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Bear {4.5 yrs} has a newfound obsession with worms. One of his favorite books is A Diary of a Worm. Through conversation, we decided that a wonderful way to tie our new compost bin into our science activities and exploration is to do vermicomposting! This means adding worms to the compost bin to help create beautiful, rich compost. This is going to take our adventure and raise it to another level by increasing the scientific element to it.
For how to create a small indoor compost bin with worms, I combined info from several sites, friends’ recommendations, and the info provided in our Uncle Jim’s pack of worms. For the container, we used a large reptile terrarium. The clear sides will allow us to see the internal workings of the bin.
Here’s how you can create your own small, indoor vermicomposting bin:
- Layer garden soil and new sandbox sand at a 2:1 ratio. We created four layers total.
- Lay dried leaves and brown vegetation across the top of the soil.
- Add about 1/2 cup of water.
- Dump your worms in and cover with a damp piece of newspaper.
- Place in a cool darkish spot. Uncle Jim’s recommends leaving them in light for a day or two until they get settled, then darkening up the bin.
I’m still doing research on how to make the outdoor compost bin work and be successful. I want to make sure that I set up an environment that is healthy and supportive for our worms in the large outdoor bin that we are going to build. So far, I know that the best items to compost are organic greens and browns. Items like this:
We have a wormless compost bin – we bought it from our town when we moved here (they subsidize the cost). I think I need to add worms to speed up the process! Or I need to look into a tumbler compost bin – those are supposed to work faster as well. We still get gorgeous dirt to use in our garden, even with the simple freestanding bin version!
We don't have a compost bin but I like the idea a lot. My girls are "girly girls" and would be totally grossed out by the worms lol but I think they are awesome! Thanks for this post!
We have a compost box! JDaniel loves to visit with the worms.
What a great idea! My twins love worms 😉 I'm pinning this for when they are a tad older, and can't wait to try it!
love it. I've always composted… in Maine, a corner of the back yard and the crows would turn it for us. In pittsburgh, we had a smaller fenced in corner until the neighbor's dog found it. Now we have a big plastic sphere, which works faster, but it's plastic, for heaven's sake! I've never added worms, and our plastic sphere was full of them, so they find it i guess. But I def want to try this. LOVE your blog, liked you on FB as Funnermother, and fanned you up on Etsy as AngelleighDesigns.
I love her comment "Just realized worms don't even make a sound" Something you just don't know until you see in person. Would love to explore this option at home, thanks for sharing!
This is awesome although the worms in books are so much better for me than real life ones. This is definitely somehing I would like to try if I had help with the worms of course.
This is awesome. My son would love it! He is obsessed with bugs now at 2.5 years old. We have a municipal pick up every 2 weeks for compost here but I would like to make this just for fun and to watch the process.
I would love it if you would come link up at Artsy Play Wednesday – Kids' Craft Linky.
http://www.babygiveawaysgalore.com/2013/05/artsy-play-wednesday-kids-craft-linky_15.html
We have a huge compost bin out back–the idea of a clear one where kids can watch the worms is so inspiring, though! I'm featuring this tonight on my blog!
We haven't tried composting here, as the city collects compostable materials from everyone for the big shared garden. I'm looking forward to trying at our new house.
Thanks for linking up tot he Outdoor Play Party. Hope to see you there again next time!
A great way to bring learning indoors and very much to life for children.