How to Start Worm Composting at Home (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’re ready to turn your kitchen scraps into garden gold, worm composting is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to do it. Whether you live in a house, apartment, or homestead, this guide will walk you step-by-step through setting up a worm bin that works — indoors or out.

What You'll Need to Get Started?

Before we dive into setup, gather your worm bin basics:

Item	Details
Worm bin	Plastic tote, stacking trays, or wooden box (at least 10–14 inches deep)
Bedding	Shredded cardboard, peat moss, coconut coir, or pre-mixed bedding like Vermifusion
Moisture	Spray bottle, mister, or hand-squeezed soaking
Mineral grit	Crushed eggshells or oyster shell flour
Worms	Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida) – 1 lb minimum for small bins

Step 1: Choose a Worm Bin

Your bin should be:

• Opaque (worms hate light)
• Well-ventilated
• 10–14 inches deep with a lid
• Able to hold at least 5–10 gallons of material

Pro Tip: Drill holes on the sides and bottom for airflow and drainage. Place inside a second tray to catch liquid.

Step 2: Prepare the Bedding

Worms live in bedding, so make it comfy!

Bedding Mix Options:

• Shredded cardboard (brown, non-glossy)
• Coconut coir (rinsed to remove salt)
• Peat moss (neutralized with lime or oyster shell)
• Mix 2–3 parts bedding to 1 part food waste

Use our Vermifusion Bedding Mix — balanced pH and ready to go.

Moisture Test:

Squeeze a handful — it should feel like a wrung-out sponge. Too wet? Add dry bedding.

Step 3: Add the Worms

Gently place worms on top of the bedding. They’ll dig down away from the light.

Start with:

• 1 lb for a 10-gallon bin (~1,000 worms)
• 2+ lbs for faster processing

Order Red Wigglers from Meme’s Worms

Step 4: Feed Your Worms

Start light. On day 1, add a small handful of food like banana peels or lettuce.

Feeding Tips:

• Bury food slightly to prevent fruit flies
• Wait 3–5 days before second feeding

Step 5: Maintain Moisture & Cover

Keep the bin moist using a spray bottle or mister. Cover with:

• Damp newspaper or cardboard
• A breathable lid or cotton cloth

Step 6: Choose the Right Location

Indoors:

• Garage, laundry room, kitchen corner
• Avoid direct sunlight or freezing temps

Outdoors:

• Shaded, sheltered spot
• Protect from rain, heat, and pests

Ideal temp: 55–80°F (13–27°C)

Step 7: Feed Weekly & Monitor

• Feed once a week when food is mostly gone
• Chop food small for faster breakdown
• Fluff bedding occasionally to add air

Troubleshooting Chart

Symptom	Cause	Fix
Bad smell	Too much food	Remove excess, add dry bedding
Dry bedding	Low humidity	Mist with water
Escaping worms	Too wet, hot, or dry	Correct conditions
Fruit flies	Exposed food	Always bury scraps

When to Harvest Your Castings?

After 8–12 weeks, your bin will have dark, crumbly worm compost.

Use worm castings in:

• Garden beds
• Seed starting soil
• Houseplant top dressings

Learn how to harvest worm castings

Read Our : Worm Composting 101 (Google Doc)

FAQs

Do worm bins smell?

No — a healthy bin smells earthy, not rotten.

Can I keep my bin in the kitchen?

Yes, if properly maintained.

How often should I feed?

Typically once per week. Only when most of the last feeding is gone.