Project #25: The New Pet (x183)

As parents what lengths do we go to to feed the needs our children's curiosity? Their minds are so open, so willing to lean. The question is can mine be the same, can I look at ideas with the same simplicity and excitement as a six year old? This week I am trying and because of it I would just like to say I deserve the Mother of the Year Award.

Erin has been begging for a worm farm for months now. I kept thinking it would be a passing fad, distracted by something covered in pink and glitter, since you know, she is a six year old suburban girl. But I soon realized this idea, wherever it originated, was here to stay.

After some research we decided if we were going to have worms, there might as well be some secondary benefits (besides entertainment???). We decided on Red Wrigglers since they are a composting breed (its like having a living garbage disposal). They can eat their weight daily in food scraps. Worm castings (also known as worm poo) has a highly beneficial organic fertlizer for gardens and beds.

After thinking about it for a while this is a win-win situation. The kids get a pet, I don't have to pay anything to keep it, there are no vet bills, and if (when) I get sick of them, I don't have to take them to the pound, I just dump them in the garden. And if they do take off, both the worms and casting sell for a high price, so Erin can pay for college by selling worm poo :)

So Friday evening we started E's Worm Ranch. While most worms farms start at 1000 worms, I didn't feel comfortable with that large of a starter kit.....We started with 183.

We made our barn out of a three gallon frosting bucket from Shipleys Doughnuts (ironically Erin's favorite place). Erin had her first try at drilling holes and she did an excellent job. The holes provide oxygen to the worms. The bucket was filled with wet newspapers and a handful of dirt and a few apples slices to get them started. Most people actually keep them in their kitchen. I was not sure how I felt about that, so right now they are living in the half bath we rarely use.

So far Erin and Eliza are deeply concerned about the welfare of their worms. They check on them four or five times a day and Eliza even sang them a song last night.

For those of you looking to start you own worm farm, its simple, thank you google for one more completed project!

Cheap and Easy Worm Bin