I heard comfrey and stinging nettle are great bedding for worm bins, though I don't think any comfrey grows around here in southern California. I've seen stinging nettle, but in very small patches, and I went to the place where it used to grow in the wild and I didn't see any. Are there any other good bedding materials that can be collected in the wild, here in SoCal? (In the mountains I've collected fallen oak leaves, those do take forever to break down, but they kinda mixed in with the soil and were sharp, and just seemed messy. Was wondering if there's anything better. Trying to keep it as natural as possible, and try to incorporate local bacterial life, I don't want to use newspapers, cardboard, etc).
When I was keeping worms, I used sycamore leaves which are abundant here in SoCal in addition to the coastal oaks, but sycamore leaves are much larger and break down faster. Damn bro those oak leaves are sharp, lol. Plus oak leaves are high in lignin and tannins which makes them tough and slows decomposition. As a general rule you'd shred leaves before adding them to increase surface area and uniformity. Happy farming
I find copious amounts of dried out aged cow pies "in the wild" and they work great. Confirm that they are uncontaminated by persistent vermicide/herbicide before use. Soak and drain. Manure "tea" works as a gentle fertilizer.
try these: American agave (Agave americana var. striata) The plant: A striking architectural accent, this variegated American agave offers glaucous blue-gray, swordlike leaves irregularly striped in creamy white. The rigid foliage has jagged leaf margins. American agave grows to six feet tall and as wide. How to use it: Excellent for low-water gardens and containers. Cultivation: American agave does well in full to partial sun and average to dry soil. Note: This plant has spines or sharp edges so should be handled with care. Drought tolerant. Hardy in USDA Zones 8 to 10b. Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) The plant: A late-season bloomer, Mexican bush sage produces velvety purple to purple-and-white flowers. The plant grows up to two to three feet tall and as wide and has slightly fuzzy foliage. Lasts until frost. Hummingbirds and butterflies love this sage. How to use it: Place in the middle to the back of a perennial border, in containers, or as a cut flower. Cultivation: Mexican bush sage does best in full sun but can tolerate some afternoon shade. Cut back in midsummer to keep plants looking tidy. Drought tolerant. Hardy in USDA Zones 8 to 10. Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) The plant: Pentas are grown as a summer annual in most climates and as a perennial or shrub in warmer climates. Clusters of tubular, star-shaped flowers rise above clean, green foliage. Flowers come in shades of pink, purple, red and white. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Depending on cultivar, plants are one to three feet tall and almost as wide. How to use it: Use as a bedding plant in the front of a perennial border. Also good in containers and wildlife-friendly plantings. Excellent cut flowers. Cultivation: Give this plant rich, moist, well-draining soil; it doesn't tolerate wet feet. Blooms better in full sun although it withstands some shade. May require some deadheading. Hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11. Red mountain sage (Salvia darcyi) The plant: Spikes of tubular, orange-red flowers appear in summer to fall and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It grows to three to four feet tall and six to seven feet wide. How to use it: Use in a xeriscape or a wildlife friendly garden. Cultivation: Red mountain sage does best in full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates partial shade but has better flowering in more sun. Cut back foliage to the ground in early spring. Hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10. 'Scotch Bonnet' pepper The plant: 'Scotch Bonnet' is a type of pepper similar to the habanero. Fruit is wrinkled and about two inches in diameter. The red fruit is sweeter and slightly less hot than other habaneros but still has plenty of heat. How to use it: Use in making salsa and jerk sauces. Cultivation: 'Scotch Bonnet' pepper requires full sun and a moist, well-drained soil. The fruit can be harvested green, and the flavor and heat will become more intense as they ripen. Note: take care to wear gloves when chopping and avoid wiping eyes. good luck
Thanks Poi! Yes, the oak leaves were quite sharp. Probably a bad idea for a worm bin no? I figure to simulate nature, wouldn't it be better not to shred the leaves? Would it make a big difference not to shred them? Someone recommended to use local kelp and eel grass, I'm quite eager to try those out. Seems like a great idea. I think our oceans here in SoCal are relatively clean. (?) I hear it makes a great worm bedding and mulch as well, especially the eel grass. Seems perfect for a mulch, just gotta rinse it off. I have family members that did this, I know a place for that as well, where cows just roam. It's in a national park, in the mountains, I doubt they are using (or even allowed to) use any pesticides there, as it's a natural habitat. Thanks Vee! Are you sure I could use those as bedding though? The agave seems it would have spikes, though inside I imagine is like aloe vera, so worms should like it. As for sage, would it be considered too "aromatic" for worms? I also hear they don't like things with strong tastes. Same for peppers - I read they don't like spicy. Curious as to whether you use these beddings, or have heard of people using them.
Im big on aloe vera and miles from any desert, I use it as a surfactant at germination as a tonic pre-watering on hot days with flowering plants for the same reason, I could use household soap as many non organics growers do but my consideration is the soil bacteria the Ph. avoid drinking as its a strong laxative with possible poisoning later cheers
