Tale of Two Worm Bins

Colin and Tristan are working on the gardening merit badge. For one requirement they had to choose one of the following:

6) Do ONE of the following:
A) Build a compost bin and maintain it for 90 days.
B) Build a vermipost bin (worm compost bin) and maintain it for 90 days.
C) Build a hydroponic garden containing three vegetables or herbs, or three ornamental plants. Maintain this garden through harvest or flowering, or for 90 days.
D) Build on water garden, either in a container (at least 12 by 6 inches and 6 inches deep), or in the ground as a small, decorative pond no larger than 6 by 3 feet and 24 inches deep. Maintain the water garden for 90 days.

Before I even asked them I knew they'd choose the worms. My boys are so predictable. If it involves anything creepy crawly, messy or a living thing which they can possibly consider a new pet, well that's what they will choose.

So we went to town, well a town about 30 miles away, on Farmer's Market day and bought ourselves some worms from the worm lady. Next stop the stores for bins, peat moss, some extra newspapers. Then home to assemble the worms bins.

First the boys drilled holes both on the bottom and top of their bins for drainage and air circulation. Second they covered the holes with screen since worms are escape artists and from October these worms need to live IN the house.



Next tear up lots of newspaper.


Until your floor is covered.


Then layers or peat moss and newspaper, a little sand and worms in the middle.






Get it all nice and damp.


Play in the mud is optional but to be expected.


Take the worms out of their original container.



Playing with the worms is optional but to be expected.


Worms and mud, what more could a boy want.






Colin, they're not a toy!


Finish bin, add a compost "smoothie" the first couple days while the worms settle into their new homes.


Every 3-6 months collect worm castings and re-do their entire bin. Oh and the icky water that drains out of the bins is great for gardens too.




And they're done, The worm bins are brought outside then put into spots which are shady all day. Now the boys simply need to feed their worms suitable food peelings and left overs every couple days and keep the bins moist.

Glimpses into daily life

March,no, April, no, May comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Hopefully. We've had a few wonderfully warm spring days but not many. Still getting a lot of near freezing temperatures, windy days and rain. Just can't wait for summer! The children have been busy with many projects, woodworking, origami, pets, science experiments, drawing just to mention a few. The really want to get outdoors and sit on the beach or in the pool or just be out without needing a sweater or jacket. Soon, hopefully. We have just had Colin and then Tristan's birthday. Trevor is next in just a few weeks and he'll be 16! I asked him last night what he wants for his big day. He mentioned a couple DVD's. Trevor went on to say I don't need any video games I have three that will keep me happy for the rest of my life, Star Wars Battlefront 2, Lord of the Rings and the space one you gave me last birthday. I guess it's nice when you know you're set for life with games!

In no particular order here are random photos from the last few weeks, things that didn't make it into the recent event postings earlier today.












below: crystal growing experiment with a side experiment of watering a sunflower seed with crystal water and also a tulip fed with crystal water. The seed didn't grow and the Tulip fell apart but the crystals grew magnificently and eventually climbed out of the bowl.

A Birthday Boy!

Lego, Bionicle, Lego, Action Figures, Lego, Star Wars, Bionicle, Clothes, Lego. That's what Tristan's birthday was made of Lots of Legos & Bionicles and a few other favorites too.
Hard to believe my baby is 11, it seems strange but a good kind of strange. I like this phase of parenting, the kids are fairly independent but they are still kids!

a pack of alpacas!

Recently we visited an alpaca farm with a local homeschool group. The alpacas are a wonderful animal, very tame and cute. Their fiber (fur) has many uses. We learned a lot about alpacas, their area of origin and what types of things can be made from their fiber. It was an interesting and fun day at the alpaca farm. Hayley and Tristan both want to learn how to actually turn the sample fiber they were given into a real item.

It was a very rainy, cold day, Trevor and Colin decided to stay home but those of us who braved the weather had a delightful time with the adorable alpacas, photos in no particular order.