Hi Anne,
I have seen lot's of different systems from smaller plastic totes kept in classrooms to big wooden boxes out in gardens. Here are some resources and videos we share on the topic.
www.lifelab.org/worms. which includes a video on how simple it is to set up a small tote bin as well as links to basics on setting up system.
www.lifelab.org/worm-bingo.From what I have observed smaller bins that are used indoors can be managed well, keeping flies and smell down, by not over feeding and adding dry bedding.
Larger bins outdoors are best not placed in full sun so that moisture can be maintained. Bins that are deeper can be advantageous in sunny areas so that worms can self regulate temperature fluctuations by migrating up and down. A nice advantage of worm bins is that they can more easily be built to be rodent proof. It is more difficult to construct a large hot compost pile to be rodent proof.
In outdoor systems I always like to advise that there is a way for worms to leave the worm bin and reach the soil below. This can be done with holes on the bottom of your bin. (add wire mesh over your holes if you are concerned about rodents entering your bin) This will allow your worms to escape if they are neglected (not watered/fed) which is a common issue in school settings.
We use red wigglers to compost with and usually get them given to us from other worm composters that are overflowing with worms. (when happy redworms can double their population in two months) I have also harvested them out of piles of composted horse manure. I have noticed that you can purchase them for much cheaper at fishing bait stores than buying them from compost supply vendors.
One of my favorite worm composting systems I have seen are ones that are directly in a raised garden bed, similar to what Sarah shared in a an earlier post in this thread. The systems I have seen are just worms in a raised garden bed and covered with tarp or compost cover. These systems can host many worms and eventually digest lots of materials. The wormbin / garden bed I managed would fill in a year or two and then all kids that visited the garden would partake in the big worm migration, hand picking out the worms and moving them to a new bed dedicated to worm composting. To start our we would chose a bed that was low on soil and then after a year or two of composting in the garden bed we'd either just mix the compost into the bed or distribute some of the black gold to other beds.
At Life Lab we have also documented examples of
School-wide Composting Projects, District Wide Composting Efforts , and
examples of curriculum that school's useThere is so much out there on school composting - hopefully these resources will point you in the right direction.
------------------------------
John Fisher
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 12:29:09 PM
From: Anne Santana
Subject: Vermicomposting?
Hi all! Calling all vermicomposting experts in the group!
I am considering starting vermicomposting with my campus and would love recommendations of systems you have used and liked.
Any lessons learned would be appreciated!
------------------------------
Anne Santana
------------------------------