Wriggly, Wiggly, Worms!

What would the earth be like if there were no earthworms? Actually, it would be a VERY different place than it is today. There would be no soil, therefore no plants and no food. Yikes! That would be awful! Funny thing though, we don’t see many petitions to “Save the Earthworm” and yet they are essential to life on this planet.

Here are some interesting facts about earthworms:

• Worms help water flow through the soil 
• Worm castings (poo) make really good fertilizer for the soil 
• There are approximately 2,700 different kinds of earthworms 
• In one acre of land there can be more than a million earthworms

You know spring has sprung in Canada when the American robin's get back! I saw one the other day, hopping around looking for something to eat. Robins like to eat earthworms in the morning; later in the day they’re likely to eat fruit or small insects. I grew up in England where the European robin would wake us up with it’s beautiful song.

A great way to convert your organic waste into fabulous fertilizer is to set up a Vermicomposting Bin. You can just throw your kitchen scraps directly in there, along with some shredded paper scraps, and before you know it the worms (red wrigglers) will convert them into amazingly beautiful rich soil. A great way to recycle scraps and get plenty of food for your plants Try it out with your kids!

Oh, and one other thing. Earthworms, robins, bees, insects and so many other creatures and tiny organisms are harmed when pesticides are used. There are plenty of non toxic insecticide alternatives you can use. Dance around the yard to the We're All Interconnected song! Together, we can make a difference!

Earth Day!

Let’s make every day Earth Day!  Earth Day is a yearly reminder of how precious this beautiful planet is! Each blade of grass, tiny insect (even those pesky mosquitoes), breath of fresh air, glass of clean water and delicious plate of food on our table, it's all earth’s bounty!

Earth Day heralds spring for many of us in the north, (well we’re still holding our breath in Montreal) and the warm sunshine helps the buds burst forth!  As the leaves and blooms appear, the insects magically fly out from their winter hiding places eager to get busy and thrive.

Some insects have been having a difficult time over the last few years.  You may have heard about bee colonies collapsing or that the monarch butterfly numbers are declining.  All insects needs a plentiful variety of native plants.  This basically just means plants that are indigenous to the area where you live.  For monarch butterflies there are a variety of milkweed plants that provide them with the nutrients they need, and honey bees are happy with all kinds of flowers - they just need variety!

Let’s start a Garden Revolution!  Wherever we are, we can plant some flowers, a bush or a tree.  Imagine for a moment that you are an insect flying across a landscape dotted with cities or vast monoculture crop fields.  Suddenly you behold a glorious splash of color waving up at you.  

Did you know that honey bees use a group of movements called the Waggle dance to inform their fellow colony members about the exact location of a good food source!  The Busy Buzzing Bee Song will help get your kids dancing the Waggle dance!

Learn more about monarch butterflies and how to Plant a Garden for them!!  Sing the song, 

I Saw Butterflies Kissing Today with kids and see if you can find some of the creatures mentioned in the song.

If you're looking for a fun and engaging way to incorporate Earth Day lessons into your daily routine, check out the Little Earth Charter (click on the button at the top).  Kids will love Earth and Rosie's colorful and lively animated segments. And remember, Earthday is Everyday!