I am a worm killer.
I say this half jokingly, but I also feel horrible!
The 1,500 or so little guys were doing so well in the worm bin in my garage. Temps in my garage remain in the very low 80s, which is an acceptable -- even desirable -- temperature. They were munching so happily on corn shucks, broccoli, strawberries, and all of our organic kitchen scraps. I was even considering harvesting some of the worms and putting them in plastic containers to sell for fishing bait (which, ironically, would have led to their same fate).
But a week ago, after a stretch of 100 degree days in North Texas, the garage started to smell. I thought it was just the casings that needed cleaned out.
Uh-uh. It was a worm massacre.
Did I learn some things about the foods I eat, and our family's waste stream? Absolutely. There is so much we simply do not need to throw out. These little guys can tear apart not only soft food scraps, but paper towels, broccoli stems ... I even threw in part of a cotton sock to see what would happen.
They are incredibly hard workers. Lord only knows what type of business they take care of underground.
I did not save the planet through this project ... didn't even come close. But it was fun! I just wish it didn't have to end so horribly on the part of the worms.
I think vermi-composting is one step above my skill level. My next venture into composting, I think, will be one of those composting tumbler things.
I am excited to start the final project for my doctor of ministry project in late August. I have about eight families who will be designing their own projects (like vermi-composting) that can help them to think about how to live more faithfully in a consumer culture.
