No, I lay the cardboard right on the ground. Once it is there, rainfall, irrigation and all kinds of little critters will break it down pretty quickly. You can cut it to fit between plants, using the biggest scissors you have or a box cutter knife. I can't imagine trying to shred it. If you're worried rainfall or irrigation will be repelled and won't make it to the ground underneath, you needn't be. Cardboard absorbs moisture pretty quickly and doesn't impede water absorption in the ground underneath. Cardboard is the best soilbuilder I've ever found as it attracts all sort of decomposer-type insects and everything they decompose and then excrete from their bodies helps build and improve your soil. Earthworm castings (that's a fancy name for Earthworm poop_ are very expensive to buy but they're great for improving soil...and that's one reason we all like to encourage earthworms, because they'll give us an endless supply of earthworm castings.

sqh1, I never said charging people for worms was obscene. I said charging people 30 or 40 bucks for a lb of them is obscene. I'm sure it takes time and effort and space to make high quality compost or mulch, but I've never seen it go for more than 10 dollars a lb. Why should something that breeds prolifically and can be found almost anywhere if the conditions suit it right be charged anymore? Btw, if you do plan on buying red wigglers, this site had worms for the cheapest price I could find on the internet, 15 per lb. http://carolsearthwares.com/

VermiScum, hate to say it but your size is far larger than almost all of us on this board. You may have to resort to some experimentation with this one. The link in the second post mentions IR not bothering worms. This passes a quick common sense test in my mind - longer wave length, less energy, less damaging to cells. There are several IR cameras now available and even some IR vision sets. There are also low light amplification systems out there. Both are the basis for methods of night vision. Both can get really expensive quickly though. Two cheap IR systems that jump to mind are game trail cameras for hunting and some baby-monitors with video feeds. Something like this may allow you to test it and return it if it does not work as required then step up in quality as you need.

Composting can be the best thing you can do for your garden. The advantages of feeding the microbial soil life with a steady supply of organic materials has benefits that chemical fertilizers can not match. The options available to you are many. Hot compost, cold compost, leaf mold, Interbay Mulch. Many roads to the same end result, which is well-rotted, rich organic material to enhance and feed the soil. You can also use the finished, composted material to brew "teas" to water the plants with. Recent research has been showing this to be a very powerful tool to naturally protect your plants from a wide variety of diseases and blights. A few of the major composting methods that are employed by home gardeners are: Cold Compost Pile: A pile which is made up of greens and browns and then left alone to rot in place for several months to several years. Hot or Active Compost Pile: A pile which is made up of greens and browns and then turned and aerated often to incorporate air, water, and/or fresh ingredients. Require more effort but often results in finished compost within a several weeks to a few months. Sheet Composting or "Lasagna" Bed: Also known as Interbay Mulch. A specific sort of compost pile in which green and brown materials are built up in lasagna style layers over a present or future garden bed site. Pit or Trench Composting: A method where you bury organic material directly in the ground, sometimes along side of plantings, in a shallow trench. Many folks are intimidated and think composting is a difficult process. It is not, Nature has been doing it for quite some time. But you do have to follow some basics to be successful. The *best* way to go about it depends on many factors. If you ask yourself some questions about your specific needs it can help you to focus and determine what would be most successful for your specific situation. The amount and diversity of organic material you have available to compost determines your needs somewhat, as well as the quality of the finished product. Once you have a clear picture of your specific needs and the level of involvement you wish to take in the process our 'Noted Experts' on the Soil Forum will be more able to help you fine tune your technique to take full advantage of your supply of 'Garden Gold'. The questions below can help you to clarify what your needs and requirements are. This is not a test so don't be intimidated. Just use the questions to focus your attention on what will work best for you. What is your zone? -- _______ City, Suburb or Rural? -- _______ How large is your garden? -- _______ Sq. ft. Do you grow vegetables? -- _______ Do you have lawn area? -- _______ Do you want to recycle the yard and kitchen waste? -- _______ Do you wish to make as much compost as possible? -- _______ How much space do you have/wish to dedicate to your compost pile? ? ft. x ? ft. -- _______ Do you need a bin, or do you have plans for beds that you could use Interbay Mulch on? -- _______ How much do you want to spend on materials to build your bin? -- _______ Do you want a *Hot* pile (faster and more work) or a *Cold* pile (slower but easier? -- _______ Do you have any physical concerns that would make turning the pile difficult? -- _______ Do you wish to make Leaf Mold? -- _______ Do you feel you could use a Worm Bin? -- _______