Red Wiggler worms in the Kindergarten and 1st Grade

Henderson, Rochester & Inclan's class all have Worm composter's in their classrooms. Although the initial reaction from each class was Eewww... worms and worm poop. Most kids got into digging through worm compost (worm poop) to collect worms for their composter.

Red Wriggler worms, different then Earth worms, love to eat decaying fruit, vegetables and small pieces of yard waste. They use newspaper, paper towel and paper bags as shelter and will compost the paper as well. When the worms digest all the fruits and vegetables they produce a very nutrient rich "poop"soil that is beneficial to our vegetable gardens. Worm compost (worm poop) does not smell if the environment is balanced.

Red Wigglers like a moist, cool (moderate temp), dark home with small bits of fruits and vegetables (already decaying is fine). So fruits and veggies that have gone bad are fine to use. 

Our landfills are filled with uneaten food. Since most of the uneaten food is wrapped up in Plastic/packaging it can never reach the earth to be turned back into soil. By composting at home, you can easily produce great compost soil for your garden and yard. If you are not quite ready for a worm bin, Oakland encourages that all food and food soiled paper waste go into your green bin. 

The Ecoliteracy classes on Monday each made a simple home for their worms. Most kids wanted to take their worms home, so we are showing you how you can create your own worm composter. 

1) Find a Plastic Container (not clear) with a fitted lid. Drill holes in bottom for water drainage, around the top of the bin and on lid to allow in air. Also, put something under the bin to catch compost tea/drainage.

2) Fill the container with shredded paper. Add enough water to moisten all the paper but drain/pour off any standing water at the bottom. Worms will not survive in standing water.

3) Find Red Wriggler worms. The kids loved digging through an Eco Parent's worm compost to find their worms. Ask a friend who has a worm composter for some of their worms or purchase a bag at a garden center.                                                      

Fun Fact: 8 worms can produce 1500 baby worms in 6 months. Each worm is both male and female.

4) We put food (lettuce, apples, coffee grounds & filter, broken egg shells, tea leaves, yard waste) in the middle of the bedding (best to keep food in one area versus sprinkling all over). Worms will not eat meat, dairy, oils so only feed them fruits and vegetables. Don't over feed your worms initially.

Moist bedding, Compost, food & worms

5) Add compost or dirt over the food so the worms have somewhere to hang out.

6) Loosely cover the food & compost with some of the moistened bedding to help keep everything dark and moist. Cover everything with a piece of cardboard and then put on the lid. Worms like it dark!

7) We put our new worm compost bins in the a covered & shaded area.

For additional instruction click here Cheap & Easy Worm Bin.

We will keep you posted on the compost we are creating in the classroom!

- The Eco Team