Worm Farm
Teacher Resource
How to Build a Worm Farm
presented by Isabella and Nora
How to care for your worms
There are things that you can’t put in worm farms and are things you can. You can’t put meat and fish- rotten food naturally stink while decomposing, and this process will attract unwanted vermin, such as rats.
Glossy paper- Glossy products are produced with toxic chemicals that may harm the worms.
Fresh manure- Vermicides are added to the diet of some animals and could pass into the manure they produce.
Garden waste- Some garden wastes are not ideal for a worm farm because they don’t deteriorate as quickly as fruit and vegetable food scraps. Remember to shred chunks of garden wastes first before adding it to the worm farm. https://compostpedallers.com/compost/how-make-worm-farm-home-10-easy-steps
To keep your worms safe
To keep your worms safe you shouldn’t give them all the items above. You should also not put any of your toys inside the worm farm. To keep your worms safe from freezing out in the cold winter or fall keep them inside so they will stay warm. You don’t want to get a layer of snow on your worm farm so keep it inside.
You should give them veggies, fruit scraps, bread, pasta, coffee grounds, lettuce. You should feed it weekly. Be careful not to over feed your worms! Pay attention to your worms because they could die if you don’t get them what they need.
Resources
How to Make a Worm Farm
Materials:
Worms Compost Grass clippings
Organic food scraps Veggies Fruit scraps
Bread Coffee grounds Lettuce
1. Line your container with gardening soil
2. Add just an adequate of compost worms- just enough to consume and transport the amount of organic food
waste into a plant-friendly fertilizer
3. Water until everything is moist, then cover the container. Remember to use the right watering tools for this process
4. Cover the organic kitchen scraps with soil to prevent flies
5. Add in just enough water regularly to keep the worm farm moist
6. Aerate or dilute the DIY fertilizer and use them to nourish your houseplants and garden
7. Enjoy the worm farm!
Books about Worms
-
Earthworms by Lisa Amstultz
-
WORMS by Spot/ Nessa Black
-
Earthworms by Megan Borgert-Spaniol
-
Earthworms by Nikki Bruno Clapper
-
Earthworms by Leo Statts
-
Wiggly Worms by Cheryl Reifsnyder
Worm Facts
1. Earthworms are invertebrates- they don’t have backbones.
2. Like humans, earthworms have a bilateral system.
3. The prostomium , a flap that covers the mouth in some species, is a sensory device.
4. Earthworms do not have lungs- they breathe through their skin as long as it stays moist.
5. Because earthworms do not have teeth,they use a gizzard to grind up large pieces of food.
6. Earthworms are hermaphrodites- their bodies contain both male and female reproductive organs.
7. Earthworms have FIVE hearts!
8. A worm has no arms, legs, or eyes
9. There are approximately 2,700 different kinds of earthworms