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Portable Composting and Earthworms

By cwhitt
June 17, 2017

Living in a condo, I don't have a lot of space, so I sometimes need to get creative with my gardening. I can't imagine a garden without compost, but did not have a large permanent place for a compost pile, so I took a large black pot that had once held a tree and I started using it for composting. The idea worked very well -- with added benefits. I had placed the pot in my rose bed. Earthworms quickly found their way up into the pot from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. They delighted in the constant supply of fresh kitchen and yard waste that I kept putting into the pot, especially my coffee grounds, banana peels, and egg shells. Soon, I had an entire nursery of baby wrigglers, and my kitchen/yard waste was rapidly composted and became full of earthworm castings. Then, I had another idea: I had a rose bush that was not doing very well, so I moved my compost pot next to the rose bush during the rainy season. Nutrients must have drained out of the bottom of the pot, and baby earthworms made their way back out of the bucket and into my rose bed. Soon I noticed a great improvement in the rose bush, and a definite increase in the number of earthworms. It seems that this was a win-win situation: I was breeding earthworms, composting, and improving my soil -- all at the same time! This summer my composting pot is moving again. I have another bed that needs some soil improvement and is lacking in earthworms. What an easy way to improve my soil!

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Avatar for patbohn
Jun 18, 2017 6:23 AM CST
Thread OP

what a fantastic idea.... I compost by throwing all my kitchen refuse on a pile. I love this idea and will start a new way of doing things TODAY! It makes so much sense.
Thanks for sharing.
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Jun 18, 2017 3:35 PM CST
Name: ET
Seattle
I am new here and this is the perfect idea for my newly started P-patch raised beds! I don't have any big black pots but I do have a few decorative planters so I figured I would do this in one of those and use a potted plant has a lid!!
I have been container gardening for several years and finally rented six raised beds at a local high school.
Well, i've got plenty of wondering around to do here so I'll come back and add photos later as my garden progresses.
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Jun 18, 2017 5:15 PM CST
Name: Toni Melvin
Sherwood Oregon (Zone 8a)
Beekeeper Region: Pacific Northwest Permaculture Organic Gardener Region: Oregon Native Plants and Wildflowers
Canning and food preservation Herbs Composter Bee Lover Vermiculture Garden Ideas: Level 1
ETSC10 said: I am new here and this is the perfect idea for my newly started P-patch raised beds! I don't have any big black pots but I do have a few decorative planters so I figured I would do this in one of those and use a potted plant has a lid!!
I have been container gardening for several years and finally rented six raised beds at a local high school.
Well, i've got plenty of wondering around to do here so I'll come back and add photos later as my garden progresses.


Welcome Welcome! Welcome! Fellow PNW - I can't wait to see posts of your garden progress Hurray!
Toni
I aspire to be the person my dog thinks I am
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Jun 18, 2017 6:56 PM CST
Name: ET
Seattle
Toni said:

Welcome Welcome! Welcome! Fellow PNW - I can't wait to see posts of your garden progress Hurray!


Thanks Toni and a big howdy back! Don't know if I will have much time to garden now as I'll be hanging out here instead! Rolling on the floor laughing
VERY cool site!
Here's what's being used for raised beds:


Thumb of 2017-06-19/ETSC10/82d092
Last edited by ETSC10 Jun 18, 2017 7:01 PM Icon for preview
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Jun 19, 2017 12:50 PM CST
Name: Christie
Central Ohio 43016 (Zone 6a)
Plays on the water.
Amaryllis Permaculture Sempervivums Roses Bookworm Annuals
Composter Hybridizer Cat Lover Garden Ideas: Master Level
ETSC10 said:

Thanks Toni and a big howdy back! Don't know if I will have much time to garden now as I'll be hanging out here instead! Rolling on the floor laughing
VERY cool site!
Here's what's being used for raised beds:
Thumb of 2017-06-19/ETSC10/82d092

How tall are those? Will be interested to see how they come along. Welcome!
Plant Dreams. Pull Weeds. Grow A Happy Life.
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Jun 19, 2017 5:37 PM CST
Name: Toni Melvin
Sherwood Oregon (Zone 8a)
Beekeeper Region: Pacific Northwest Permaculture Organic Gardener Region: Oregon Native Plants and Wildflowers
Canning and food preservation Herbs Composter Bee Lover Vermiculture Garden Ideas: Level 1
@ETSC10
nodding yep- it is so hard to close out of the site and get stuff done that's for sure!
Where did you get your bins? How deep are they? They like something I need - the Gophers are eating EVERYTHING I care about! Grumbling
Toni
I aspire to be the person my dog thinks I am
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