Using worms in a bin is an easy way to teach children about nature, sustainability, responsibility and respect for life.  If wasted food is not going to feed other people or larger animals it can be fed to works.  Food waste sent to the landfill cause the greenhouse gas, methane.  Instead, composting with worms will provide a soil amendment good for house plants and the garden.It can be done inside, all year long and in a small space. There are five easy steps to worm composting with children.

Build the worms a home (a Bin)

An old drawer will work or you can build a 1-2-3 worm box.  You can buy a worm bin or make one. Check out youtube for ideas. Many people use a plastic tote. Just be sure to use the right amount of moisture and air and a good temperature range. More coming in this article. I highly encourage you to use what you have.

Prepare the Bedding

Although there are many materials that can be used newspaper is the best bedding for a child’s worm bin. It is sterile so you won’t add unwanted creatures to the bin that other bedding like leaf mold might. Use only the paper printed with black ink as its basic ingredients are carbon black and oil, neither toxic to worms. Preparation of the bedding requires tearing the newspaper and wetting it down.

Feeding the Worm

Although Worms will eat many different kinds of food it is best  to feed them foods hat won’t attract pests.  They will eat vegetables but prefer fruit..

Taking Care of the Worms

The ideal temperature is 57-77 degrees F. They breathe through their skins so they like it moist.  They must have oxygen.

Putting it all together

Use Red wigglers

Happy worming and for more details check out the book. Joanne