While I could not take, it anymore and just had to see what is going on down there so I took a core sample today. The SFG bed is 8” deep so I cut a piece of 3” drainpipe 8” long and drove it into the bed. I then sliced the drainpipe length wise to free the core. I was not surprised when the top portion just fell apart. I was surprised though when the bottom portion had a smeared surface. It had a good percentage of organic material but there seemed to be a material that was like plain old garden soil. Could it be worm casings?
I broke up part of the bottom portion just to look-see. There were several wormholes that did not show up on photos but they were active. I still cannot believe that they could make that much casing in a year’s time.
This is a close up of the bottom portion of the core and it almost looks like soil blocks. Does that mean that through time the beds will fill up with worm casings? As usual, all comments are welcome.
John's Garden Journal 
John, I have been wanting to do the same thing! I poke around in there now and then just to check out the worm population.
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Cool idea John. And yes, it does look like a soil block. Maybe when I make more I’ll just do it in the garden pulling mix from the beds. Hehe.
That’s cool that you have so many worms. I doubt I have any due to the massive weed protection efforts when I built my beds. Landscape fabric and 3″ of gravel makes for great drainage but let’s nothing in.
I tried to add worms from a bait shop once. They pretty much all died for some reason. I haven’t taken a core sample though, I guess I could be surprised.
Great idea and post. Keep ’em comming!
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How have the toilet paper seed tapes worked out for you?
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Hi Bruce, it’s still too early to plant them. We have 4-5 weeks to go yet.
John
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I have just put a large quantity of worms into garden compost as an experiment and my result after just 6 days were very like your lower layer there:
http://www.catherinedaly.net/2009/03/result-of-vermi-power-experiment.html
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Hello Catherin, there are at least three different worms in the garden. Night Crawlers, Red wigglers and a gray/light tan worm that is most numerous.
John
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Ya John
“Does that mean that through time the beds will fill up with worm casings? ”
It would take a lot of bananas, Heheh
Train
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Train, I am wondering the same thing. John
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