Guest guest Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Well put! It is difficult to learn to be nice to ourselves. Especially after being abused. My goal for this week is to "fake it, til I make it" maybe if I fake wanting to be nice to myself it will eventually become a habit! My challenge to all of you is to do the same! Blessed be, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 > > Hi all, > > My name is Kathy & I am a n00b. I am currently a high school > science teacher, physics and chemistry. My original background is in > Horticulture. > > I will be leaving teaching this Spring and thought I might blend my > love for plants with my love for chemistry. I am mainly interested > in growing flowers and then distilling/extracting the fragrances. > > I did not see a sticky for newbies, so if you all could be so kind as > to tell me what equipment, sources, bottling, etc.. I needed to > start with, or what you like using the best, that would be greatly > appreciated. > > Naturally, I would be doing this out of my home. My intent is create > pure oils from organically grown flowers. > > Regards, > kathy > Hi Kathy, Welcome to the group, it's funny you mention your background is in horticulture, our own group Mama Anya McCoy's background is also in horticulture, and it sounds as if you have a head start already with your background in chemistry! As for basic equipment, I started off with Mandy Aftels starter kit of 18 different natural essences http://www.aftelier.com a few pipettes and some ethyl alcohol or even surgical spirits to clean the pipettes, and a carrier oil like jojoba, any mixing container will do, I used egg cups before I got some little beakers. You will need some clean small bottles with lids to hold your blends and accords, and some small labels, a notebook to record everything, and some scent strips (or some coffee filter strips). A graduated cylinder is handy for measuring or graduated pipettes if you can get them. I tincture a bit but I prefer to buy my materials from people who really know what they are doing instead, there are lots of links for some great suppliers here and there are always bargains to be had. Get your hands on as many samples as you possibly can. Essence and alchemy by mandy Aftel is a book that most on this group will recommend as it covers a lot of basic stuff. I'm sure others will chime in here, as there are many experts in tincturing, distilation and enflourage here in the group. Most of all enjoy! Wishing you all the best Ruth Ruane http://www.whitewitch.ie/shop http://www.whitewitch.ie/natural_perfumers_journal/journal.html http://www.whitewitch.ie/tarot_readings/tarot.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Dawn, While you are just getting started with the garden, I'd like to make a suggestion. Call around to your local nurseries and find out how much they charge to deliver compost. Then get yourself a bucket and truck it to your garden in 5 gallon buckets. I have mind dropped off at the end of the driveway. It's so much cheaper and easier than running to the store for 10 bags of compost, which dirties up my van and doesn't do more than about 2 rows in the garden. I paid 135 dollars for my 3 cubic foot of compost and that's at least the same as about 30-40 big bags from the nursery. It may not be cheaper with the delivery, but it's easier and you will use more of it. I know because every other year I've pooped out after 2 trips to the store This year I'm already working on my 2nd pile of compost that's been delivered. Suzi Dawn wrote: > Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband and 5 > kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier eating and > the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the > opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very interested > in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating healthier > food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE to eat > and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. So, I am > ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden in this > year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area ready. > > Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! > > Dawn in Orem > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 That's a great suggestion! Thanks! I have big dreams for my garden and what I want it to be! I just feel like there is so much to know before I start that I just don't know where to start! I was gung ho last year and bought a compost bin at Costco and thought I'd make my own...but I pooped out after it got really hot and that just can't happen--it doesn't work! I took a class on square foot gardening last year and believe that this is the way I want to go. I jsut need to get our garden area de-weeded and prepared. Anyway I am babbling. Thanks again for the advice! Dawn in Orem > > Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband and 5 > > kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier eating and > > the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the > > opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very interested > > in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating healthier > > food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE to eat > > and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. So, I am > > ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden in this > > year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area ready. > > > > Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! > > > > Dawn in Orem > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Dawn, let me make another suggestion. Get yourself some red worms and then you won't have to turn the compost. All you will need to do is make sure that you water down the bins when it's 85+ degrees outside so that they can cool off. Worms don't perspire. They can't heat themselves up in the winter either. Fresh kitchen scraps will rot fast enough that if you cover the bins with big thrifstore quilts, you'll keep just enough heat in the bins to overwinter the worms. You'd have to make sure you are generating a lot of kitchen scraps for keeping the compost revved up in the winter. You can pick up coffee grounds at the coffee houses and over-ripe throw away veggies at the stores if you are not generating enough compost on your own. Dawn wrote: > That's a great suggestion! Thanks! I have big dreams for my garden > and what I want it to be! I just feel like there is so much to know > before I start that I just don't know where to start! I was gung ho > last year and bought a compost bin at Costco and thought I'd make my > own...but I pooped out after it got really hot and that just can't > happen--it doesn't work! I took a class on square foot gardening > last year and believe that this is the way I want to go. I jsut need > to get our garden area de-weeded and prepared. > > Anyway I am babbling. Thanks again for the advice! > > Dawn in Orem > > > > >> >>> Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband and >>> > 5 > >>> kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier >>> > eating and > >>> the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the >>> opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very >>> > interested > >>> in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating >>> > healthier > >>> food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE to >>> > eat > >>> and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. So, >>> > I am > >>> ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden in >>> > this > >>> year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area ready. >>> >>> Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! >>> >>> Dawn in Orem >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Dawn, let me make another suggestion. Get yourself some red worms and then you won't have to turn the compost. All you will need to do is make sure that you water down the bins when it's 85+ degrees outside so that they can cool off. Worms don't perspire. They can't heat themselves up in the winter either. Fresh kitchen scraps will rot fast enough that if you cover the bins with big thrifstore quilts, you'll keep just enough heat in the bins to overwinter the worms. You'd have to make sure you are generating a lot of kitchen scraps for keeping the compost revved up in the winter. You can pick up coffee grounds at the coffee houses and over-ripe throw away veggies at the stores if you are not generating enough compost on your own. Dawn wrote: > That's a great suggestion! Thanks! I have big dreams for my garden > and what I want it to be! I just feel like there is so much to know > before I start that I just don't know where to start! I was gung ho > last year and bought a compost bin at Costco and thought I'd make my > own...but I pooped out after it got really hot and that just can't > happen--it doesn't work! I took a class on square foot gardening > last year and believe that this is the way I want to go. I jsut need > to get our garden area de-weeded and prepared. > > Anyway I am babbling. Thanks again for the advice! > > Dawn in Orem > > > > >> >>> Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband and >>> > 5 > >>> kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier >>> > eating and > >>> the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the >>> opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very >>> > interested > >>> in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating >>> > healthier > >>> food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE to >>> > eat > >>> and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. So, >>> > I am > >>> ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden in >>> > this > >>> year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area ready. >>> >>> Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! >>> >>> Dawn in Orem >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 That's a great idea! Where would I get red worms? Can I buy them somewhere? And do I ask at the store for the overripe produce or do I have to dumpster dive?(doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun to me!) Thanks! Dawn > >> > >>> Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband and > >>> > > 5 > > > >>> kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier > >>> > > eating and > > > >>> the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the > >>> opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very > >>> > > interested > > > >>> in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating > >>> > > healthier > > > >>> food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE to > >>> > > eat > > > >>> and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. So, > >>> > > I am > > > >>> ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden in > >>> > > this > > > >>> year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area ready. > >>> > >>> Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! > >>> > >>> Dawn in Orem > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Dawn, I'd ask for it. When I lived in California I did dumpster five at a local road side fruit stand. They would throw out water melons when they get old. Worms LOVE watermelon. If you hurry, you can order them from places online. But you don't want it to get too hot for shipping reasons. They ride around in a truck for a few days. Otherwise, you might find them at some sort of fishing worm supplier. I order them from a place called acme worm farm. Just google it and it will come right up. They double their numbers every couple of months in right conditions. It's fascinating to watch. I used to see my worms devour a whole Sunday Newspaper in just about 6 weeks a long with kitchen scraps put in daily. I take out the shiny pages and only put in the flat black or color is ok now as the law has forced food grade coloring. Suzi Dawn wrote: > That's a great idea! Where would I get red worms? Can I buy them > somewhere? And do I ask at the store for the overripe produce or do > I have to dumpster dive?(doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun to > me!) > > Thanks! > > Dawn > > > >>>> >>>> >>>>> Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband >>>>> > and > >>>>> >>>>> >>> 5 >>> >>> >>>>> kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier >>>>> >>>>> >>> eating and >>> >>> >>>>> the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the >>>>> opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very >>>>> >>>>> >>> interested >>> >>> >>>>> in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating >>>>> >>>>> >>> healthier >>> >>> >>>>> food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE >>>>> > to > >>>>> >>>>> >>> eat >>> >>> >>>>> and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. >>>>> > So, > >>>>> >>>>> >>> I am >>> >>> >>>>> ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden >>>>> > in > >>>>> >>>>> >>> this >>> >>> >>>>> year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area >>>>> > ready. > >>>>> Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! >>>>> >>>>> Dawn in Orem >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Dawn, I'd ask for it. When I lived in California I did dumpster five at a local road side fruit stand. They would throw out water melons when they get old. Worms LOVE watermelon. If you hurry, you can order them from places online. But you don't want it to get too hot for shipping reasons. They ride around in a truck for a few days. Otherwise, you might find them at some sort of fishing worm supplier. I order them from a place called acme worm farm. Just google it and it will come right up. They double their numbers every couple of months in right conditions. It's fascinating to watch. I used to see my worms devour a whole Sunday Newspaper in just about 6 weeks a long with kitchen scraps put in daily. I take out the shiny pages and only put in the flat black or color is ok now as the law has forced food grade coloring. Suzi Dawn wrote: > That's a great idea! Where would I get red worms? Can I buy them > somewhere? And do I ask at the store for the overripe produce or do > I have to dumpster dive?(doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun to > me!) > > Thanks! > > Dawn > > > >>>> >>>> >>>>> Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband >>>>> > and > >>>>> >>>>> >>> 5 >>> >>> >>>>> kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier >>>>> >>>>> >>> eating and >>> >>> >>>>> the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the >>>>> opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very >>>>> >>>>> >>> interested >>> >>> >>>>> in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating >>>>> >>>>> >>> healthier >>> >>> >>>>> food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE >>>>> > to > >>>>> >>>>> >>> eat >>> >>> >>>>> and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. >>>>> > So, > >>>>> >>>>> >>> I am >>> >>> >>>>> ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden >>>>> > in > >>>>> >>>>> >>> this >>> >>> >>>>> year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area >>>>> > ready. > >>>>> Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! >>>>> >>>>> Dawn in Orem >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 The best place to buy composting worm is Acme Worm Farm. Check them out on the web. I just spent one half hour writing you a long message about composting and my e-mail system kicked it. I'll try again later. ernie Re: Introduction Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:41:53 -0000 That's a great idea! Where would I get red worms? Can I buy them somewhere? And do I ask at the store for the overripe produce or do I have to dumpster dive?(doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun to me!) Thanks! Dawn > >> > >>> Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband and > >>> > > 5 > > > >>> kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier > >>> > > eating and > > > >>> the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the > >>> opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very > >>> > > interested > > > >>> in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating > >>> > > healthier > > > >>> food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE to > >>> > > eat > > > >>> and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. So, > >>> > > I am > > > >>> ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden in > >>> > > this > > > >>> year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area ready. > >>> > >>> Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! > >>> > >>> Dawn in Orem > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 The best place to buy composting worm is Acme Worm Farm. Check them out on the web. I just spent one half hour writing you a long message about composting and my e-mail system kicked it. I'll try again later. ernie Re: Introduction Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:41:53 -0000 That's a great idea! Where would I get red worms? Can I buy them somewhere? And do I ask at the store for the overripe produce or do I have to dumpster dive?(doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun to me!) Thanks! Dawn > >> > >>> Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband and > >>> > > 5 > > > >>> kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier > >>> > > eating and > > > >>> the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the > >>> opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very > >>> > > interested > > > >>> in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating > >>> > > healthier > > > >>> food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE to > >>> > > eat > > > >>> and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. So, > >>> > > I am > > > >>> ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden in > >>> > > this > > > >>> year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area ready. > >>> > >>> Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! > >>> > >>> Dawn in Orem > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 I agree with Acme Worm Farm being the best. I've had 3 shipments from them over 4 years. They always came to me fast and alive. But as I said, get them ordered before it gets any warmer. Suzi Ernest Willingham wrote: > The best place to buy composting worm is Acme Worm Farm. Check them out > on the web. I just spent one half hour writing you a long message about > composting and my e-mail system kicked it. I'll try again later. > ernie > > Re: Introduction > Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:41:53 -0000 > > That's a great idea! Where would I get red worms? Can I buy them > somewhere? And do I ask at the store for the overripe produce or do > I have to dumpster dive?(doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun to > me!) > > Thanks! > > Dawn > > > > >> > > >>> Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband > and > > >>> > > > 5 > > > > > >>> kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier > > >>> > > > eating and > > > > > >>> the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the > > >>> opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very > > >>> > > > interested > > > > > >>> in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating > > >>> > > > healthier > > > > > >>> food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE > to > > >>> > > > eat > > > > > >>> and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. > So, > > >>> > > > I am > > > > > >>> ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden > in > > >>> > > > this > > > > > >>> year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area > ready. > > >>> > > >>> Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! > > >>> > > >>> Dawn in Orem > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Suzi... and others who are vermicomposting... Are you adding wheatgrass mats to your compost bin? Most of the information I have read about vermicomposting suggests a short, wide bin, as opposed to a taller, more space saving bin (such as a plastic trash barrel). If I use a short, wide bin, I'd run out of composting space for the number of wheatgrass mats I need to recycle. Ann Wigmore recommended a tall garbage can with holes drilled in it, in her wheatgrass book (for indoors composting), but this is very different from what vermicomposting sites are recommending. Does anyone have experience with this? I live in Northern Utah, where temperature can get pretty extreme in either direction between summer and winter. I wonder if the red wrigglers can handle Utah weather in an outdoors garden composting bin(?) Actually, our garden is a distance from the house, and with the snow, it's unlikely I'd get the kitchen scraps to the outside bin during those cold months... I'd opt for an inside bin. Would the outside worms survive? Do they hibernate? Jill ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 Hi Theresa! Welcome and congratulations on your new nephew! Your sister is so lucky to have so much support from you. My son is 9 and has Down syndrome, He also has an older brother who is 20, an older sister who is 18 and a younger sister who is 6. He also became an Uncle this year to his beautiful niece. When He was born I worked in a company that was not very " family friendly " though the money was great, I left there and started my own family daycare. I had run into major problems with child care providers " finding all sorts of reasons " why they could not take my son when they found out about him. My family is in Georgia and my in-laws (as great as they are) are now retired and do a lot of well deserved traveling. I then taught toddlers when entered school full time and my youngest was still home. That took care of daycare for her and I was still home by the time got home. This year, with both in public school, I started working for the town public school system. I am a paraprofessional in a therapeutic intervention program. I work with children in Jr. high that have social disorders, autism, bipolar etc. It is great and I really enjoy the children immensely. I am now in the process of getting my teaching degree in special ed. Where you are very new to the personal side of this, I really hope I don't offend you. In your letter you said you had worked with a " 2 1/2 yr. old Downs child in my class " . i really hope you dont mind if I correct you but you worked with a " child who has Downs syndrome " . We all need to remember the Child first before the disability, so the rest of society will see our children as - beautiful, loving, active, teachable, productive children who will become all those things and MORE as adults. ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 Jill, Red Wigglers live in the first 2 inches of soil in their natural habitat. They will stop producing eggs at temps past 80 and when you approach 100 they will begin to die. If they are in very hot weather you can cool them off by running cool water over them and keeping them in the shade. While it's dangerous for them to just sit in anything approaching mud, it does cool off the bins when the water is evaporating. I kept my worms outside in East County San Diego where temps became 100 repeatedly. But I work at home and was able to spray the bins a few times per day. I have set up a very wide bin outside and yes it's a ways from the house. I throw everything I can on my back porch and then carry it out a few days in a bucket. But, getting through the winter would be even harder. I haven't thrown red worms into my outdoor bin yet. I think it's highly possible they may not survive the winter. However, I will likely do an experiment soon. I need to get a longer hose so that I can give everything in the bin a good soaking because I have a lot of dry paper in there. Anyway, if you can get enough fresh rotting stuff in there in the winter and then throw big quilts over the whole thing, I think it's possible they could survive. But, you would need for them to be someplace where they can get sun to warm the bins during the day. In the summer they would need shade which would be quite the opposite. There are places that keep the worms outside and they throw some sort of warming blankets outside that are designed for outside. They make mats that are designed to be used in green houses and they can be wired up with outdoor wire that is water proof. But that would be expensive. Then again, once you get used to working with wigglers you don't mind picking them up and moving them. You can use a method of collecting them in the fall just before winter and over winter them someplace else. Here's the deal with keeping them in a trash can. They will lay eggs only until there are enough worms in the can to eat the amount of food they can reach in a few inches. But I have seen in my own experiences they will adapt and go much deeper than 2 inches. But that's probably because I don't tear my paper up real small and I don't chop my veggies up real small either. That gives my bins a lot of air pockets through out giving the worms an easier time of going deeper. See they will not burrow through the dirt like the earth worms we are used to. They don't dig or live in tunnels. Once they stop laying eggs, they will just keep their numbers even so long as they are getting regular food. They will also stop laying eggs if there is too little food or the conditions become unbearable. What I don't like about cans is that it's hard to keep the temp and moisture just right in them. But then again, I've felt that the worm bins always need a lot of attention. I put the lid on for a few days and all the worms go down inside and are happily eating. But then I check the lid and find them migrating and the lid is all wet. I even see tiny little white worms which is another variety and shows my bins have become a little acidic. So I remove the lid for a few days and it begins to dry out. They can not be in too wet or too dry conditions for long. So it's a constant battle and I'm just not sure I'd give them that much attention in the snow either! Suzi tandemtrio@... wrote: > Suzi... and others who are vermicomposting... > > Are you adding wheatgrass mats to your compost bin? Most of the information > I have read about vermicomposting suggests a short, wide bin, as opposed to a > taller, more space saving bin (such as a plastic trash barrel). > > If I use a short, wide bin, I'd run out of composting space for the number of > wheatgrass mats I need to recycle. > > Ann Wigmore recommended a tall garbage can with holes drilled in it, in her > wheatgrass book (for indoors composting), but this is very different from what > vermicomposting sites are recommending. > > Does anyone have experience with this? > > I live in Northern Utah, where temperature can get pretty extreme in either > direction between summer and winter. I wonder if the red wrigglers can handle > Utah weather in an outdoors garden composting bin(?) Actually, our garden is > a distance from the house, and with the snow, it's unlikely I'd get the > kitchen scraps to the outside bin during those cold months... I'd opt for an inside > bin. Would the outside worms survive? Do they hibernate? > > Jill > > > > ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 Hi Theresa, My name is Sue & I live in Michigan. Where does your sister live? I am now a single mom to my daughter Alyssa, 10 years, who was born with DS and a heart defect. She was 10 weeks when she had her heart surgery and doing so well today. I was 43 when I had Alyssa. If your sister would be interested, she could write to me and maybe I can ease some of her fears or help her with any questions or concerns. Sue & Alyssa-MI --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible " new car " smell? Check outnew cars at Autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 Hello Theresa and welcome to this wonderful group where I am sure you will find - as I have - a lot of support, interesting and wise input from members; just by reading their posts I have learned many things I did not know about and great ideas, too. I want to tell you that you are a GREAT Sis and Auntie, and that I wish I had a sister like you! I only have brothers Bonnie - mother to Jean-Pierre (18), Mark Willem (16) and Ana (14-ds) from Aalst, Belgium. faithoftheheart58 <faithoftheheart58@...> escribió: Hi Everyone! My name is Theresa. I live in southern middle Tennessee. My sister, who lives in Michigan, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on April 9th. He has Downs,bilateral club feet and has a hole in his heart. The doctors think the heart problem may resolve on it's own. My sister is 42 and single. (She thought she was going through menopause) Surprise! My mom was hving a hard time with the whole situation and wanted her to give him up for adoption. Thank God she didnt! I am a teacher at Early Headstart and I have a 2 1/2 yr old Downs child in my class. I have been trained to work with her. I am trying to talk my sis into moving here so I can help her to raise Ethan.In my profession, I have accsess to the best resources for him. She has no one to help her there( the father has no interest in Ethan). If she decides to come here I will bring her and the baby back with me when I go up there in July.I am really excited over the prospect of helping her. I look forward to all the support and information that I will get from this group. __________________________________________________ Correo Espacio para todos tus mensajes, antivirus y antispam ¡gratis! RegÃstrate ya - http://correo..mx/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 Suzi, egg shells will correct the pH in your worm bins. I have a small cheap food processor that I got somewhere for $10. Wash and air dry the shells. Put them in the food processor and grind them to amost powder. If you don't have a machine to help grind the shells, put them in a heavy plastic bag - breakfast cereal box liner works great - and crush with a rolling pin. Earthworms do not have teeth. They have a craw like birds. In addition to correcting the pH inbalance, the shells aid the worm in 'chewing'. ernie Re: Re: Introduction Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:22:17 -0500 Jill, Red Wigglers live in the first 2 inches of soil in their natural habitat. They will stop producing eggs at temps past 80 and when you approach 100 they will begin to die. If they are in very hot weather you can cool them off by running cool water over them and keeping them in the shade. While it's dangerous for them to just sit in anything approaching mud, it does cool off the bins when the water is evaporating. I kept my worms outside in East County San Diego where temps became 100 repeatedly. But I work at home and was able to spray the bins a few times per day. I have set up a very wide bin outside and yes it's a ways from the house. I throw everything I can on my back porch and then carry it out a few days in a bucket. But, getting through the winter would be even harder. I haven't thrown red worms into my outdoor bin yet. I think it's highly possible they may not survive the winter. However, I will likely do an experiment soon. I need to get a longer hose so that I can give everything in the bin a good soaking because I have a lot of dry paper in there. Anyway, if you can get enough fresh rotting stuff in there in the winter and then throw big quilts over the whole thing, I think it's possible they could survive. But, you would need for them to be someplace where they can get sun to warm the bins during the day. In the summer they would need shade which would be quite the opposite. There are places that keep the worms outside and they throw some sort of warming blankets outside that are designed for outside. They make mats that are designed to be used in green houses and they can be wired up with outdoor wire that is water proof. But that would be expensive. Then again, once you get used to working with wigglers you don't mind picking them up and moving them. You can use a method of collecting them in the fall just before winter and over winter them someplace else. Here's the deal with keeping them in a trash can. They will lay eggs only until there are enough worms in the can to eat the amount of food they can reach in a few inches. But I have seen in my own experiences they will adapt and go much deeper than 2 inches. But that's probably because I don't tear my paper up real small and I don't chop my veggies up real small either. That gives my bins a lot of air pockets through out giving the worms an easier time of going deeper. See they will not burrow through the dirt like the earth worms we are used to. They don't dig or live in tunnels. Once they stop laying eggs, they will just keep their numbers even so long as they are getting regular food. They will also stop laying eggs if there is too little food or the conditions become unbearable. What I don't like about cans is that it's hard to keep the temp and moisture just right in them. But then again, I've felt that the worm bins always need a lot of attention. I put the lid on for a few days and all the worms go down inside and are happily eating. But then I check the lid and find them migrating and the lid is all wet. I even see tiny little white worms which is another variety and shows my bins have become a little acidic. So I remove the lid for a few days and it begins to dry out. They can not be in too wet or too dry conditions for long. So it's a constant battle and I'm just not sure I'd give them that much attention in the snow either! Suzi tandemtrio@... wrote: > Suzi... and others who are vermicomposting... > > Are you adding wheatgrass mats to your compost bin? Most of the information > I have read about vermicomposting suggests a short, wide bin, as opposed to a > taller, more space saving bin (such as a plastic trash barrel). > > If I use a short, wide bin, I'd run out of composting space for the number of > wheatgrass mats I need to recycle. > > Ann Wigmore recommended a tall garbage can with holes drilled in it, in her > wheatgrass book (for indoors composting), but this is very different from what > vermicomposting sites are recommending. > > Does anyone have experience with this? > > I live in Northern Utah, where temperature can get pretty extreme in either > direction between summer and winter. I wonder if the red wrigglers can handle > Utah weather in an outdoors garden composting bin(?) Actually, our garden is > a distance from the house, and with the snow, it's unlikely I'd get the > kitchen scraps to the outside bin during those cold months... I'd opt for an inside > bin. Would the outside worms survive? Do they hibernate? > > Jill > > > > ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hi Suzi and Ernest, Suzi, I can't remember if I replied to your generous offering of information in your reply to my question. (I had internet challenges, and I hardly remember what happened BC -- Before Challenge). Anyway... I liked your idea of keeping the produce scrapes a little larger, thus keeping air spaces available. Knowing your trouble with the trash cans, I may decide to build some wooden stacking boxes that I found on an internet site. And Ernest, I really appreciate knowing about the effect of egg shells on the ph of the soil, and how to prepare them. This is really a very helpful site. Thanks so much to you all for sharing your knowledge and experience. Jill ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 It is great fun to learn new things. One thing I'm working on with my worm bins is an idea for a way to sprout seeds using the worms. I've had a lot of scraps take off and grow in the bins. But by the time I dig the plant back out, I've usually broken it. But I have been amazed at how many seeds have sprouted, even tough ones like peach pits, avocado pits etc. I received some tropical seeds today that are supposed to take weeks to come up. So I'm putting some of them inside one of my easy sprouters with some mulch designed for starting seeds. I'm going to lay it inside of the worm bin so that the moisture will stay just right. I'll check on them every few days after the first week and see if it cuts the time for them to come up. Suzi tandemtrio@... wrote: > Hi Suzi and Ernest, > > Suzi, I can't remember if I replied to your generous offering of information > in your reply to my question. (I had internet challenges, and I hardly > remember what happened BC -- Before Challenge). > > Anyway... I liked your idea of keeping the produce scrapes a little larger, > thus keeping air spaces available. Knowing your trouble with the trash cans, I > may decide to build some wooden stacking boxes that I found on an internet > site. > > And Ernest, I really appreciate knowing about the effect of egg shells on the > ph of the soil, and how to prepare them. > > This is really a very helpful site. Thanks so much to you all for sharing > your knowledge and experience. > > Jill > > > > ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Hi, I made friends with the manager of Souplantation (a salad bar type restaurant) and he saves for me all the prep scraps that I can use. Prep scraps are from the kitchen created while getting food ready to go out on the line. It is not garbage from the table scraps. Look around where you are and see what opportuneties that there are. ernie Re: Introduction Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:34:59 -0500 Dawn, I'd ask for it. When I lived in California I did dumpster five at a local road side fruit stand. They would throw out water melons when they get old. Worms LOVE watermelon. If you hurry, you can order them from places online. But you don't want it to get too hot for shipping reasons. They ride around in a truck for a few days. Otherwise, you might find them at some sort of fishing worm supplier. I order them from a place called acme worm farm. Just google it and it will come right up. They double their numbers every couple of months in right conditions. It's fascinating to watch. I used to see my worms devour a whole Sunday Newspaper in just about 6 weeks a long with kitchen scraps put in daily. I take out the shiny pages and only put in the flat black or color is ok now as the law has forced food grade coloring. Suzi Dawn wrote: > That's a great idea! Where would I get red worms? Can I buy them > somewhere? And do I ask at the store for the overripe produce or do > I have to dumpster dive?(doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun to > me!) > > Thanks! > > Dawn > > > >>>> >>>> >>>>> Hi, My name is Dawn and I live in Orem, Utah with my husband >>>>> > and > >>>>> >>>>> >>> 5 >>> >>> >>>>> kids ages 8,6,5,4 & 2. I have been investigating healthier >>>>> >>>>> >>> eating and >>> >>> >>>>> the whole " eat it raw " thing and have recently been given the >>>>> opportunity to begin sprouting. I am intrigued. I am very >>>>> >>>>> >>> interested >>> >>> >>>>> in feeding my family more healthfuly and am told that eating >>>>> >>>>> >>> healthier >>> >>> >>>>> food is cheaper than all of the processed stuff. My kids LOVE >>>>> > to > >>>>> >>>>> >>> eat >>> >>> >>>>> and are sure that they are starving 30 minutes after eating. >>>>> > So, > >>>>> >>>>> >>> I am >>> >>> >>>>> ready to try just about anything. I am hoping to get a garden >>>>> > in > >>>>> >>>>> >>> this >>> >>> >>>>> year---we have a lot of work to do to get the garden area >>>>> > ready. > >>>>> Looking forward to learning from and sharing with you all! >>>>> >>>>> Dawn in Orem >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2007 Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 In a message dated 4/26/2007 11:10:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time, april@... writes: -April and family Congratulations April and Family!! You begin a journey of joy, laughter, tears and surprises. Just like with your other two!! You have joined a group full of wise and wonderful mom's and dad's who can share a wealth of information with you as well as commiserate with you when needed. Our 6 year old with DS we chose...He is adopted and we are so thankful to be blessed by this wonderful little boy who constantly surprises, amazes and amuses us. Enjoy little Iris just as your third precious child for the moment. She is first and foremost your baby. The best piece of advice I could give you would be to say " trust your instincts " you are Iris's mom for a reason. No one, I repeat, no one, knows what is best for her except you. Trust that and you will do just fine. Welcome to the group!! Loree ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2007 Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 Our pediatrician couldn't hear anything unusual with our little girl either (Corie, now 11), but she did have a rather complicated heart problem that required surgery at 4 mos. So you are wise to go ahead and get it checked out. Her surgical outcome was excellent and today she is healthy and happy. If some sort of surgery is necessary, just realize that those procedures have become very refined with extremely high success rates. _____ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of April Auburn Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 11:05 AM Subject: Introduction Hello! My name is April. I have three children: a five year old daughter, -, a two year old son, , and our new baby Iris, who is three weeks old today. Iris has Down Syndrome. I'm still trying to learn what this will mean for us. So far I'm just working on the usual adjustments that come with welcoming a new family member. My older children are trying to adjust to sharing my attention with the new baby. My two year old is being a typical two year old. We have had lots of family visiting since the time of her birth. My parents left on Monday, so we are now on our own for the first time since Iris was born. My husband works pretty long hours, so I'm on my own with the kids most of the day. Fortunately he is planning to take time off from work for doctor's appointments with Iris. Our pediatrician didn't hear anything unusual when he listened to her heart, but we have an appointment with cardiologist to be sure all is well. Nursing has been slightly more challenging with Iris than it was with my first two children, but we seem to be doing pretty well by now. If we do run into problems, there is a good lactation consultant in our pediatrician's office. I am glad that Iris is not our first child. I think it is easier for me to handle this with some prior parenting experience. Down Syndrome caught us by surprise, but by now I know that all children are full of surprises and will bring new challenges, even when they have the usual number of chromosomes. -April and family Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2007 Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 Congratulations April and Family! Welcome to the world Iris! Barb - Mom to , and Sam w/ds, wife to Mark Introduction Hello! My name is April. I have three children: a five year old daughter, -, a two year old son, , and our new baby Iris, who is three weeks old today. Iris has Down Syndrome. I'm still trying to learn what this will mean for us. So far I'm just working on the usual adjustments that come with welcoming a new family member. My older children are trying to adjust to sharing my attention with the new baby. My two year old is being a typical two year old. We have had lots of family visiting since the time of her birth. My parents left on Monday, so we are now on our own for the first time since Iris was born. My husband works pretty long hours, so I'm on my own with the kids most of the day. Fortunately he is planning to take time off from work for doctor's appointments with Iris. Our pediatrician didn't hear anything unusual when he listened to her heart, but we have an appointment with cardiologist to be sure all is well. Nursing has been slightly more challenging with Iris than it was with my first two children, but we seem to be doing pretty well by now. If we do run into problems, there is a good lactation consultant in our pediatrician's office. I am glad that Iris is not our first child. I think it is easier for me to handle this with some prior parenting experience. Down Syndrome caught us by surprise, but by now I know that all children are full of surprises and will bring new challenges, even when they have the usual number of chromosomes. -April and family Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2007 Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 ditto below, same exact thing. Nic is 10 now. welcome! I love the name Iris Di Introduction > > > > Hello! > My name is April. I have three children: a five year old daughter, > -, a two year old son, , and our new baby Iris, who is > three weeks old today. Iris has Down Syndrome. I'm still trying to > learn what this will mean for us. So far I'm just working on the > usual adjustments that come with welcoming a new family member. My > older children are trying to adjust to sharing my attention with the > new baby. My two year old is being a typical two year old. We have > had lots of family visiting since the time of her birth. My parents > left on Monday, so we are now on our own for the first time since > Iris was born. My husband works pretty long hours, so I'm on my own > with the kids most of the day. Fortunately he is planning to take > time off from work for doctor's appointments with Iris. Our > pediatrician didn't hear anything unusual when he listened to her > heart, but we have an appointment with cardiologist to be sure all > is well. Nursing has been slightly more challenging with Iris than > it was with my first two children, but we seem to be doing pretty > well by now. If we do run into problems, there is a good lactation > consultant in our pediatrician's office. > I am glad that Iris is not our first child. I think it is easier for > me to handle this with some prior parenting experience. Down > Syndrome caught us by surprise, but by now I know that all children > are full of surprises and will bring new challenges, even when they > have the usual number of chromosomes. > -April and family > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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