BABIES, There are BABIES!

I like composting.  When we moved from Virginia I gave my worm bin to a fellow Master Gardener so I needed to find a way to compost in our new home.  We  bought a tumbler composting container.  Once the first tumbler was full (rather too heavy to roll every easily) we got another.  Since we take our trash to the recycling center, any amount we are able to compost helps.....that and we have clay soil and could use all the compost we can get. They tuck nicely into the tree line, near the deck steps.

 Well, I still wanted some worms.  Since we had a number of plastic bins that we used to move some things down here I was ready to get a bin started.  I was so careful drilling the holes in my first bin, not so this time.  I got the drill and just started making holes.

The worms need air circulation, so the lid and the top 1/3 of the sides have holes.  Inside there is a nice bed of shredded newspaper, as damp as a wrung out sponge.  On top of the shredded paper is a section of newspaper, also damp.  

I first bought two containers of red worms.  I went to the bait store, I did this in Virginia to augment the worm population.  One thing I forgot about was light................ about half of the first group escaped.  When you set up a new bin sometimes the worms are a little wild and can roam.  I don't know what their issue is, maybe they are just a little shook up from being in the new digs.  Now we have a lamp on next to the bin.  It is a small wattage CFL, so it doesn't bother me too much to leave it on....  'tis better than finding half the worms stuck to the floor in the morning.  I did stop by the bait store for another container of worms.

I keep the bin in the storage area on the lower level of the house.  To start a bin you add small amounts of food, you don't want stuff to get rotten waiting for the little guys to chow down.  Tonight while downstairs letting the dogs out I checked the bin.  Guess what I saw on the side of the container???? Well, ok, I did give it away with the title, a baby worm!!!!

 Just to the right of the words 'BABY WORMS' is the little guy.  This is exciting because it means they are happy in their new home.   I can soon start to increase what I add to the bin.  I have a melon sitting on the counter that we need to cut and eat.  Worms LOVE melon rinds.  They will be thrilled!
To give you a better perspective on the size of the worm, here is the larger picture.

Worm bins are kind of fun, they don't stink, and they produce some great compost material.  Go worms!!!
For some good web references on vermicomposting here are a couple sites--

http://www.redwormcomposting.com/

Cooperative Extension- http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/vermilinks.html-- this one has a lot of links

and the one I started with--
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/redwormsedit.htm  Give it a try, it is easy!

words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.

Field Trip To Newberry

Yesterday we took a short ride over to Newberry.  Why you might ask.  Well, Carter and Holmes Orchids was having a holiday sale.  I have long lusted after orchids, I admit it.  My problem is that I find ALL of them beautiful.  How can one choose???? 

Look at all these lovelies....each one is prettier than the next.  Some of them are fragrant, some tiny, and some are enormous. 

 I am a total novice with orchids-- perhaps some are easier to grow than others, we shall see.  I came home with three 'bargains'.  One Cymbidium with three spikes full of plump buds,

one Paphiopetalum with no flower bud (or stock---does this one flower on a stock???)

 and one Cattleya which needs to be repotted. 

 This isn't one I bought, but I love this one for its face...see the little face in the center?  Fun. 

The greenhouses go on forever it seems.....they have more than orchids.  There are many houseplants and some hardy ferns available, oh the choices!!  I will go back as I have found a source for those cool Rex Begonias. 

Stay tuned for updates on my successes with my new orchids!


words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.

More of The Odds and Ends, A Friend, and Some Assistance, Please

Yesterday was a balmy day and I took advantage of it to explore a little more into the woods at the front of our property.  I didn't go too far into the woods in the summer, had enough tick bites while in Virginia. I ventured into the next lot a bit and while I was looking at some Golden Rod, I noticed some very familiar berries.  How fun to find some Callicarpa americana growing wild.  This one is about 3 feet tall and full of helmet scale.  It is the only one I found... there may be more, this time of year it is so easy to overlook a small shrub.

Along the other side property I found some Devil's Walking Stick, Aralia spinosa, with some Honeysuckle, Lonicera, wrapped around the stock.  Does anyone know how to tell native honeysuckle from Japanese honeysuckle?  Before it blooms that is, I can tell once it blooms.




Once I worked my way down to the water I was surprised to find a stand of Chasmanthus latifolium.  Guess it makes sense to find River Oats near the river....or lake...which is really a dammed river.

After walking along the water's edge I worked my way up through the backyard garden to the edge of the woods.  I found more buds on the Camellia 'Bonanza'.  Camellias are great to have in the garden this time of year.

Into the treeline of the next lot there are a number of Winged Elm, Ulmus alata.  The corky appendages on this tree are most interesting.

Happily I discovered that one of the trees along the property line is a Beech tree!  I love the long  tapered buds. 

While looking around at another Euonymus americana,  I found a little friend....

Now for the assistance..... I have a tree or tall shrub in the front up by the street.  If it had thorns this would be easier.  I think it resembles a Hawthorn, but it has no thorns.  The photos are not the best, but any help would be appreciated.  There is no evidence of blooms or berries.  The bark is smooth and light gray. 

 The leaves are obovate, serrated, and turn yellow-brown in the fall.   The nodes on the trunk are close together.  Not sure if it is multi-stemmed or there are a number of seeds that sprouted in one place.  If anyone has any ideas about what this might be --Please let me know!!!  One guess was a Serviceberry, Amelanchier...but again, I saw no sign of any berries.

For those who ask a question in the comments section and aren't sure about remembering to come back for a reply, you can check the box for follow-up comments.  It will be emailed to you.  Super easy.



words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.