A local Daisy girl scout troop visited Monster Worms on May 19, 2009. Dave got out one of our worm bins to show the girls, and a few of their brothers, some worms. He showed them some of our European Nightcrawlers (Eisenia hortensis). Many of the 
girls had no problem at all handling the worms. It probably helped that our daughters, also girl scouts, were right there picking up worms and showing them to the girls. Dave explained how the worms turn paper and food scraps into nutrient rich castings. I think that if the girls realized that castings meant “worm poop” they probably would have run to the bathroom to wash their hands!!!! 
They also got to see baby worms and some cocoons. Each girl, that wanted too, was able to take home a worm. The girls and their parents were also given a tour of our garden. They got to see the other type of composting…composting without worms. They enjoyed seeing all of our vegetables growing too.
Archive for June, 2009
Daisy Troop Visit
Saturday, June 27th, 2009Green Business Certificate
Thursday, June 25th, 2009We received our “Green Business Certificate” today! A representative came over and and verified that we are indeed “green”. What does that mean? Well, she went over every aspect of our business, from lighting to cleaning supplies to make sure that we 
recycle and use resources wisely. We passed with flying colors!! The majority of our lighting is done with CFL’s which use a lot less electricity than the incandescent light bulbs. The watering of our landscaping is done using either a drip system or with sprinklers that are carefully spaced to ensure maximum efficiency. We also only water in the early morning hours to help minimize evaporation due to the sun. We use solar panels to supplement our electrical use and we do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
She also looked at our cleaning supplies. We only clean with essential oils and water, baking soda, and water and vinegar. We don’t use anything that is toxic. She enjoyed seeing our organic garden, worm bins, compost bin and tumbler.
To see a list of other green businesses in CA, go to www.greenbiz.ca.gov. In our “links” section I have also provided links to recycling websites.
“Our Garden” update #1
Friday, June 19th, 2009Dave went to Walnut Creek this morning to see how the Contra Costa Times’ “Our Garden” was doing. He met up with Master Gardener Bethallyn Black. He said that the plants that were given a dose of our worm castings already looked greener and healthier. To see the online article about Dave speaking at “Our Garden” go to: http://www.contracostatimes.com/homeandgarden/ci_12638447. Be advised….their website is very slowwww and quite often the link that I provided will go to a registration page. Just back click and try again.
Worm Happenings
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009Dave spent a good portion of the day removing castings from the bins. The worms have been loving our warm weather and responding by eating lots of food and producing lots of castings. Since our kids have been out of school, they’ve been helping too. They love the worms!!
Dave at the CC Times “Our Garden”
Saturday, June 13th, 2009The Contra Costa Times together with Master Gardener Bethallyn Black have created a community garden in Walnut Creek, CA. Food grown in this garden will be donated to the Solano County food bank. Each Friday for the past month gardeners get together to learn and shares ideas about gardening. This week the topic of discussion was composting with worms! That’s right up our alley!! Dave represented Monster Worms and shared his knowledge of vermiculture and vermicomposting. He showed everyone how to make a simple worm bin made out of a plastic tote and he also demonstrated how to use a Gusanito Worm Farm Bin. We have three types of worms in our Gusanito Worm Farm Bin. Everyone got to see cocoons, babies, juveniles and adults of the red wiggler (Eisenia fetida), the European Nightcrawler (Eisenia hortensis), and the African Nightcrawler (Eudrilus Eugeniae). He also brought along worm castings to show and to donate to the garden.
