Hermaphrodite Slaves (red worms)Revealed in Philomath, Oregon

Thousands of hermaphrodite slaves revealed in Philomath Oregon living in small dark spaces and fed kitchen scrapes. On Thursday April 16, Beverly Whitmore shared the lives of these creatures, red worms, also called red wigglers that reproduce by themselves (hermaphrodite) and with each other. That is incredible! One can create more. These clean little worms do not need dirt to live in. Happily hidden away in the dark, they are slaves to the consumption of food scraps.

“My interest in worms is mostly science. I like to share the castings with friends and help people start their own vermiculture composting environments when my population increases.”Whitmore said

There is no pet hair or jumping on guests. You can leave town for several days (go fishing with worms) and no need for a sitter. They provide free hidden, noiseless, energy, by recycling your food waste and newspapers they producing castings to fertilize plants and contribute to a healthy sustainable lifestyle.

Here are five quick and easy steps to starting a home composting bin, according to Dort Worm Farm.

1. Purchase or build a bin. A simple 1' high x 2' wide x 3' long wooden structure is really all you need. Many people also use plastic boxes with a drain hole.

2. Add bedding. Shredded newspaper works great, fill the bin loosely with the paper and a small amount of soil.

3. Wet the bedding enough that if you take a handful and squeeze, a small amount of water drips out between your knuckles.

4. Add red worms.

5. Maintain your bin at temperatures between 55 and 79 degrees F, with damp soil and a pH around 7.

For more information go to dortworms.com; Dort Worm Farm, P.O. Box 1108, Philomath, OR 97370.

A good book on the topic is: "Worms Eat My Garbage" by Mary Appelhof

Event: Master Gardeners Seventh Annual Plant Sale
May 2: There will be a clinic table where master gardeners trained by the Oregon State University Extension Service will be answering gardening questions. OSU entomology experts will address garden and vermiculture composting demonstrations from. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. It all happens at the Benton County Fairgrounds, Floral Courtyard,110 53rd St.,Corvallis,541-766-6750.