When I get sprouts, I pull them up and lay them on top where they'll become worm food over time. To make it work faster, you could lay the sprouts in the sun for a few hours and then return them to the bin.

sprouts are no problem I pay no attention to them there is no light so they never get far although I have pulled a few potato peels out and stuck them in the ground

Thanks for the advice! I didn't consider planting the sprouts, but that's a great idea!!

I have a little key lime seedling which sprouted in my worm bin growing in a little yogurt container in my kitchen right now.

Cantaloupe isn't hard to grow (lots of sun & water); free plants are always welcome to grow in my worm bin.

Some people purposely grow plants in the bins/beds for worm food. I use wheat and alfalfa in my bins not for composting, but I supplement with ground corn and oats. Mow it down leaving the roots in place and let it grow more. It makes for a little ecosystem where the castings go to plants and the plants go to the worms and so on. I think alfalfa is probably better because it will take nitrogen from the air rather than need it from the bin. So anyway, if you use an open bin method, just let the plants grow and cut them back later. In my compost bin, I let the beans grow quite a bit and then pull them. Pulling the developed roots seems to help me keep from turning the bin material much and reduces compaction.

Thanks for the great ideas! I am learning so much, and it is so much fun!! I have the rubbermaid container system, with holes drilled in the lid. I did notice today, that my bottom layer of bedding (torn newspaper, leaves and a little compost) seems to be compacting. I wasn't sure how to deal with that, but the worms have LOTS of food to eat, and it doesn't seem to be bothering them. I have some hyacinth bean vine seed that I don't have anywhere to plant--what if I throw that in there? Otherwise, I'll go pick up some wheat or alfalfa seed. I need all the advice I can get, so keep it coming!
Karen