Tuesday, March 23, 2004

Take the Poll

Another Amy who is into worms is taking a worm composting poll on her website. Now, before you head over there, I need to tell you about a little trick--there are eight questions in this poll, but to get to them, you need to hit the Refresh in your browser. A different question will randomly pop up every time you refresh.

OK. You can go now--here's the link.

The eight questions, in case you'd like to contemplate them before responding, are:

How many worm bins do you have? (Yes, Virginia, some people have more than one worm bin.
I have three. Well, three and a half. OK, maybe four if you count the...)

What kind of vermicomposting system (bin) do you use? (Fortunately, you can choose more than one answer)

What do you feed your worms? (Room service!)

When adding kitchen scraps to your worm bin, do you...(choose one. OK, this requires a bit of explanation. Some people freeze, microwave, blend, food process, or otherwise prepare their food before feeding it to the worms. My philosophy here is that the worms, while very useful and hard-working creatures, have never washed a dish in their lives. So I will not be getting out the blender, food processor, or even a microwave dish that will have to be washed later just for the worms. As for putting our food scraps in the freezer first...well, my husband is a patient man, but there are limits to what he is willing to encounter in the freezer while foraging for his Ben & Jerry's or his Beefeater...)

What worm species do you have in your bin? (and yes, "I have no idea!" is one of the options.)

Where do you keep your bin? (a firm majority let their worms sleep indoors at least part of the year. Wow.)

What do you use for bedding in your worm bin? (they do not require goose down or 300-count sheets, contrary to what the previous question might lead you to believe.)

Why do you have a worm bin? ("To stay in touch with the wild wonder and extraordinary microcosmos that is our world" is not an option, but perhaps it's implied in the "It's part of my organic gardening hobby" answer)

I'll report back on the responses soon--thanks, Amy W., for this little diversion. Oh, and while you're at her site, check out her fabulous photos of worms. I would not have thought to put little red hearts all around that Eisenia fetida, but it works, it really does.