I didn't realize that the worms actually would eat the unrotted fruit. I always thought they ate the itty-bitty bugs and nurtriants in the soil from the rotted material.

I get lots of coffee grounds from Starbucks and throw them in the compost bins. I guess I have a worm farm out there since there are always a huge number of worms in the compost -- usually right where the coffee grounds are.

Wow!! Are all those brown specks on the side of the container tiny worms? When and how do you apply it to the garden? Do you just take a handful and mix it into the soil? Are you afraid they might crawl out of the tiny holes in the lid?

Very impressive, Mikey.

You're right Westelle that the worms eat only soft decomposing plant material. Those cherries will soon break down and once that starts happening the worms will start dining on them. I tossed the watermelon rind into the freezer first and that caused it to break down much quicker for them to eat. My compost pile is also full of worms and they sure do like their Starbucks :)

Jenn: The brown specks are likely worm castings. The worms never exit the holes. The holes in the top and sides are too small and the holes in the bottom are large enough for them to escape but they apparently have no desire to do so since they never exit the holes. When I plant something new I often mix in a handful of worm castings. That not only adds nutrition to the soil for the plant but there are also worms and an unknown number of worm eggs mixed in as well.

Oh that's right, worm castings. Wow, that is simply amazing! I bet your wife is glad the worms don't escape, you're a lucky guy that she lets you keep that in the house, LOL. What a happy garden you must have.

Jen

Wow, that's amazing. I think you've inspired me to make my own, and it looks easy to set up. Those castings are definitely needed in my garden, which is mostly clay. It would also help speed up the reproduction of worms so I could distribute them around the garden.

Thanks for the pics and the great idea.