Are you referring to what I call "creeping charlie"? You can compost it, but just recognize if the pile doesn't get hot enough, you may get surviving rhizomes sprouting where you use the compost.... If you have time and space, sometimes letting a compost pile mature - is a good indicator if things will sprout. If the pile can set and rest, undecomposed rhizomes and seeds may sprout - letting you know that you should turn it again, add some greens and back heat it back up again.

Karen, I'm surprised no one has piped up; I would have thought there were a few vermicomposters around here. I did see some mention at Dave's Garden when I googled on minnesota vermicomposting so you might find some info over there. You could also check gardenwatchdog for reputable vendors of the little squigglies--I think you could find some that would insure humane transport! :-)

When temperatures drop, worm activity slows, plain and simple. Worms become slow-moving and lethargic, reacting only minimally to stimuli that, in warmer weather, evokes strong, quick reaction; they consume far less than during more temperate periods; and reproduction slows, often to point of ceasing all together. This is normal behavior and is expected in systems that are managed outdoors in colder climates. If the reduction in activity is problematic for you, it can be mitigated somewhat by placing the bin out of cold wind, rain and snow, insulating (stack straw bales or bags of leaves around the unit, attach styrofoam insulation sheets to the bin, and/or cover with an old blanket or sleeping bag) to capture the naturally occuring biological heat, and feeding high energy foods in sufficient quantity that they actually generate heat in the system. Supplemental heat can also be added to the bin by burying a gallon jug of water containing a birdbath heater in the bedding, or by using seed flat heat mats inside the bin (be sure to insulate the bin in conjunction with the addition of supplemental heat to hang on to all that additional warmth!). If you are able to adapt to the natural seasonal fluctuation in worm activity, then simply insulate the bin to the best of your ability and keep feeding as you normally would. While the worms are highly unlikely to stay abreast of the inputs, the feedstock is essentially being refrigerated in the cold worm bin, meaning breakdown will be slow and unlikely to cause problems in the system over the winter. As the weather warms next year and decomposition of the winter's slowing degrading material ramps up there will be abundant feedstock to support the sudden increase in nutritional demand on the part of all warming and wakening organisms in the system. Many cold climate vermicomposters mix winter feedstock additions with compost, shredded paper or leaves, or other bulking agent to ensure the system has sufficient absorbant materials to soak up any excess moisture as feedstocks freeze/thaw and slowly decompose during time of low biological activity. As the weather begins to warm next spring, keep an eye on the system moisture level, mixing in dry bulky material if conditions become overly wet. What you're seeing is normal and what we expect for worm bins outdoors in New York at this time of year. Keep observing the bin, take action that feels right to you based on what you see happening, and trust your instincts more than the recommendations of others, Vickie. You know more about your own system than does anyone else! KellyS

Interesting question- I agree with the above statement worms turn organic matter into vc. I did an experiment with a potted plant and wanted to add some wigglers to see what would happen. First the medium is 1 part coco coir, 1 part courst vermiculite, 2 parts sifted compost[bagged] from there I added 2-3 dozen wigglers and fed them once a week. I first started in a 1 gal pot but the plant grew and I moved to a 3 gal pot that it is now in. Its only been about 3 mo from the start but a couple of obvious things are noted. First there is tons of foliage more than I normally see, second in lifting the pot it is quite heavy indicating a certain volume of added VC. It seems the nitrogen content of this pot is quite high maybe from the food scrap feed I normally give, but I have only been adding enough in relation to the suspected worms in the pot. Even though I pinched the {terminal tips] in the beginning to force a more compact plant this plant continues kick out more and more foliage. This is surprising since I also feed them a mix of cornmeal and oats. I post the following as an example of the foliage I speak.