile on LinkedIn 

 

 

 

Cathy's
Laugh Club


Join us for some laughs.

 

 

 

Worm of the Month:
Bristle worm - A marine worm that can tolerate the extremely high temperatures near hydrothermal vents.

 

 

 

How do you stop The Blob from eating worms?

Give him a good slug.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something new in Networking

Green Connections
A business group with a Green attitude.

Green Connections is now incorporated as a Non-for-profit organization.

Next meetings:

  • Aug. 24, 2016 (4:30 pm)
    Location: Garden Lore
    22379 Warden Ave, Queensville, ON
    Theme: Forest Walk, Potluck Summer Gather

Guests always welcome.

www.green-connections.com

Green Connections Film Festival

Mark September 12th on your calendar for the next instalment of the Green Connections Film Festival. Doors open at 7:00 pm, film starts at 7:30.

Our Next presentation:
First Earth

An audiovisual manifesto filmed over the course of 4 years and 4 continents, FIRST EARTH makes the case that earthen homes are the healthiest housing in the world; and that since it still takes a village to raise a healthy child, it is incumbent upon us to transform our suburban sprawl into eco-villages, a new North American dream.

Join us for this special presentation.

When:
Mon Sep 12. 7:00pm
Where:
Sharon-Hope United Church
18648 Leslie St. Sharon, ON

 

 

 

 

Random Pictures

Laughter Yoga Stretch.

Visit our Photo/Video Galleries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you get if you cross a glow worm with a python?

A 15 foot strip light that can strangle you to death!

 

 

 

Featured Videos
of the month:

Nature Is Speaking

A visually stunning reminder of who we are dealing with.

Click here to see video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprouting Beans

Looking for a little variety in your sprouting beans?

Crimson, French, Small & Large lentils. Fenugreek, Chickpea, Speckled Pea and of course the main stay, Mung beans are all now available to spice up your taste buds.

Come to Cathyssprouters.com to find out more.

 

 

 

 

 

Save your money!

Want/need worms? Want to save the shipping?
Why not attend one of our upcoming events and pick up your worms at the same time. Come and see the worms up close and personal.

We often sell out at events, pre-orders will guarantee you can what you want.

To see when we will be coming to an event near you please visit our events page.

 

 

 

Jimi Hendrix - An innovative guitarist whose solos often feature creative use of feedback
Feedback

So what do you think about the Worm Away Newsletter?

Have we wormed our way into your heart?


Feedback Form

We are looking for input for upcoming newsletters. Send us your comments, suggestions, stories and pictures. Please let us know of any wormy topics you would like to see covered here.

 

Please tell us what you think.
Follow this link to Feedback form.

For me this is the best video on YouTube (Vermicomposting 101) for learning just what it takes to make a vermicomposting bin. I've watched dozens of them that are so over done, cheesy, or just bad. This is quite good.

Cody T

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    View Cathy Nesbitt's profile on LinkedIn 

 

 

 

 

Happy Canada Day

Welcome to Summer

Top 5 Summer Worm Bin Tips.

The mercury is climbing and the snow is but a distant memory. Buds have exploded in a symphony of colour and the insects are back. And boy, are they hungry. Of course all this means is that we are once again in the throes of summer. Not quite the dog days yet, but they are coming.

With consistent warm temperatures many people are considering bringing their worm bins outside for the summer. Although if you ask the worms they would tell you that they prefer to stay indoors year-round.

If you do bring your worms outdoors this year here are 5 tips that will help:

 

  • Avoid direct sunlight. A shady location is better. The best operating temperature for a worm bin is between 15 - 28 degrees Celsius (60 - 80 Fahrenheit). When temps get above 28 your Red Wigglers may get a bit uncomfortable. They will still continue to convert organics to castings but they will be operating at a much slower pace.
  • Keep your worm bin moist. Outdoor bins have a tendancy to dry out faster. Make sure your bin is moist enough for the worms. You want your bedding to be the consistency of a wrung-out sponge.
  • Watch out for the bugs. They're are many more insects outside than there are indoors. Most bugs and critters will ignore your bin but keep an eye peeled for the dreaded centipede. Centipedes will not harm the worms but they absolutely love worm eggs. One of these multi-legged creatures can wipe out a whole generation of worms. Sow bugs, beatles and spiders may be okay in an outdoor bin but you probably don't want them indoors.
  • Beware the rain. If there are holes in the lid of your bin make sure you have a cover that will block the rain from flooding out your bin. One of the reasons we love the Worm Chalet is the sloped roof with no holes in the roof. Many other systems have a vented roof which lets rainwater flow through.
  • Find a good home. To avoid some of the more curious nocturnal animals out there (yes I'm talking about you Mr. Raccoon.) a good option is to find a home for your bin in a garage or shed. In our experience raccoons generally ignore worm bins. However, if hungry enough (or curious enough) they will go through a worm bin.

Teachers. Did you know that Summer is a great time to apply for funding. Apply now and start your Vermiculture program at the beginning of the school year. Students will experience the entire vermicomposting cycle, from setup to harvest, throughout the school year. A worm bin in the classroom offers cross-curicular learning opportunities.

Follow this link for more info on how to get funding for your school project.


 

To order please call Cathy's Crawly Composters at 1-888-775-9495. Operators are standing by (not really, but we do have an answering machine).

 

 

 

Some summer fun for the kids this summer.

Why not build a garden?

Toronto Urban Growers
School Gardens and Growing With Kids

Toronto Urban Growers (TUG) is a group passionate about making it possible to grow healthy produce within modern urban landscapes. To that end TUG has compiled a list with helpful links to a number of Individuals, Companies and City Departments that can help schools build their own garden oasis and develop the next generation of Urban Farmers.

The following organizations have great examples of children’s garden programming, and many have free online resources to help you with your own garden.

  • City of Toronto Children’s Eco Programs
    Camps, school visits, a children’s garden, teaching kitchen and more! www.childrensecoprograms.ca
  • Black Creek Community Farm
    Offers farm camps, school visits and youth internship programs. www.blackcreekfarm.ca/kids-and-youth/
  • Evergreen
    Evergreen’s programs include Greening School Grounds, Outdoor Learning & Play, Youth Leadership and Day Camps http://www.evergreen.ca/our-impact/children/ Online resources include school grounds and packages for teachers www.evergreen.ca/get-involved/resources/
  • FoodShare
    FoodShare’s programs page has a number of tools for anyone interested in getting kids active in the garden. foodshare.net/programs/
  • Garden Jane
    Offers activities at schools, farmer’s markets, festivals and events, including special programs for babies, toddlers and parents. They design activities to meet special needs. Also they offer garden design and curriculum-linked activities for schools, day cares and organizations. www.gardenjane.com
  • Green Thumbs Growing Kids
    Green Thumbs Growing Kids teaches urban children, youth and families how to grow and use fresh, nutritious foods in an environmentally sustainable and socially just manner. Hands-on programs are on school and park lands in the east downtown core. Their website contains a toolkit with lesson plans for garden-based learning. http://greenthumbsto.org/
  • The Spiral Garden
    The Spiral Garden is an arts and nature camp program for kids of all abilities at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. www.hollandbloorview.ca
  • The Stop Community Food Centre
    The Stop Community Food Centre runs school visits and after school programs focused on many aspects of healthy, sustainable food. You can download an online handbook for grades 3 and 5. www.thestop.org/
  • Seed to Table
    Seed to Table's Instars is an organization in the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood that promotes healthy eating, and a healthy environment. Our members meet up every week to cook healthy meals, work in the Danzig garden and plan events for our program. seed-table
  • Castle Compost
    Children’s fun & factual illustrated adventure books to help teach composting. www.castlecompost.com.
  • Cathy’s Crawly Composters
    Cathy’s Crawly Composters is an environmentally driven worm composting business. We supply red wiggler worms, bins, castings, books and accessories. Everything needed to get started. We offer inspirational classroom workshops and worm birthday parties. Worms in the class offer a tremendous learning opportunity! www.cathyscomposters.com/
  • Backyard Urban Farming Company (BUFCO)
    BUFCO installs raised beds and runs gardening programs for schools. www.bufco.ca/
  • USC Canada
    USC Canada has educational resources for primary grades on seed saving. http://usc-canada.org/

 

 

Mysterious giant mounds found in South American wetlands have long puzzled onlookers. But now scientists finally know what the gigantic mounds are mostly made of:

Worm Poo.

A new study on the mounds, which are called surales, marks the first ever research to describe their formation.

The scientists also found that surales form when earthworms feed in shallowly flooded soils. As the worms release vermicast, they form towers above water level. As each earthworm returns to the same spot to feed and poo, the towers become mounds that can get up to 16 feet in diameter!

"The fact we know they were created by earthworms across the seasonally flooded savannahs of South America will certainly change how we think about human verses naturally-built landscapes in the region," José Iriarte from the University of Exeter's Archaeology Department said in a press release.

Towers of earthworm poo aren’t just architectural wonders: They also have an important role in ecology by altering soil moisture, which can affect the types of plants that can grow, adds Lavelle, who has studied earthworms for four decades but wasn't involved in the new study.

“It is a very important work that has great meaning with regards to the view we have on soils and their management,” he says.

The Local Poop

In Ontario, you may run across local mounds of worm poo but they rarely get bigger than 2" - 3".

Piles of worm castings (worm poo) can be found in most parks, forests and possible your backyard. Look for what seem to be small balls of earth piled together beside a small hole. The hole is where the worms live. These are usually Nightcrawler homes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

Want/need worms? Want to save the shipping? Why not attend one of our upcoming events ... come and see the worms up close and personal. We often sell out at events, pre-orders will guarantee you can get what you want.

Date: July 9, 2016
Event: Aurora Farmers' Market & Artisan Fair
Location: Aurora Town Park
49 Wells Street, Aurora, ON

The Aurora Farmers' Market offers a wide selection of produce from local farmers, delicious food vendors, and beautiful creations by talented Artisans. On Special Event days, they offer free music for everyone’s enjoyment and crafts for children. The Market is open Saturdays (rain or shine), June through Oct. from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Stop by the Cathy's Crawly Composters booth to talk to Cathy and see what all the excitement is about Sprouts and our new Sprout Grower.

Date: July 10, 2016
Event: LifeStock Food & Farm Festival
Location: Wholearth Farmstudio
143 Concession Rd 14 E, Hastings, ON

Bring friends and family for a fun day of life, love and learning with live music, great food, talks and walks at Wholearth Farmstudio in Northumberland County. For many, the “stock” of a good life is made up of wholesome ingredients like fresh farm food, family, friends, health and community. Good work and creative expression round out the wellness wish list, so come enjoy! Be sure to check out Cathy's presentation: The Wonder of Worms and the Simplicity of Sprouts.

Date: July 27, 2016
Event: Inglewood Farmers' Market
Location: Inglewood Park
15551 McLaughlin Road, Inglewood, ON

The Inglewood Farmers' Market began in the 2008, and has evolved into a community-gathering place that is well known as an exceptional location to sample and shop for local foods. Stop by the Cathy's Crawly Composters booth to talk to Cathy and see what all the excitement is about Sprouts and our new Sprout Grower.

Date: July 31 - August 1, 2016
Event: The Georgian Homesteading & Survival Show 2016
Location: Markdale Arena
75 Walker St, Markdale, ON

Farm, Homesteading, Solar, Survival, Sustainability. Get information on what it takes to be self sustainable. This year’s show will be bigger and better than last years show. With more vendors and some great presentations by various experts in the field of homesteading, self sustainability, preparedness and much much more. Be sure to check out Cathy's presentation: The Wonder of Worms and the Simplicity of Sprouts.

Date: August 10, 2016
Event: Worm Bin Composting
Location: Thornhill Community Centre
7755 Bayview Ave. Markham, ON

David Allanson Jones was a storekeeper and postmaster who settled in the small West Gwillimbury community of Clarksville during the 1860's. Across Europe and North America, David A. Jones became known as the Bee King of the Nineteenth Century. In 1875, Clarksville was renamed Bee Town in his honour. Eventually the spelling was changed to the short British form, Beeton. The quaint Victorian Main Street will be lined with over 170 vendors selling items for the home, garden and you! Snap up that perfect vintage table at our Antique Alley, purchase an Alpaca sweater at our International Bazaar, or a one-of-a-kind piece of art at the SSAC Artist & Artisan Marketplace. Visit the Cathy's Crawly Composters booth and find out what's new with the worms and sprouters.

Date: August 13, 2016
Event: Aurora Farmers' Market & Artisan Fair
Location: Aurora Town Park
49 Wells Street, Aurora, ON

The Aurora Farmers' Market offers a wide selection of produce from local farmers, delicious food vendors, and beautiful creations by talented Artisans. On Special Event days, they offer free music for everyone’s enjoyment and crafts for children. The Market is open Saturdays (rain or shine), June through Oct. from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Stop by the Cathy's Crawly Composters booth to talk to Cathy and see what all the excitement is about Sprouts and our new Sprout Grower.

Date: August 31, 2016
Event: Inglewood Farmers' Market
Location: Inglewood Park
15551 McLaughlin Road, Inglewood, ON

The Inglewood Farmers' Market began in the 2008, and has evolved into a community-gathering place that is well known as an exceptional location to sample and shop for local foods. Stop by the Cathy's Crawly Composters booth to talk to Cathy and see what all the excitement is about Sprouts and our new Sprout Grower.

For a full listing and directions to all events please visit our website.

 

 

Compost Stories

So I was poking around in the compost pile the other day ...

So I was poking around in the compost pile the other day and I came across a beautiful Black Walnut seed that had started to grow. The root system had already developed into a healthy mass stretching down into the soil, hungry for some needed nutrients. The stem had broken free of the shell and was shooting up toward the sun. Greedy for some photons and ready to start the photosynthesis dance converting carbon into oxygen.

We already have a beautiful Black Walnut on our property. No doubt this seed was the progeny of our tree. The idea of growing one of these beautiful giant trees from seed was something I've always wanted to do. So a plan was formed. We'd start this treeling off in a large container and worry about a permanent location later.

A large planter was dug out of the back of the garage and filled part way with rich soil from the garden. The remainder was topped off with a liberal dose of worm castings. The baby Black Walnut was gently nestled into soil/compost mix and sprinkled with some fresh rain-barrel water. We then placed the planter in a prominent sunny location and left it to settle in.

We left our new tree-ling with a sense of anticipation and feeling of pride in a job well done. It was now packed in a nutrient rich bedding and would have a better opportunity to grow into a giant of the neighbourhood. In the future our new Black Walnut tree be home to countless birds and squirrels and would provide us with cool refreshing shade for years to come.

We went to bed that night content with the idea that we were setting a course for decades to come. We were going to watch that tree grow into a grand specimen.

Isn't it funny how sometimes the
universe has other plans.

The next morning we grabbed a coffee, grabbed a watering can and went down to the garden to see how our new tree sprout was doing.

Gone! All that was left in the planter was fresh soil and an even fresher hole. Some scallywag of a squirrel or chipmunk had taken my Walnut sprout and either made a great meal of it or decided it needed to be buried somewhere else.

Whatever the outcome there is one thing I know. There will always be an empty spot in our backyard that will be haunted with the potential of what could have been.

 

 


 

Cover of Bradford Times

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the News

Print

  • Sprouting, How and Why
    By Cathy Nesbitt for Apsley Backroads.

    Is there really a global food shortage? Some sources claim that we are in eminent danger of running out of food unless we embrace the practice of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to produce more abundant crops. Others suggest organic is the way to go and if we stop harming the soil with chemical fertilizers, our farms will produce more food naturally. The truth is that there is actually more than enough food to feed the world. The problem is getting nutrient rich food to where it is most needed.
    Read article ...
  • This Worm Has Turned - Local Hero Series
    By Canadian Wildlife

    Cathy Nesbitt of Bradford, Ont., put aside a long-standing fear of worms in 2002 and opened Cathy’s Crawly Composters, a business to support vermiculture. Worms are superb at turning organic waste into high-quality compost — “black gold,” as Nesbitt calls it. And there’s no one like her when it comes to promoting its value.
    Read article ...

The Blog-O-Sphere

  • Cathy Nesbitt AKA Cathy Crawly Laughing Bean Queen
    GOTresearch

    Over the last 14 years, from being afraid of worms to Local Hero recognized by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Cathy Nesbitt has grown as an entrepreneur. Cathy’s new title incorporates all her specialties: Cathy Crawly Laughing Bean Queen. With both hands wrist deep in worm chalets…she also grows sprouts and beans (certified organic, of course). Cathy’s character is vibrant and full of laughter. Her latest gig teaches us how to release tension through laughter yoga.
    Read post ...

     

 

For all the wormy news please visit our website.

 

 

Worms at the cottage

Are the worms right for your cottage?

Do you have a cottage? Are you on the watershed? You may need worms. Did you know that adding worms to your outhouse or pit toilet can increase its efficiency.

Many cottagers are not happy campers. Why? Because they have had to close down their backyard composters for fear of attracting bears. We have a solution for you. Bring your composting indoors. Consider composting inside the cottage with worms! You can still carry on composting and you will not tempt the bears. These wonderful worms will even continue their job of turning your organic waste into castings while you wile away your time back in the city.

 

Cathy's Crawly Composters

Bradford, Ontario
Local: (905) 775-9495
Toll Free: 1-888-775-9495
email us at: cathy@cathyscomposters.com

To find out more about Cathy's Crawly Composters visit our website: www.cathyscomposters.com

 

Copyright © 2016 by Cathy's Crawly Composters - All Rights Reserved.