The only local source within 100 miles of me with EWC is wiggle worm brand...I know these are ok but not superior castings as they are merely a "broker" of castings. My question is if I used WW in my soil, but I buy a bag online of some top notch stuff for inoculation by way of drench would I be in the clear...I'm also going to be introducing BiM's for diversity...what say ye??
I have found a brand called nature solution at one store..just says all organic castings and they are quite a bit more pricey...hmm
I manufacture and sell top quality castings. Visit my website to see the lab report on the top notch biologics. As far as I've seen, nobody had better. The reason mine are so much better is because I don't feed peat and grain mix. I feed finished compost which is teeming w microbes. Most EWCs have no predatory nematodes. Mine do - which means built in pest control for soil dwelling insects. I sell through amazon but send me an email if you'd like more options. I can package any size you need. These things are unbelievable - I promise you won't be disappointed www.wemakeitflourish.com Find the best EWCs at www.wemakeitflourish.com
Maximum grow hydroponic shop in Indy has the natures choice EWC but I will have to have them order it for me so no shipping associated..it's $30 for 20# ...I just have an hour drive to get it...roadtrippin!
20# is not a whole lot of EWC, especially if wet still. And that seems a bit high in price, at least compared to what I have found. Have you looked on craigslist or in the yellow pages? I think earth worm companies are more common than we may think and you may have something close by. I know I have found a few that are local that I had no clue about.
I've learned that with EWC's, you have to think a little outside the box on where to find them. Hydro and garden stores are usually not the best source, even if they sell other high quality organic products. Here's what I found with a quick google skim. Good luck. http://indytilth.org/Links/Indianapolis%20and%20online%20resources%20for%20COMPOSTING.pdf "Local compost (finished) Free Southside Landfill, 2577 S. Kentucky Avenue, 317.247.6808 (http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DPW/Residential/Trash/Leaf+Collection.htm) Purchase Tiffany Lawn & Garden http://www.tiffanylawnandgarden.com/index.php, 317â€228â€4900 Indiana Mulch & Stone http://www.indianamulch.com/index.html Greencycle http://www.greencycle.net/GCIndiana/INHome.html" https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sophia-Organic/134360023301200?sk=page_map http://www.in.gov/idem/recycle/files/composting_vermiculture_branchville_program.pdf
BoW, your google-fu is strong What *I* would do is first check out BoW's links. If no joy there, I would snag the easiest and cheapest EWC you can locally, for this one time mix. I would then spend $50 (or less) and get a rubbermaid worm bin going. All you need are 2-18 gallon bins (under $20 for both), 1lb of red wrigglers ($25 or so), and a drill with a 1/8" bit. For bedding, that free finished compost that BoW linked to looks good. In 3 months or so you have excellent vermicompost for your next batch of mix and batches that follow. Do what you have to do to get this batch going, but by the next batch you should have your own supply Wet
Thanks Beanus! I will def be checking into that free bedding and also greencycle's compost finished for $24/cu yrd... Wet- I have to do some reading on vermicompost but I absolutely am going to start a couple bins...I'm trying to figure out my humid component of this soil...I read a suggestion of 75/25 is that 75 compost as in the compost is more important than castings or do I have it backward? I feel stupid for asking all these question because I do my reading..(around 2-3 hrs a day..my wife hates me haha) it's just a lot to get my head around..I have learned a ton, now just have to put the knowledge to use...I've been doing bottles nutes/bag soil for years so I'm not new but feel like a newb all over.
Wet- are u saying that if I make the batch now with WW, while starting compost bins, I should trash the batch I just made after this cycle, or is there anyway to just re amend with the better humus later?
Combining compost and EWC maximizes microbial diversity and creates optimum soil structure that helps with proper air exchange, drainage and water retention (soil tilth).
I think it was u that suggested it Waktoo? I had it in my head already to do 50/50 as I'm not sure which component is more important..soo were u saying 75% compost 25% EWC...
You got it... I learned that little tidbit recently while reading Vermiculture Technology by Dr. Clive Edwards. I think the study cited as an example was actually 80/20 compost/EWC. But if it means anything to you, 75/25 are the ratios LD uses.
Sweet!! Beanus put me on a compost source locally so that's awesome!! Really appreciate the help from everyone!
Can't wait to see how much more terpene production I can get out of a blue cheese cut I've had for a few years...mmm it's a super strong blueberry leaning pheno....and this Grape Ox i picked up is a trich producing machine...this soil I believe will take me to the next level! Think I may have to make my first journal when I get this whipped up.
Just re amend with the good stuff later, no need to trash a batch. Don't overthink the 80/20 or 75/25 bit too much, it's easy just to eyeball. For example, in 1cf, your humic component ends up around 2.5 gallons (30%). That 75/25 ratio is of that 2.5 gallons, so 75/25 or 80/20 is just a few handfuls in either direction. Go with what looks good to you. Wet
wiggle worm has served me well,, might i recap the harvests ive had this year already? i know its early for harvesting a photo outdoors but it really did flower thru the summer and the buds got HUGE fat and dense. mind the other was an auto, 75 grams outdoors on her...