How to Make Your Own Worm Compost Bin

Overview

Worm composting is gaining in popularity. It is an easy and fun way to keep your food scraps out of landfills by turning them into nutrient-rich worm castings for use in your houseplants or outdoor garden. Setting up a worm bin can be done in a little less then an hour with materials that you may already have in your home.

Step 1

Drill holes into the bottom of one of your plastic bins. Holes should be no more than 1/4 of an inch in diameter.

Step 2

Place bricks or rocks in the bottom of the other plastic bin. This bin will be used to catch drainage or "compost tea." Place the bin with holes on top of the bricks.

Step 3

Prepare worm bedding by shredding newspaper, cardboard, or dried lawn materials such as leaves or grass clippings. Place 2 to 3 inches of bedding material on the bottom of your worm compost bin.

Step 4

Moisten the bedding with water until damp. Allow the bedding to rest for 24 hours. Fluff bedding to provide adequate air supply and add a couple handfuls of soil or sand to the compost bin.

Step 5

Place one pound of red wigglers on top of the bedding. Red wigglers do not like the light and will burrow into the bedding.

Step 6

Feed the worms fruit, vegetables, bread, eggshells, or coffee grounds. Move bedding from an area of the bin, place food in the bare spot, and recover with bedding. Choose a different spot each time you feed your worms.

Step 7

Cover the compost bin with damp burlap, a plastic lid, or an old t-shirt.