HMM, I have algae in my rain barrels, but not slugs (sounds like what you have). I wouldn't worry about it. I've thought of that idea (soluble ferts in the rain barrel) but yes, it would continually be diluted. It would be hard to control the potency.... I do use alfalfa tea and thought about getting a rain barrel just for that. Oh, and THANK GOD it just rained!

Those pinholes do look like flea beetle damage but I haven't found any flea beetles. These beetles are much larger (about the size of a Japanese beetle) and fly, don't jump. I suspect they are causing the large holes in the peppers. They seemed to disappear after the rain, but they're back today. Hope these are better pix: Damage They seem to like to burrow in the bark mulch - I wonder if they came in with it, or maybe the grubs were in our soil anyway? I'm wondering if mulching with newspaper covered with grass clippings would be better? Though we have used bark mulch for years with no problem?

Hi Steve! C. Morgan has a book on raising Nightcrawlers. I have it and its available. Google worm books and follow the link to Shields poblications. I found that Buss Bedding is better than the bedding that is supplied in the Magic Worm Ranch for breeding purposes. The food is ok just don't mix it in the bedding.I used mine all up and now I feed Oatmeal and powdered egg shells. Mixture is about 4 parts oatmeal to 1 part shells. Sprinkle on top dry and then spritz with fine mist (I use a mister from Walley World for inside plants adjustable from stream to mist.) The most important thing is the temp make sure to keep it between 50-60 deg F. Do not fluff the bedding let it settle and add more on top until it's about 6 inches deep. The buss bedding is all paper and cardboard very finly ground up so dampen it until you can squeeze a couple drops from a really tight squeez. That way you can spritz the dry food and it will take 4-6 feedings before you need to check along the long side down to the bottem for dampness only a trench an inch wide to stick the finger in. After 2-3 months dump and harvest out the breeders you should find cocoons and some small worms. Put old bedding with cocoons into new bin (can be plastic) and renew bedding for breeders and start second breeding session. larry

floral, Asclepias syriaca can be a prolific spreader; the other varieties are much better behaved. Kathy and the OP, If these are indeed milkweed, don't get rid of them all, as they're the plant (the only plant) on which Monarch butterflies lay their eggs. http://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/campaign/the-details/