Make Your Own Worm Powered Compost Bin for Cheap!

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Hi folks. Today the project I'm trying out is building a very basic (and cheap) composting system using worms. Or simply, vermicomposting. The main benefit of vermicomposting is getting the worms to speed up the entire process. They eat the materials given and provide worm castings for your garden. It's a win/win!

There are worm bins at box stores or online selling from $30 to upwards of $500 where everything is provided and ready but you can build your own for a lot less. The make-your-own bin is extremely easy to make as well.

So let's get into it. The things you'll need are:

Three 5-gallon buckets

One bucket lid

A drill and a 5/32" drill bit or a way to make holes in the plastic

Cardboard or newspaper - not glossy

Redworms (used - not pictured) or Red Wigglers

Step 1: I took my first two buckets and drilled holes roughly 1 inch apart all along the bottom of the buckets.

Step 2: I drilled air holes along the top-side of the buckets to allow air to circulate and prevent them from creating a vacuum seal together. The air is also needed in the breaking down process of the materials.

Step 3: I lined the bottom with wet (not completely soaked) cardboard before adding some coffee grounds, apples, other scraps, etc.

Step 4: Redworms! I added 100 Redworms to start because they seem to prefer the environment of compost more than standard earthworms that like dirt. 

Step 5: Now place your first worm bucket into your bottom bucket with no holes. Then the empty bucket on top of that with shredded cardboard or newspaper ready. Pop the lid on and you've got a worm composting bin! That's it!

After a few weeks of scraps check your compost and adjust as necessary. Once the worms have moved to the new scraps in the top bucket, empty the bottom bucket while moving the leftover worms to the top and repeat the process. 

Another huge benefit of this is the "compost tea" collection you're going to get besides the castings. This liquid is high in nutrients and does wonders for plants and grass. Some people sell this for big $$. 

I'll try to update the page on the progress of the bin. If you have any questions or tips, please feel free to leave a comment!