Unionville Center Community News

Master Gardeners

Morgan Ream was the education speaker for the September 23 meeting of the Master Gardeners of Union County.  Ream and her husband Josh own Reaplenish Regenerative Soils and Worm Castings north of Bellefontaine.  She explained how they started raising red wiggler worms and the process for collecting their excrement or castings which they now sell at 13 locations in Ohio and through orders on their FaceBook page, Reaplenish. The product is available in Marysville at Thriving Together.

Information is from Ream’s PowerPoint and the Reaplenish FaceBook page.

Red wiggler worms eat half their body weight a day.  They are hermaphrodite so both mating worms become pregnant.  In 3 weeks, they shed a cocoon.  In another 3 weeks, the cocoons hatch 1 to 3 worms. Cocoons are 1/8 inches and lemon colored.  A worm will live 1 to 3 years.  Red Wigglers are small, only about 3 inches long.

The basic rule of thumb is a 10:1 ratio of soil to castings.  Studies show that germination and seeding growth is improved by planting in worm castings.  Worm castings are the superfood of garden plants.   It overall promotes healthy plant growth, flowering and even fruit production.

Worm castings are the nutrient-rich waste produced by red wiggler worms as they digest organic matter.  They are a natural fertilizer packed with beneficial microbes, minerals and plant growth hormones that help improve soil health. Castings enhance soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability, making them ideal for gardens, lawns, and potted plants.  Unlike synthetic fertilizers, they won’t burn plants and provide long-lasting, gentile nourishment.  They make soil a living soil.

Worm castings are packed with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that plants need to grow strong and healthy.  Research conducted at The Ohio State University found that worm castings enhance seed germination, plant growth, flowering, and fruit production.

Use worm castings to amend potting mix when repotting.  Top dress your indoor and outdoor pots or outdoor garden.  Rake or stir in the castings then water.  Fall is a good time to add castings and rake them into the soil.  In the spring add castings to planting holes and stir them in as you plant.

Project updates were given during the business meeting.  The Demonstration Garden at the Ag Center will have a clean-up and harvest party for the garden volunteers to close out the season.

There will be a Morning Chat with a Master Gardener on Saturday, October 10 from 8:30 to 10:30 at the Ag Center.  The topic will be Drying Flowers.

The Farmers Market concluded with information on Tree of Heaven which is the host plant for the spotted lanternfly.  Master Gardeners will return to the Farmers Market next year with timely garden information.

The garden at COYC (Central Ohio Youth Center) is still harvesting vegetables but cleaning the beds for winter.

Six area assisted living facilities received bouquets of dahlias from the Greater Columbus Dahlia Society Show.  The bouquets were prepared by Master Gardener Bill Paloney and his wife Margaret.

Those attending the meeting were: Kathleen Albanese, Dixie Bowen, Bobbi Brown, Bryan Bumgarner, Richard Colvin, Jennifer Cousino, Debbie Engle, Susan  Heino, Michele Geho, JoEllen Hayes, Eunice Hornsby, Julie Jones, Audrey Kise, Wendy Lyons, Donna Maley, Martey Masterson, Susan McClish, Virginia McCreary, Dick Mills, Nancyn Munson, Kay Nichols, John Oberlander, Nikki Oppliger, Bill Paloney, Leanne Parnell, Steve Snethkamp, Janet Swearingen, Kimberly Tallarico, Sue Timmons,  and Lisa Workman.

Racing

Roush and Sons did not race on September 26, the last night of racing at Shadybowl Speedway because it was just an exhibition night for destruction and fun. It wasn’t a points race. Events included a Trailer Race, King of the Hill Race, Push Race, Burnout Contest and Clunker Classic.

Roush and Sons last racing event of the seasons will be a three-day weekend at Winchester Speedway in Indiana on October 9-10.

Contact

If you have news to share, contact Audrey Kise

at 614-314-6205 or

audrey.kise@gmail.com.