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I started vermicomposting (using worms to compost kitchen scraps) indoors to avoid trekking to the compost bin in winter. I made my own worm bin out of a plastic box. I use the worm castings ("worm poop") to top-dress my plants.
To make a worm bin, you'll need:
A 5-to-10-gallon opaque plastic storage box with lid
A hammer and large gauge nail
Large pieces of gravel
Heavy plastic sheeting, such as an old shower curtain, cut to fit the bottom of the box
Black-and-white newspaper (no colored inks), cut into wide strips
A scoop of garden soil, sand, or ground eggshells (to provide the grit worms need to digest food)
500 to 1,000 red wigglers (Eisenia foetida)* .
1. Punch 3 rows of of ventilation holes (spaced 1 inch apart) in the sides of the box 3 inches from the bottom, another at the center, and another 2 inches from the top of the box, using the hammer and nail. Put a single layer of gravel into the bottom of the box for drainage.
2. Poke rows of holes spaced 1 inch apart into the plastic sheeting. Put the plastic sheeting over the rocks to form a barrier between the drainage and bedding layers.
3. Soak the newspaper strips in water for 5 minutes; then wring them out until they feel like a damp sponge. Fluff up about half of the strips; mix in the soil, sand, or ground eggshells; and fill the box one-third full.
4. Sprinkle the worms evenly into the bedding. Add the remaining newspaper strips until the box is just over half full.
5. Put on the lid. Each week, add organic kitchen waste (such as vegetable peelings) to the bin and make sure the bedding is still moist.
