Locavore In Training

I'm happy to report that my worm friends seem to have settled in to their new home. They arrived last Thursday, looking as healthy as you can expect 1,000 red wiggler worms who just traveled from NC to MD through the USPS. I dumped them in as instructed in the Worm Factory manual - minus the light above their home. Since they are living in the shed, there is no electric for an easy light source. Well, this turned out to be a mistake.

When I checked in on them the next day, I was sad to discover some dead escapees around the composter. They seemed confused on what was up and what was down, so some ventured up and out. I rigged an LED flashlight above it, figuring I would replace the batteries once a day or so since I would leave it on all day. Then the monsoon 4 days of straight rain came, and I just couldn't get myself motivated to trek through the standing water, mud and muck to check on them.

My new rain boots arrived yesterday, so the first thing I did was check on them. Even though it's started to dry out, I was thankful to have them. Turns out, the flashlight was still on, and it doesn't look like there were more escapees! They were all tucked in the dirt, seemingly adjusted. Good times!

I also took the extra daylight time to clear a thick layer of leaves that still remained on my perennial beds. (One of "the kid's" supposed chores.)  I'm hoping they can dry out over the next couple of days, and that the plants have all fared well over the gallons of rain and snow. If things can dry out enough, I'll get the leaves collected and shredded this weekend and maybe even set up my new raised beds! Hooray for sunlight and spring!