Preparing the Bedding Material

1

Add approximately 6L (approximately 1/3) of tap water to a large plastic bin.

2

Add 1 brick of coconut coir to the water.

3

Allow the coconut coir to sit undisturbed for approx. 1 hour.

4

Using your hands, break up the now expanded/rehydrated coconut coir until it is a loose texture, and no clumps remain.

5

Add shredded paper, one handful at a time, and mix.

6

Test for moisture by squeezing one handful of the coir/paper mixture in your hand. Adjust the moisture level by adding water or shredded paper until the desired moisture level is reached. Note: The desired moisture level is that of a damp sponge, drops of water should be expressed when a handful of bedding material is squeezed, not streaming water.

7

Repeat steps 5-6 until the desired moisture level is achieved.

8

Set aside.

Preparing the Central Core of your Garden Tower 2

1

Remove the cap of the central vermicomposting core of your Garden Tower 2.

2

Add 1 large handful of shredded paper.

3

Add 2 litres of potting soil.Why am I doing this? Doing so creates a "barrier" at the base of your vermicomposting core, which will encourage the worms to travel upwards toward their food source, rather than down into the reservoir.

4

Add 1 part (1 "serving") of broken down/chopped food scraps.

5

Add ½ pound of Red Wiggler composting worms.

6

Add 1 generous handful of bedding material.

Preparing Your Worm Food

Using a knife, break food scraps down into smaller pieces.

Why?

Breaking food scraps down into smaller pieces increases the surface area available for microorganisms to act on, thus accelerating the process of decomposition.

  Feeding Tips

1

When feeding your worms, add 1 layer of fresh food scraps, followed by a layer of bedding material mixture.

i. Add a layer of fresh kitchen scraps to the central core of your Garden Tower 2.
ii. Add a layer/handful of bedding material mixture on top of the fresh kitchen scraps.
iii. Repeat steps i and ii each time you feed your worms.

2

DO NOT over feed.

3

ALWAYS add a layer of bedding material on top of food scraps.

4

Add some dried, crushed eggs shells weekly.

Use & Planting Tips

1

Growing Outdoors?

Choose a sunny location with a flat, firm surface.

2

Growing Indoors?

- Choose a location with wipeable surface…because spills and soil overflows may happen.

- For best results, use grow lights. Use of properly positioned grow lights will encourage stronghealthy plant growth and development.

3

What type of soil should I use?

Use a high-quality potting soil or light-weight grower’s mix that is intended for container growing.Consult your local nursery for help in choosing a suitable product.

4

To Add or Not to Add Soil Amendment?

Remember, the GT2 is designed to produce its own organic fertilizer with the help of the addition of compost worms in the central vermicomposting tube!If you choose to add additional plant food to the soil in your GT2, we recommend you consult the professionals at your local nursery when choosing a product. Some points to consider:

-  Use a non-manure-based plant food.

- Granular plant foods are typically “time released” formulas. Seek advice from your local garden centre professional and use according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

5

Which plants are best suited to the GT2?

- If growing outdoors, select varieties that are suitable for your planting zone.

- Bush/Container/Compact varieties work well.

- Growing Outdoors? You can either start your plants from seed or transplant purchased seedlings.

- Growing Indoors? We recommend starting plants from seed. This minimizes the risk of introducing “hitchhiker” pests from greenhouses or nurseries. This is particularly important when growing indoors because there are no “helper organisms” indoors (eg- lady bugs that feed on aphids and thus control their presence/population).

6

What to plant where in your GT2.

- Place those plants, that at maturity, will be the most compact and bushiest at the bottom of the tower. Add additional plants to the tower, working from bottom to top reserving the tallest mature varieties for the top layer(s).

- Plant plants that require less space between those that need a lot of space.

7

Maintaining your GT2.

- Establish a regular watering schedule.

- Test the soil for dryness – Insert a finger into the soil of one of the pockets in the lowest level. If soil feels dry – heavier watering is required (for rehydration). If soil is moist, water lightly (for maintenance).

- Plants not thriving? Consider:

- too much or too little water;

- insufficient light;

- lack of available plant food;

- temperatures not suited to plant type (too hot / too cold).

8

Growing during the winter with your GT2.

Do you live in an area where the ground freezes in winter? Do not despair, your GT2 can be used indoors during the sub-zero winter months.

Things to consider:

- You will need good quality indoor grow lights.

- If you have been using your GT2 outdoors, it will need to be emptied and cleaned thoroughly before beginning your growing season indoors. Why? Any residual soil used for growing outdoors can carry nuisance pests to your indoor garden (eg. aphids).

- Once thoroughly cleaned, the GT2 will need to be filled with new, fresh potting soil.

9

Storing your GT2 during the winter months.

Ideally your GT2 should be stored indoors during the winter months. Any water in the tower will freeze and cause damage to the tower.

Soil can be recycled/reused form year to year, however, the soil must be allowed to dry out completely and remain moisture free throughout the winter season. Any moisture/water in the tower will freeze and you risk damaging your tower as a result.