Start a worm bin

30 minutes · Easy · 7 steps

Worms turn kitchen scraps into rich castings, all year, even in an apartment.

Cross-section of a two-bin worm composter
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Fig. Cross-section of a two-bin worm composter.

  1. Air holes in the lid
  2. Air holes around the top of the bin
  3. Damp shredded paper for bedding
  4. Food scraps buried under the bedding
  5. Red wigglers
  6. Finished castings build up at the bottom
  7. Drain holes; the outer bin catches any liquid

What you'll need

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You'll also need

  • Two plastic storage bins that nest, 10 gallons or more, one with a lid
  • Shredded newspaper or cardboard for bedding
  • A handful of garden soil
  • A drill with a small bit

Steps

  1. Drill 20 or so small holes in the bottom of one bin, and a row of holes around the top edge and in the lid for air.
  2. Set that bin inside the other bin, so the bottom one catches any liquid.
  3. Soak shredded paper in water, squeeze it out until it's as damp as a wrung-out sponge, and fill the bin about two-thirds full. Mix in the handful of soil.
  4. Add the worms and let them settle in for a day or two before feeding.
  5. Bury small amounts of chopped vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and crushed eggshells under the bedding, in a different spot each time.
  6. Keep the bin somewhere between 55 and 77°F, out of the sun: a basement, garage, or under the sink.
  7. In 3 to 6 months, when the bin is mostly dark castings, push everything to one side and feed only the other side. In a few weeks the worms move over, and you can scoop out the finished side.

Tips

  • Start slow: a pound of worms eats about half a pound of scraps a day once they settle in.
  • Leave out meat, dairy, oils, citrus, onions, and garlic.
  • Fruit flies? Bury food deeper and lay a sheet of damp newspaper on top.