More information on the worm castings (seen above) to follow below. I spent the morning in Milwaukee presenting to a group of 50 or so Milwaukee County Master Gardeners. I recognized a lot of faces and always enjoy going to Milwaukee. I did g
et snarled up in I-94 traffic and construction which wasn't enjoyable but I was prepared for it and arrived in a timely manner. This afternoon, I caught up on some smaller projects and was surprised that we hadn't had more rain (looks like tomorrow). It looked ominous this morning and was sprinkling significantly all the way to Milwaukee. Above is a close-up of worm castings which we are now selling in 2.5 lb. bags ($5, 10% off for RBG members) as seen to the left, but are also using it in bulk out in the gardens (see our yellow sacks to the right). This natural material (also called vermicast) is rich in plant nutrients and offers a nice time-release fertilizer for plants as well. This is essentially what comes out of the back-end of the worm which can produce its own weight in castings e
very 24 hours. Aristotle said that earthworms "are nature's plows and intestines of the world." This odorless material has trace minerals and greatly increases the microbial life in the surrounding soil. Worm castings, when applied around plants or incorporated in to soil, will not burn plants and also helps with increasing both the nutrient and moisture-holding capacity of the soil. University studies have shown increased plant growth, stem thickness, root growth and even flower size and flower count increases with the use of castings. The side benefits may include reduced watering, reduction or elimination of water soluble chemicals, pesticides, inorganic fertilizers, fungicides, etc. Do more research on worm compost, vermiculture and vermicomposting and see what you think. My brother has a worm bin at home that ultimately produces some great compost for his developing garden. Below is one of many large piles of castings that we'll be using on our vegetable beds. These are larger castings that weren't bagged up (like above) and were donated by our supplier. We'll be spreading these piles out and working them in the soil soon. We're doubly pleased to be selling worm poop and using it out in the gardens.
Marv and Terry did some shopping this morning during the drizzle and came back with our spring lawn fertilizer and some heavy duty stakes that we'll use to mount the butterfly art projects. The guys spent most of the day hauling out more containers and mixing up their special potting soil blend (66% soil-less potting mix, 25% mushroom compost and 9% worm castings). I actually made up those percentages but they are probably fairly close. John fueled up the vehicles and went on a gas run which, of course, is becoming a more significant bill with each passing week. John helped Larry flag (locate) irrigation heads prior to our aeration routine (to avoid damaging the irrigation heads) and continued to pot up more caladiums. Larry worked on many projects and kept an eye on the work occuring out in the gardens. Jenny and Dave E. came in to prepare annual labels and Gary was around to continue on the laser engraver. Maury was around today and we also saw Janice, Jumbo Jim, Deb, Bev, Vern, Dick H. and I'm sure others that I missed this morning. Below are the emerging leaves and flower buds of the twinleaf (
Jeffersonia diphylla) named after Thomas Jefferson (located in the gazebo garden). These purplish leaves will become a deeply divided (hence "twinleaf"), blue-green leaf that is quite unique in appearance. The brief spring flowers are a white daisy with eight petals. Further below are over 200 boxwoods (
Buxus 'Green Velvet') and some other trees and shrubs that are one of our first deliveries (arrived Monday). These plants are destined for the North Point garden which will see the bluestone patio being installed over the next week or so. The bottom picture is more winter aconite (
Eranthis hyemalis) in full bloom near the Japanese garden. I was happy to hear that our second "Story and Stroll" program was attended by an estimated 25 adults and 3o kids. That bodes well for future programs and what a nice day to enjoy the gardens. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers for facilitating such neat programs. I hear it's going to be 70 degrees F on Sunday. Crazy!
More information on the worm castings (seen above) to follow below. I spent the morning in Milwaukee presenting to a group of 50 or so Milwaukee County Master Gardeners. I recognized a lot of faces and always enjoy going to Milwaukee. I did g
et snarled up in I-94 traffic and construction which wasn't enjoyable but I was prepared for it and arrived in a timely manner. This afternoon, I caught up on some smaller projects and was surprised that we hadn't had more rain (looks like tomorrow). It looked ominous this morning and was sprinkling significantly all the way to Milwaukee. Above is a close-up of worm castings which we are now selling in 2.5 lb. bags ($5, 10% off for RBG members) as seen to the left, but are also using it in bulk out in the gardens (see our yellow sacks to the right). This natural material (also called vermicast) is rich in plant nutrients and offers a nice time-release fertilizer for plants as well. This is essentially what comes out of the back-end of the worm which can produce its own weight in castings e
very 24 hours. Aristotle said that earthworms "are nature's plows and intestines of the world." This odorless material has trace minerals and greatly increases the microbial life in the surrounding soil. Worm castings, when applied around plants or incorporated in to soil, will not burn plants and also helps with increasing both the nutrient and moisture-holding capacity of the soil. University studies have shown increased plant growth, stem thickness, root growth and even flower size and flower count increases with the use of castings. The side benefits may include reduced watering, reduction or elimination of water soluble chemicals, pesticides, inorganic fertilizers, fungicides, etc. Do more research on worm compost, vermiculture and vermicomposting and see what you think. My brother has a worm bin at home that ultimately produces some great compost for his developing garden. Below is one of many large piles of castings that we'll be using on our vegetable beds. These are larger castings that weren't bagged up (like above) and were donated by our supplier. We'll be spreading these piles out and working them in the soil soon. We're doubly pleased to be selling worm poop and using it out in the gardens. 
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