Garden Basics # 214 Soldier Flies, Improving Slow Compost

If you have a compost pile, or especially a worm bin, you may have seen a scary looking critter: an inch-long wasp-like creature. That’s the soldier fly. But are they good for your compost pile or worm bin? Some gardeners swear by them. Some swear at them. Today, we talk with a big proponent of soldier flies about them, and we delve deep into some of their many benefits. Also, we answer a listener’s question about how to speed up the composting process.

We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots. And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!

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Pictured: Soldier Fly on a Worm Bin
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Napa Co. Master Gardener Penny Pawl:  The Soldier Fly Marches On
Napa Co. Master Gardener Penny Pawl:  African Keyhole Gardening
5 Steps to Quick Compost: The Rapid Composting Method
Compost Tumblers

Harvest Day, Aug. 6, at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center

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