If you’ve tried – and failed – growing Ficus indoors, you may be tempted to give up the seemingly hopeless battle. Before you do, check out these helpful tips from the experts at Millcreek Gardens.

The Ficus Benjamina is a stubborn houseplant that can be as challenging as making a soufflé that doesn’t fall. But, much like the perfect soufflé, it’s all about using the right ingredients and technique.

Why We Love the Headstrong Ficus Benjamina Plant

The lovely plant we know as the Ficus is technically known as a weeping fig, and it’s closely related to the rubber tree. Its official name if Ficus Benjamina or just F. Benjamina.

When planted outdoors, these tree-like varietals grow to epic proportions. When cultivated inside, their size will be constrained by their pot or container.

Caring for Your Indoor Ficus Plant

Ficus love plenty of sunlight but it must be indirect. Otherwise, the leaves can burn. They also need warmth. Situate your plant away from any potential drafts or temperature fluctuation.

Only water when the top layer of soil has dried out. Ensure that your container and potting mix have great drainage. If the plant’s roots become too waterlogged, it will struggle. Mist the foliage regularly but take care not to overdo it.

Weekly watering should be sufficient. Always use room-temperature water and pour off any that collects in the containers catch plate.

Pruning may be necessary on occasion, to maintain a healthy plant size and shape. Fertilization is a must, but only during the active growth season.

Avoid These Natural Enemies of F. Benjamina

Ficus has a nasty reputation for being temperamental. Sadly, this lovely plant is simply misunderstood. If you take care to avoid its natural enemies, it should provide no trouble at all in your home, and live happily ever after.

For F. Benjamina, it’s all about consistency.

Unless you maintain a consistently high level of humidity, the plant will unceremoniously drop its leaves and die. The same goes for watering. Too much or too little water and boom! the leaves begin to shed. Temperature and light? Consistency is key.

At the first sign of stress, the Ficus becomes especially prone to pest invasion. Watch closely for “honeydew” or sap dripping from the leaves, as this means they’ve arrived. Treat the plant with neem oil for the most effective eradication.

At Millcreek Gardens, we often hear grumblings from our customers who struggle to keep their finicky plants healthy and lush. Fortunately, our friendly and helpful staff members are all experts in all facets of growing plants, shrubs and trees. Stop in today and let us help you regain control in the battle of the fussy houseplants.

In no time, we will have you growing Ficus indoors like a champ!

An herb garden is the perfect way to add fresh, healthy flavors to your family meals. It’s also a fun project for the entire family and the perfect way to introduce your kids to the wonderful world of gardening.
 
Unfortunately, busy schedules and frenzied lives prevent many would-be gardeners from attempting to grow fresh herbs, fruits and veggies at home.
 
For a quick and easy approach to herb gardening, try this surprisingly simple do-it-yourself method of raised bed growing.
 
Quick and Easy No-Dig Raised Beds? Seriously?
 
This is honestly one of the most innovative approaches to raised bed gardening we’ve seen in a long time, and one you’re sure to love.
 
Using bags of potting soil and raised platforms, you can complete the entire project in an hour or two, and that includes shopping for supplies!
 
Using this method, you don’t have to lay out or build your raised planting beds, you don’t have to dig in the ground or mix in soil amendments, and you don’t have to battle with weeds.
 
Choose a location for your raised beds that will receive the proper amount of sun for your plant species, and where they will be adequately protected from pets and other natural predators.
 
Gather These Simple Supplies
 
For each mini-bed, you’ll need one large bag (2 cubic feet) of potting soil and a platform for it to rest on.
 
For your platform, you can use virtually any surface that will facilitate drainage. Two saw horses with a heavy duty screen or pallet will work, as will any outdoor furniture that allows water to flow through.
 
Creative types might use an old baker’s rack or potting bench as a platform, but you can simply place the bags on the ground too, if you don’t mind bending over to work on them.
 
You’ll need some scissors, a small garden rake and trowel, and your seeds or seedlings. And that’s it!
 
Planting Your Herbs, Fruits and Veggies
 
Begin by carefully poking a dozen or so small holes in one side of the unopened bag of potting soil, to facilitate drainage. Place the bag, hole side down, on the platform. Using your scissors, carefully cut away a rectangle-shaped portion of the bag’s top surface, leaving a three-inch border of plastic on all four sides.
 
Using your small rake, carefully break up any dirt clods, to ensure that the soil has plenty of aeration.
 
Now, simply create holes or indentations in the dirt for your seeds or seedlings, drop them in, and cover them up.
 
Repeat this process for each mini-bed and, when everything is planted, give them all a nice, gentle watering.
 
Maintain your plants as appropriate for whatever you’re growing, by watering, misting and fertilizing when needed.
 
What Can I Grow in This Easy Herb Garden?
 
With few exceptions, you can grow whatever you’d like in these simple raised beds.
 
Bear in mind that these are single-use planting beds that you will use for compost once the growing season is done. Consequently, choose annual plants unless you don’t mind moving and repotting them in the fall.
 
Virtually any type of herb will thrive in this environment, as will salad greens, peppers and even tomatoes!
 
Once you try this stunningly simple approach, you’ll wonder why you ever considered doing it any other way!
 
In Salt Lake City, Millcreek Gardens has everything you need to create your ideal garden or landscape. As a locally owned and operated plant nursery, we are committed to our customer care and satisfaction.
 
Stop by today and let our experienced staff help you create the ideal herb garden this year!

Many gardeners grow flowers in their outdoor beds from springtime until fall. But, when winter’s cold winds blow, it becomes challenging to keep outdoor blossoms coming.
 
Fortunately, you can enjoy the beauty of flowering plants all year long, by creating an indoor flower garden. All you need are a few pots or containers, an aerated planting mixture and some indoor-friendly plant species.
 
Before you know it, your home will be filled with the vibrant colors and scents of spring and summer blossoms!
 
Choosing the Best Indoor Flowering Plants
 
Because you can control the growing environment, you can cultivate most of your favorite outdoor plants indoors as well.
 
Some of our favorites include miniature rose bushes (or even full-sized versions, if you really prefer them), begonias, African violets, Cape primrose, purple shamrock (oxalis) and geraniums.
 
If you prefer a simpler approach, consider a blooming species of cactus or bromeliad. Christmas cactus is beautiful and low-maintenance. In the bromeliad family, Guzmania produces stunning blossoms and sends out “pups” that can be separated for starting new plants.
 
Finding the Perfect Location
 
Depending on which flowering plants you choose for your indoor garden, be sure you set them up for success.
 
Sun-loving geraniums or purple hearts will thrive near a south-facing window that provides several hours of direct light each day. Place several small pots on the kitchen windowsill to brighten up even the dreariest of days.
 
Oxalis, impatiens and African violets prefer a more filtered type of light, and will do well near an east-facing window.
 
Take care to avoid any spot that’s too drafty, and keep an eye on your plants to make sure they don’t become too leggy (a sure sign they aren’t receiving enough sunlight).
 
Find Containers That You – and Your Plants – Will Love
 
One of the best parts of indoor plants is the ability to choose the perfect pot or container. The sky’s the limit on how you can enhance your home’s décor using whimsical containers or found treasures for growing your flowering plants.
 
Whatever containers you choose, be sure the plant will have plenty of drainage. Most flowering plant species grow best when the soil is able to dry out somewhat between waterings. You can drill or punch holes in metal, wood and most plastic containers, if they don’t already exist. Just be sure to place a saucer or catch tray underneath the pot, to avoid water damage in your home.
 
Millcreek Gardens, serving Salt Lake City and the surrounding communities of northern Utah, has everything you need to create a colorful indoor garden. From containers to potting soil and all the plant species you love, we can supply everything you need to grow flowers indoors, all year long!

When you hear Julie Andrews’ name, rosebushes may not be the first thing that comes to mind. So you might be surprised to know that this star of stage and screen has advice to give besides how a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.
 
Ms. Andrews is actually quite an expert when it comes to rosebushes. Today, we are pleased to offer some of her top tips for growing the most beautiful roses in your garden, worthy of even Capt. Von Trapp!
 
Nursery Know-how
 
Ms. Andrews recommends touring your local nursery to become familiar with roses that are best for growing in your local area, including the varieties, the growing methods and the anatomy of the rosebushes.
 
She advises picking the nursery experts’ brains too, to learn all you can about growing roses, and maybe even pick up a book or two. This way you can learn how to play to your own strengths and what will work best in your particular garden.
 
Pruning Perfection
 
If you’re going to grow roses, then you have no choice but to become accustomed to pruning.
 
Roses require a lot of pruning, and the more you know and practice, the more beautiful your roses will be. Ms. Andrews says that pruning her own roses helps her to “forget everything else.”
 
So, channel Ms. Andrews and find you own inner pruning Zen.
 
Climate Control
 
You also must become familiar with the types of roses that will grow best in your climate.
 
Who knows, you may find a lesser-known rose that you can incorporate into your landscape that will bring you joy and add a stunning beauty you didn’t expect.
 
Know Your Limits
 
Gardens develop according to nature’s laws, and it’s important to understand that you can’t control everything.
 
You can have a vision of what you want your garden to become, but make sure you observe and listen to it, and understand the direction it needs to go. You will be limited by size and climate, no matter what, so be realistic about what you can successfully incorporate.
 
Love Thy Neighbor’s Garden
 
Ms. Andrews encourages us to love, appreciate and learn from others’ gardens.
 
Whether it is at a grand estate or a little garden off a back patio, you can always find beauty in what others have cultivated. Take walks and see other gardens in your community, as they may serve as inspiration for your own garden.
 
Your rose garden can be a source of perpetual joy. Knowing how to raise your roses the right way is a learning process, but one that can be mastered with only a little effort.
 
Drop by Millcreek Gardens in Salt Lake City — northern Utah’s premier garden center where roses are a specialty. Our knowledgeable staff is happy to let you pick their brains and answer any questions you have about the care and cultivation of your rosebushes.

Today, we extol the virtues of using climbing plants to diversify – and beautify – your garden and landscaping.
 
Gardening is such a popular pastime because it provides an outlet for expression while improving the earth’s beauty and atmosphere. By incorporating a variety of plants, you encourage biodiversity and provide a refuge for beneficial insects and local wildlife.
 
If you haven’t experimented with climbing plants yet, you will be delighted by what you can accomplish with even one or two different species.
 
Why Choose Climbing Plants?
 
Climbing plants are hardy, really adaptable and can be used in a variety of ways. These plants can be used for privacy, for beauty or for shade – whatever your little gardening heart desires!
 
As an added bonus, many species are perennial, which means you can enjoy their beauty year after year.
 
Boston Ivy
 
These plants are perfect for creating a living wall or covering a fence. Boston ivy grows best in full sun and turns a beautiful red color in the fall. It doesn’t require wires or a trellis to spread.
 
Planting Boston ivy is the perfect way to turn your home or garden into a cozy English cottage!
 
Wisteria
 
This climbing plant smells wonderful.
 
It has very delicate, feather-like leaves that make it a dramatic addition to any garden. It goes with almost any style of garden or landscape, too. The only thing you need to consider is that wisteria can take three to five years to flower after they are planted.
 
Some payoffs are more than worth the wait, and wisteria is definitely one of those.
 
Chinese Star Jasmine
 
It’s jasmine, so you know the scent of the blooms on this climber are going to be out of this world.
 
This variety of jasmine is ideal for novice gardeners because it can grow well in many different locations, from full to partial sun, and even in restricted water conditions. Plus, the leaves stay green all year long.
 
This is a truly great addition to any garden.
 
Bougainvillea
 
A climbing classic, bougainvillea offers very bright and bold colors that range from pink to purple, deep red to golden tones.
 
These climbers are very tough plants, so it’s a good choice if you’re a novice gardener. This plant does have some nasty thorns though, so you must be careful with how you prune it.
 
Grapevine
 
Have you heard it through the grapevine – that this plant is a winner?
 
Grapevine offers great seasonal color and provides you with your very own grapes! Plus, it can provide shade in the summer or the winter. If the fruit version is too much for your garden, you can select a non-fruiting version instead
 
No matter what you wish to accomplish in your garden, you can’t go wrong with climbing plants.
 
In Salt Lake City, Millcreek Gardens is home to the highest quality, most beautiful perennial flowers, trees, shrubs and – of course – a wide variety of climbing plants!

Sometimes it’s just plain hard to tell a garden disease from a pest problem, when
something goes wrong in with your plants.
 
But, just as with most issues in life, identifying the problem is the first step to fixing it.
Read on for some tips and tricks for troubleshooting your garden or landscape ills.
 
Step 1: Look for Symptoms of Disease
 
When we say that your plants are diseased, it means they are infected with some sort of
bacteria, virus or fungi.
 
Here are some of the most common ways your plants can be affected by disease:

• Blights. This is when the branches, leaves, flowers or stems of the plant wilt,
  wither and then die.
• Cankers. This mostly impacts woody plants and it will produce sunken, dead
  looking patches on the stems and branches. They can ooze, and often what they
  ooze is sticky and can smell bad.
• Galls. This produces overgrown patches that almost look like swelling on the
  leaves or the stem tissues of plants.
• Leaf curl. Pretty much exactly as it sounds with this you will notice discolored and
  possibly deformed leaves.
• Leaf spots. The name says it all. Irregular areas on the leaves that can be any
  color.
• Mildew. You will notice dusty gray, white or purple patches on the top or
  underside of the leaves.
• Rots. If the plant tissue is soft, discolored or it’s dying it can be caused by a fungi
  or bacteria.
• Rusts. These will be orange or yellow coatings or spots.

Step 2: Look for Evidence of Pests
 
If you know what to look for, you should be able to tell what – if anything – is literally
eating your plants. Three common classifications of pests will attack your garden. These
are:

• Sucking pests. These pests like to remove the sap of plant tissues. You can tell
  you have these pests by wilting leaves, curling, new growth distortion, spots,
  growth stunting, or a sticky substance on the leaves. Commonly, aphids,
  mealybugs, whiteflies, scale insects and spider mites cause this type of damage.
• Chewing pests like to eat the leaves and stems of the plant or burrow into plant
  tissue. You may notice holes in the leaves, missing leaf tissue, silvering on the
  leaf or burrowing in stems, trunks or branches. Tent caterpillars, webworms,
  bagworms, beetles and borers do this type of damage.
• Boring pests. These pests aren’t dull, and they like to attack trees and shrubs by
  boring into the plant. You may notice sawdust, at the base of the plant caused
  from the boring. Asian ambrosia beetles are an example of this pest.

Step 3: Seek Additional Resources
 
Unfortunately, as you may have guessed, it can be hard to tell the difference between
curling, withered leaves that have been victimized by pests as opposed to disease.
 
One of the best resources for additional information as well as helpful photos is the USU
Extension. You can check their pest and diseases page, or even take advantage of their
diagnostic desk.
 
Of course, the knowledgeable staff at Millcreek Gardens can also help. Contact us
today to learn more about how we can help you keep your landscape and plants healthy
year around, and avoid pests and garden disease.

Have you considered creating a lovely backyard garden from your old, unwanted swimming pool?
 
It sounds like a big ordeal, you say? It’s not bad if you’re a handy do-it-yourselfer. If you’d rather not do the work yourself, you can always hire a contractor to handle the heavy lifting.
 
If your pool is unwanted or in need of costly repairs, this is the perfect renovation project for you. And the results will provide you with a beautiful garden that you can enjoy for many summers to come.
 
Here is what you need to know about turning your old in-ground pool into a true gardener’s Shangri-La.
 

Getting Started

 
Like any major project, your pool-to-garden conversion depends on proper planning and a solid strategy. Although your yard may have special or unique needs, you can expect to need the following list of materials and tools, if you plan to do the work yourself.

• Gravel
• Fill dirt
• Soil
• Topsoil
• Rake
• Garden plans
• Mechanical tamper
• Plants of your choice

You will also need fill dirt, garden and topsoil, as well as a shovels, wheelbarrows and a crew of folks with strong backs.
 
Or, you can do what many homeowners do, and hire a contractor. You may want to talk with a landscape designer or architect if you need advice or help with design and layout ideas.
 

To Demo First, Or Not?

 
In many cases, homeowners simply drain the pool, drill drainage holes through the bottom, and add fill materials. As an alternative, you can have your contractor break down the pool’s walls and use the demolished materials as the start of the fill process.
 
The right move here depends largely on the soil drainage in your area, local building codes and your budget. Let’s assume for now that you’ll be doing the fill yourself.
 

How to Fill

 
Coarse fill dirt is the best option for the bottom of the hole.
 
This type of fill dirt has pieces of construction debris in it (masonry, large stones, etc.) and that will help to keep the hole from sinking as it settles. It will also help improve drainage.
 
Fill your pool about three-fourths of the way up with the coarse stuff, more if your pool was deep enough for diving.
 
If you plan to plant trees, use less coarse fill because their deep roots require a larger layer of fine quality soil. Flowers and grasses will do just fine with a couple of feet of good soil.
 
On top of the coarse fill soil, add a layer of gravel. This also helps improve drainage and to fills out any irregularities.
 
Next, use a mechanical tamper to tamp down the fill dirt and gravel until it’s firm and compact. It should feel stable and not shift or depress when you walk on top of it.
 
Now, use two to three feet of good quality soil, followed by a nice layer of topsoil on to finish. Now, you’re ready to plant!
 

A Final Word of Warning

 
This is a big project and we want to make sure you stay all nice and legal-like.
 
Before starting your project, check with your local building department to see if you need a building or demolition permit. Local zoning and planning ordinances may have something to say about filling in your pool.
 
It’s also a good idea to hire an inspector or engineer to check your pool for any potential structural issues. They may also provide a list of recommendations for filling the pool in correctly. And, of course, always use the utmost caution when working with large amounts of dirt and heavy machinery.
 
We want to be sure you’re able to enjoy your new garden for years to come!
 
Millcreek Gardens in Salt Lake City has all the plants, gardening supplies and helpful advice you’ll ever need for your landscape and garden. From annual flowering plants to large shade trees, visit us today to get started on your backyard garden project.

Permaculture, a common term for the principles of sustainable gardening has been practiced for centuries throughout the world. Lately, however, this term has become a buzzword in the gardening community.
 
If you’re new to these concepts, you may find a host of great ideas that you can incorporate into your gardening practices. Read on to learn about permaculture and the benefits of sustainable gardening!
 
Defining the Terms
 
No doubt you’ve heard the term organic, but what does it mean?
 
The term organic essentially describes the principles of growing plants and food without using chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers not made from organic materials. These chemicals, when used incorrectly, can harm the environment.
 
Organic gardening uses a diversity of plants, compost and insects that are good for the garden to keep the soil, and thus the plants, healthy.
 
Sustainability describes those techniques that work together with the environment. These techniques help to minimize any negative effects on the environment, while simultaneously improving the health and output of your plants.
 
Permaculture combines principles of agriculture with cultural practices. More than just a way to grow things in your garden, permaculture is a lifestyle of sorts.
 
Creating an energy-efficient home, recycling, growing your own food, raising your own animals, catching rainwater, building community gardens and even restoring landscapes and ecosystems that have been impacted by pollution are all examples of sustainable practices and permaculture.
 
Is Permaculture Right for You?
 
You don’t have to go overboard and toss out everything you’ve done in the past, in order to incorporate more sustainable gardening techniques. In fact, it’s a good idea to start slowly. Here are a few ideas you may want to try.
 

• Compost your lawn. When you mow, leave the clippings on the ground. This technique will feed your lawn and help reduce your need for chemical fertilizers.
• Use organic sprays. You don’t have to bomb pests and disease out of your garden with chemicals. People have gardened for centuries before the advent of these sprays. Try your hand at more natural pesticides, like baking soda solutions, to help your garden to maintain a more natural balance.
• Double dig it! Double digging involves taking out the first foot of topsoil from your garden and adding it to your compost heap. Next, dig another foot down to aerate your soil, and mix in some compost or natural soil amendments. This will improve the way the soil retains nutrients help improve drainage.
• Worm composting. This is a great technique for converting your kitchen waste into odor-free and very useful compost.
  Backyard composting. This is another popular way to turn your kitchen and yard waste into compost for your garden.

Don’t be intimidated by permaculture. It’s good for us and for the Earth, but it’s especially beneficial for your garden. You can do a little or a lot, but doing anything at all is a move in the right direction!
 
Millcreek Gardens is your locally owned and operated greenhouse, plant nursery and garden center. Visit us today for all of your gardening supplies, outdoor plants and landscaping trees. While you’re here, talk with our expert staff about starting your own permaculture practices.

Community gardens are popping up in neighborhoods all across the United States.
 
Despite their growing popularity, some communities aren’t sure how the process works. Read on to learn more about this concept. Maybe you’ll want to start your own neighborhood communal gardening project!
 
What is a Community Garden?
 
The concept is pretty basic: A community garden is simply a plot of land planted, tended and harvested by a collection of people working together.
 
The motivation behind this communal approach can vary, from location to location. In some large cities, such as Boston, community members create neighborhood gardens because most homes lack sufficient yard space for private gardens.
 
In other cities, people use this as a way to get to know their neighbors as well as produce their own fresh produce.
 
Finding the Perfect Location
 
This is probably the trickiest part of establishing your own communal growing site.
 
If you have an empty lot in your neighborhood, especially if it’s an eyesore or collection spot for trash dumps, contact the owner and inquire about using that spot. Or, if one of your neighbors has some extra space on their lot, they may be willing to host the garden.
 
You can also check for any city-owned parcels in the area. These make perfect infill gardens. You may have to meet specific criteria, such as adding a fence or providing liability waivers, but many cities are excited to partner with neighborhoods on this type of project.
 
What is Required in a Typical Growing Season?
 
If you decide to participate in or create a community garden, you can plan on tending and harvesting your fruits and veggies at least seven months out of the year. If you select early- or late-producing species, you can extend that even further.
 
Here are some basic tasks for getting started. You can break the assignments up between you and your neighbors, or you can dedicate a few hours each weekend to working on the project together.

• Prepare the plot. If possible, clear your plot of land and add soil amendments early in the season. The healthier the soil, the healthier your plants will be.
• Plant. Plan your garden plot out in advance, to five the plants plenty of space to grow adequately. You do not want to overcrowd your plants!
• Water. Utah can be pretty wet in the spring (especially in this El Nino year!), but seedlings will still need to be watered by hand daily until they sprout. This can take up to 20 days, depending on the plant species.
• Weed. You don’t want your plot to be overtaken by weeds, so diligence is needed to keep them at bay. Weeding early in the season means less work later!
• Harvest. As plants begin to bear fruit, be sure to harvest them promptly. Otherwise they may fall prey to animals, pests or marauding passers-by.
• Winter Preparation. When the growing season comes to an end, remove dead plants and clear your plot. You will also need to replenish the soil by loosening it up and adding compost to it.

How Much Time Do You Need?
 
The more time you are able to invest in your garden the better it will turn out. Basically, you can expect to spend about this much time per activity:

• Plot Prep and Weeding – two hours per week in the spring and summer, one hour per week in the fall.
• Watering – one hour per week in the spring, five hours per week in the summer and little to no watering in the fall.
• Planting – expect to spend one to two hours per week in the spring, five hours per week in the summer and about a half hour each week in the fall.
• Harvesting – plan on about one hour per week in the spring and summer, and one or two hours per week in the fall, depending on your plants.

In the Salt Lake City area, Millcreek Gardens has everything you need for starting and maintaining your garden. Visit us today and let our friendly team of experts help you get started on your community gardens!

Garden composting is a critical component of organic gardening, providing you with rich soil that’s safe for your plants.
 
Vermicomposting uses earthworms to create fertilizer and soil conditioner from garden waste and kitchen scraps. Worms are a highly effective means to create compost that’s rich in nutrients and extremely kind to the environment.
 
Many gardeners have already adopted this approach to composting.
 
How Worm Composting Differs from Traditional Methods
 
All compost efforts require four key ingredients: green material (plant cuttings and kitchen scraps), brown material (dead leaves, straw, shredded paper), air and water.
 
The chemical process of vermicomposting works like traditional composting, but the worms handle the turning process, which adds air to fuel the breakdown. This means you don’t have to turn your pile, and it virtually eliminates the risk that your pile will heat up and catch fire.
 
The compost that results from using worms is preferable to many gardeners as well. Traditional compost is composed of larger, chunkier pieces and a coarse texture, while vermicompost is fine and granular, and more versatile in the garden.
 
Selecting Your Containers
 
You can use any commercially produced worm bin, but you can also create your own quickly and easily.
 
The size of your bin will depend on where you plan to store it. If you prefer to keep it outside, ensure that it’s in a sheltered area, shaded from the sun and protected from frost. During the cold months, you may prefer to bring your bins into the garage or basement.
 
Although you can use a variety of materials for your bins, look for something that will last for several years. Metal bins can rust as well as release heavy metals into your compost. Wood rots quickly, and some types emit an oily residue that can harm the worms.
 
Most experts recommend using heavy-duty plastic for worm bins. Look for bins that are 8 to 12 inches deep.
 
Your containers will need ventilation above the soil line or in the lid, as well as drainage holes in the bottom and a collection tray for the liquid runoff, known as chelate. In addition to the compost, chelate works as a fertilizing liquid and pest deterrent for your outdoor plants.
 
Above all else, make sure your bins won’t allow your precious worker worms to escape!
 
Choosing Your Worms
 
Traditional nightcrawlers won’t work for this purpose. Instead, most experts recommend using redworms (also known as red wigglers) and manure worms.
 
To determine how many you need, collect your kitchen scraps (vegetable matter only!) for a week. Weigh it and divide by seven to determine your average daily volume. For every daily pound, you need about two pounds of worms (approximately 2,000).
 
You may want to start out with a lower number, as your worms will reproduce prolifically if you feed them well.
 
Millcreek Gardens of Salt Lake City is your locally owned and operated garden center. Our expert staff can answer any questions and help you select the ideal plants, trees, rose bushes and gardening supplies for your needs.
 
Stop in and see us today to learn more about garden composting, fertilizers and soil amendments.