Add Photo to Journal

Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho

We can’t forget good worm food – coffee grounds, banana peels and eggshells are all great for getting a compost bin off to a good start!

A bunch of 3- to 6-year-olds taught me how to compost. Specifically: red worm composting. I had wanted to try this “wonder worm” method before – in which nature’s little recyclers eat through garbage – but I was a little intimidated by the concept. Then my daughter’s classroom started a worm bin of its own, and I figured, hey, if 3- to 6-year-olds can do it, I should be able to build a worm bin and take care of it, too.

The classroom’s worm bin is part of a larger garden project at the school that I’m pretty excited about. And when I found out a mom – who’s also a Master Gardener – was volunteering to start up these worm bins for the kids to take care of, I had to see how it’s done.

First came the worm talk. Sherry (Master Gardener mom) explained the four main things worms need to be healthy and happy: darkness, moisture, food and air.

Add Photo to Journal

Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho

Remember, worms need air, so drill some holes into the top of your tub.

She also talked about what kinds of foods are good for the wigglers and what can hurt them or create a stinky bin:

Good: Eggshells, coffee grounds, fruits, vegetables and the like.
Bad: Meat, dairy and fats.

Add Photo to Journal

Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho

Tape some screen over the holes to keep flies and other bugs out of your worm bin.

Then Sherry brought out the would-be worm bin – a dark-colored plastic tub with a lid to keep out the light. The drill was next – the kids (obviously with great supervision and guidance) drilled about a dozen holes into the lid to allow air in. Next, they taped some screening over the holes so little flies and other bugs that are naturally attracted to decomposing foods can’t make their way in.

Even wonder worms need a place to rest their hungry heads. In fact, bedding is an all-important part of a successful red worm bin. So the kids tore up long strips of newspaper for the worms to eat and relax in. And yes, we learned that paper choice does matter. Newspaper, computer paper, colored paper – that’s all okay.

Add Photo to Journal

Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho

Rip up some newspaper for good worm bedding – and use water-filled spray bottles to wet it all down.

But shiny paper is a no-no, because the chemicals on glossy inserts or magazine pages are harmful to the worms. Also, a good rule to follow is try to keep an extra layer of fresh bedding on top of the worms for good measure.

It turns out spray bottles are pretty important, too. Sherry said the paper bedding needs to be sprayed with enough water so it feels like you’re touching a damp sponge – but you have to be careful not to spray too much or the worms will drown!