Worms eat my garbage

Kitchen composting

Backyard Adventure series

Our Backyard Adventures are fun and easy mini-expeditions that you can do — you guessed it! — right in your own backyard. These activities are designed to help students and parents explore the world with eyes of wonder. Along the way, you might discover a new interest, a new dream, or even a future career.

Students examining some red worms up close. And in the background, hanging from the ceiling, are tiers of homemade composting bins made from 2-liter bottles. The top tiers are homes to some happy plants.

Introduction: While working on our new book, Ruby the Red Worm, students started composting in the classroom and at home. It was so much fun getting our hands dirty. I think everyone should try it. Composting is like recycling. Worms turn food scraps and newspaper into fertile dirt that you then can use to fertilize your garden or indoor plants.

Assignment: Your adventure, should you choose to accept it, is to build your own compost bin at home. This is a great way to recycle your scraps and reduce your eco-footprint. It’s not too hard. To help you get started, try reading one of my favorite books, Worms Eat My Garbage (see below). Or you can do a little research online. Instead of kitchen composting, you might want to try a compost pile in your backyard. It’s super easy.