Worm Composting in Green Stalk

 

Many years ago I began my worm composting journey.  I continue modifying it to fit the needs of the environment I’m gardening in.  In my giant metal containers, I do (what I call) the double pot method: I place 2 pots, the bottom pot had the compost food and the top pot holds a plant. The worms live in the giant metal container and travel freely into the composting pot to get food. I know when to refill the container when the two pots almost touch.  Pretty easy and very low maintenance.  

Above are some photos of my double pot method.  I removed the pots to show how moist and full of worms the soil is, but they quickly burrowed down.

I wanted to try something similar with my green stalk towers, but it didn’t work. I couldn’t find pots that could easily fit in there.  I needed to try a completely different approach. After different ideas, I found this one worked for me.

So when I began to use my green stalk towers, I knew I wanted composting worms living there and I would need to find a way to feed them.  I created a small composting “bin” by buying flexible cutting boards and making holes in it.  I cut a small piece off the bottom so than it could fit snuggly in a pocket.  The holes were big enough for worms to get through yet small enough to keep food from getting into the rest of the soil.

I like to freeze my worms’ meals. This helps to decompose food faster as it thaws and ants avoid the cold temperatures.  

Once I filled the pocket with food, I cover it with coconut coir/garden soil and cover it with cardboard.  The coconut coir/soil helps to keep flys and other pests away. I also add a little sand to it- the worms don’t have teeth, so I feel the sand helps the grind the food as it passes through their stomachs.  I have no scientific finds- it’s just my opinion- and the sand also help keep the soil loose.  The card placed on top of the soil is to also help keep the soil moist and hopefully added protection against other bugs. There’s a small gap that I try and fill in with soil as well. 

I usually feed my worms once every month or so- sometimes I notice they eat more during spring and not as much in summer or winter. So I don’t have exact dates, I just keep frozen veggies and fruits in bags until I see they need it.

I place a greenhouse lid on it to protect it against birds or other pests that might want to dig in it. And that’s it- it’s as easy as talking out the trash (but in this cast it’s fruit/veggie scraps into a pocket bin).

Monarch butterfly garden

 In my parent’s Los Angeles garden, I don’t have much space to spare- so I try and plant culinary native plants.  So when I read that native Narrowleaf Milkweed was used as a food source by Native people, I bought some. From Early February to mid March many garden store have milkweeds available for purchase.  (In California- my native plant growers are discouraging the purchase of tropical milkweed)- so do your research in which grows in your area. 

I thought buying 3 Narrowleaf milkweed plants would be enough for me and the monarch caterpillars to share- I mean, how much can a tiny caterpillar eat? (I’d raised paint lady butterflies- so I considered myself a pro) yikes! Apparently they can eat- a lot!

Above is the photo my very first monarch caterpillar to be raised in my garden.  I’d run out at least twice a day to check on my lil friend- then one morning s/he/it/they was gone!  I looked everywhere- on the floor, around other plants- I felt devastated!  I searched the web on what I did wrong… I found articles that stated most people focus on milkweeds and not other additional plants monarchs needs.  So I found an amazing video from Tree of Life (see resource below) that demonstrates on how to put several plants monarchs need all in one pot.

I went to H&H and bought a large garden tub because many comments stated milkweed and other plants need room to grow.  I added my ceanothus because I already had it planted with my milkweed.  Once the ceanothus begins to grow, I feel it will give protection and shade to the caterpillars. I can use it’s flowers as a soap and caterpillars and other pollinators can use it too- so this is for both of us.

The video suggested a White Sage.  I had already had the suggested sage - so I got an Allen Chickering Cleavland Sage  (some botanist believe it’s hybrid between Black sage and white sage).  Many articles suggest Cleveland Sage as a great substitute for the European culinary sage.  There are many types of Cleveland sage. So this is safe is for both of us to share. 

The next one the video suggested was a Verbena Lilacina de la Mina- (I know there is a lemon verbena that is used in teas- but I can’t find any resources that say this plant can be used in teas).  So this plant is just for monarchs.

The next plant I got was a Wooly Blue Curl.  I planted one in Baja and I loved the bubblegum sweet smell it released as I brushed against while planting.  It’s both a native edible and great for pollinators. So this plant is mostly for me, but I’ll share it. 

Then I planted a ground cover plant- Yerba Buena.  It’s a common plant that I had no idea was a native until I purchased it at Artemisia and read the detailed label.  I love it for teas and ice cream garnishes and also a few snips in my 7up. So this is mostly me and to protect the garden soil in the container garden.

Common Yarrow is supposed to be a great nectar food source for monarch butterflies, I tucked one in toward the back of the pot. So this is for the monarch butterfly.

I found a bladderpod which is said to taste like asparagus.  It grows really big- and honestly it was a spontaneous purchase- so this is a me for culinary use plant. (Update: May 16, 2026- i found a website Monarch Fellowship that has Bladderpod is a great nectar plant for monarchs- so it’s a plant, we will both be sharing.)

I didn’t want to lose anymore monarch caterpillars to birds- so I place a mesh cover over it to protect them. 

I’ve seen 3-4 caterpillars on the milkweed plants, so they can keep the plants for themselves.  I had no idea how much monarch caterpillars struggle to survive: from finding a host plant, finding its supply of nectar food source and trying to hide from predators.  I found a new appreciation for these tiny guys. 

Update: May 14, 2026- I found an empty chrysalis. I strongly believe it is from my first caterpillar.  So I’m glad it survived and flew away.

May 16th I found a website call Monarch Fellowship that has hubs where you can go learn and start a monarch garden in your community.  They supply video resources and seeds to help you get started. I’ve included the link below.

Resources:

Tree of Life Butterfly Container Garden idea: https://youtu.be/Dkm0MYuhbSU?si=AkyZcRp-GmikCtyO

Monarch Fellowship: https://monarchfellowship.org