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Dear Friends
Welcome to The Urban Worm newsletter, and thank you so much for joining us, for believing in the humble but mighty worm!
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The Summer is officially over: not to say that it ever really got going in the UK, we’ve all had a tough time with vitamin D deprivation, ungodly volumes of rain and constant cloud cover. But we continue on in preparation for the coming winter months. It could be a very chilly one - time to get the winter wares out.
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Woolly hats for worms
We know that worms are tougher than they look, adapting over millennia through some pretty extreme changing climates, however it can never do any harm to keep them at their most comfortable whilst in our loving care. In an ideal worm world we would have temperatures of between 10-30 C, but with the winter soon approaching preparation is key.
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If size allows, and if other members of the household are of course obliging bringing your worm farm into the house is the most luxurious option, although understandably this is not for everyone. If you have a greenhouse, shed or garage this will do nicely, and always keeping them raised off the floor will take the chill off too. If no cover is available wrapping the worm farm in some insulation/ bubble wrap / blanket will retain heat, and if you are having a clear out of your moth-eaten woollens or well worm cottons, this can help.
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Adding a layer of natural fabric inside the worm farm will stop the cold air circulating too, although always make sure to keep these moist.
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Heat is generated when bacteria multiplies so adding extra food in colder months helps, and if you happen to have access to some horse manure a good few inches will provide a nice blanket too.
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Of course, our favourite method is to simply hug your worm farm daily, this method makes the worms feel especially appreciated.
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There’s a toad in my worm farm
Whilst attending our monthly worm care duties at Stanford Hall DMRC, to our delight we happened upon Mr Toad having the feast of his lifetime snacking on the strays in the leaf litter. Worms play a foundational role in keeping life alive - not only do our plants and gardens thrive with a little worm poo, but worms provide a food source for our birds, hedgehogs, frogs, moles, and turtles. Rich in protein, amino acids, good fats, vitamins and minerals, worms are an excellent nutrient source, and in some cultures considered a delicacy. Although we acknowledge the nutrient potential we do not by any means advocate eating worms or bugs of any kind, but still it is useful to know that in times of emergency…
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Our worm farms exist not only to keep our kitchen waste out of the bin and our plants happy, they create the biological web for life to thrive. You are all single handedly sustaining precious life friends, and that is no small feat.
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Mr Toad was a little reminder of the vital role worms play in the fabric of life - thank you Mr Toad.
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Article: Should we make room for worms on our dinner plate, here >>>
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Thank you Newark & Sherwood
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If you are a long-standing reader of New Worm Order News you may be aware how much we appreciate the support of Newark & Sherwood District Council who have embraced the worms with open arms. We have 40 wheelie bin worm farms in schools and a library, plus 60 mini worm farmers dotted around the district, and there is more to come. We are grateful to be awarded a Community Grant to deliver three full days of workshops next Spring for 135 new worm farmers. The district will be fluent in all things worms in no time at all.
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One For The Photo Album
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It's a two-part photo-series this month: above, what you might find under a damp leaf litter foraging for microbes - our beloved worms. And below... can you spot their highly camouflaged predator about to enjoy a wormiful meal?
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Worms On Tour
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Hitting the road to spread the worm word is always a treat, and especially when it's for organisations that we support and admire. We will be returning to FarmEd in early November to deliver a session for their full day Compost Clinic. Come and learn about the magic of bokashi, hot composting and vermicomposting and see which one best works for you. Tickets available here >>>
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Notts Food Summit
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A little closer to home, we are delighted to have been asked to speak at Nottinghamshire’s Food Summit on the 16th October, sharing all things worms. Nottinghamshire Sustainable Food Network recently won Sustainable Food Places Bronze award and we are looking forward to hearing about all the great work taking place in the county and connecting with friends old and new.
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Despite the grey skies, friends, we see the light and can confirm the worm has officially turned. Thank you for sticking around and reading New Worm Order News, it means a lot to us. Until next month…
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Anna & The Urban Worm team
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