214 Your New Friend, the Soldier Fly. Worm Bins. Slow Compost Cure.

Garden Basics # 214 Soldier Flies, Improving Slow Compost If you have a compost pile, or especially a worm bin, you may have seen a scary looking critter: an inch-long wasp-like creature. That’s the soldier fly. But are they good for your compost pile or worm bin? Some gardeners swear by them. Some swear at them. Today, we talk with a big proponent of soldier flies about them, and we delve deep into some of their many benefits. Also, we answer a listener’s question about how to speed up the composting process. We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots . And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go! Previous episodes, links, product information, and transcripts at the new home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net . Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout Pictured: Soldier Fly on a Worm Bin Links: Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/ Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/ Napa Co. Master Gardener Penny Pawl: The Soldier Fly Marches On Napa Co. Master Gardener Penny Pawl: African Keyhole Gardening 5 Steps to Quick Compost: The Rapid Composting Method Compost Tumblers Harvest Day, Aug. 6, at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center Got a garden question? • Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe , at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics • Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. • Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net • E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com All About Farmer Fred: The GardenBasics.net website The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter, Beyond the Basics https://gardenbasics.substack.com Farmer Fred website : http://farmerfred.com Daily Garden tips and snark on Twitter https://twitter.com/farmerfred The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" Instagram: farmerfredhoffman https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/ Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube As an Amazon Associate , I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here. And thank you for listening. Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter .