
A worm composter can be kept indoors or out. Fill the bin with bedding, such as shredded newspaper or shredded dried leaves. Place some sand/dirt on top, put your scraps in a layer in the middle then cover with more bedding/dirt. When you add new scraps, dig in a little then cover them up again.
This design has two stacking units, but you can add as many as you want, depending on how much waste your family produces. The units fit into each other and lift up easily to rearrange or carry to the garden etc.
Fill the bottom tier with bedding, dirt, scraps and worms. As it fills up, start adding the material to the next tier. The worms should eventually move on up to the top when they run out of food in their level, leaving beautiful castings behind - perfect compost for your garden. When you empty the bottom unit into your garden, place it on top and start over, filling it as the bottom unit becomes saturated.
This is my first project from my own plans. I built it before improving the plans so my my actual worm compost bin that I built is full of flaws, but I've worked on it in sketchup and I think it's good to go now. You'll do a better job than I did.
Also, I used pine, to keep costs down and I finished it with a clear, food safe protective coat. Don't use paints or stains which could leech toxins into your compost. If you can fork out for cedar it will last much longer (and will look better too).
Don't judge the project by my photos of the completed one. I made lots and lots of mistakes. I think the final plans should be good though (maybe I'll make another one..). This is a fun way to compost. The kids will love it. Worms make wonderful compost that will enrich your garden. And they're lovely little pets too.
Keep it sheltered if possible, insulate in below freezing temperatures or move it indoors. It should be odorless, if you notice an odor, you probably just need to give it a stir to let some air in on the action.

Preparation
(plywood) 2'x4'
(1x2) 4
(1x3) 2
(1x6) 2
2 pieces of mesh, about 9" by 9" each
food safe protective coat (optional)
staples
(Plywood) - 2 @ 14.5" X 14.5" (or you can use boards stuck together with pocket hole screws and glue, especially if you want to use cedar for weather resistance)
(1x2)
4 @8"
6 @ 11.5"
6 @ 11"
2 @ 9.5"
2 @ 10"
4 @ 4 1/4"
6 @ 14 1/2"
(1x3)
4 @ 4 1/4"
4 @ 14.5"
4 @ 9.5"
(1x6)
4 @ 14.5"
4 @ 13"
These dimensions are based on 1x2 boards being 1.5" in actual measurement and 1x3 boards being 2.5". If your boards are different size you will need to adjust some measurements.

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!
Instructions
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion.
Comments
traciecook
Wed, 03/30/2011 - 15:22
Great
This is great! I wanted to get into composting and now I have no excuse!
niecey
Wed, 03/30/2011 - 22:52
The general advice is 2000
The general advice is 2000 worms for 1 lb of food waste a day. If you have less food waste, use fewer worms. More food waste and you'll need more worms and you'll want to add more tiers probably. Or start using both boxes at once, (and sift out worms when harvesting the compost). Use red wiggler worms. You can order them online. They're the best kind for composting.
Kari Beth
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 06:38
This is great!
Thank you for the plans! Can't wait to get this going!
One question: is there food waste that you do not put into your composte?
ACraftyCauldron
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 07:44
Just In Time!
My husband and I were just talking about building one of these last weekend. Thank you so much!!!
traciecook
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 09:06
Another question
If I am using the compost strictly for flowers and shrubs, can I put in dog waste?
Thanks!
niecey
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 12:58
You should stick to
You should stick to vegetation, avoid meat products/dairy etc. You can put in crushed egg shells. The main reason to avoid meat/dairy is so you don't get unwanted visitors/critters getting into it. Plus it can contain dangerous bacteria etc.
Christa (not verified)
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 17:07
Thank you so much for
Thank you so much for posting. Any idea on approx cost investment? I ask because I'm wondering how much more cost effective this would be from me buying a plastic one with a turner thingy.
niecey
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 19:43
If you use pine and get the
If you use pine and get the cheap furring strips and already have the tools you have do it for under $50. Less if you already have wood glue/screws etc. I can get the 1x2s for less than $1 a piece and the 1x3 for less than $2. The 1x6 are about $6.5 here and you need a couple. Then the cost of the mesh. It won't last as long as the plastic one though, because the wood will rot over time. Cedar would be better, but it costs more. I have a tumbling composter too and use it for my bunny poop, garden waste and like watermelon skin etc. The worm one gets used for potato peels, apple cores etc. I like the tumbling one too, it's very useful and it has the ability to catch some of the juices which seem to be very rich and helps my garden a lot.
katieg919
Wed, 04/06/2011 - 11:22
Placement
Thanks for this great plan! My big question: Does it smell?
Guest (not verified)
Thu, 04/07/2011 - 22:02
Worm Composting
I keep a container beside the sind and chop up all my scraps into small peices after that the container goes into the freezer for 3 days. This will kill all the fruit fly eggs and helps break down the food faster. When I place my scraps into the composter I mix it 50/50 with shreddes paper and make sure there is always a couple of inches of shredded paper on top of the bin.
It be nice to drill a hole in the bottom to catch the worm tea, this makes great fertilizer.
Guest (not verified)
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 13:05
Compost comments
You might try your local wood rehab stores. We buy a lot of lumber at the local habitat store. Then I keep things out of the land fill and my funds go to a great cause not some big corporation!
niecey
Sun, 04/17/2011 - 23:54
Does it smell?
It shouldn't smell at all. I don't notice any odor from mine. If it smells you're probably just not burying the waste in the bedding well enough. Just place some of the shredded paper on top of the waste when you put it in the box. Or possibly it's too air tight, in which case, give it a stir and when oxygen gets in on the action you shouldn't notice a smell anymore. I've never had issue with smell from either my worm compost or my regular compost. It's not the same as like when a piece of veg falls behind the trash can and stinks for a week hehe. It's a whole wonderful living chemistry going on, breaking down the waste and turning it into rich fertilizer for your garden. I keep mine right at my patio door.
kerryandwesley
Thu, 01/19/2012 - 18:02
Runoff?
A friend who has been composting with worms for some time asked me where the liquid runoff will go in this set up. I have looked at plastic worm composters, and they all seem to have a spigot/runoff valve. Any thoughts here? Thanks!
Guest (not verified)
Thu, 02/23/2012 - 21:13
Drill a hole or two in the
Drill a hole or two in the bottom of the base, put a screen over the hole, and place a drip pan of some form under the base. The runoff will flow through the hole and into the pan below.
jaime6891
Thu, 05/24/2012 - 09:19
How long are the boards?
Hi, I am making my list to shop for everything, but the plans don't specify how long the 1x2, 1x3, and 1x6 boards are.
Thanks!
Brenda Wright (not verified)
Fri, 07/27/2012 - 12:30
worm bin
My worm bins must be kept cool, 50 - 72 degrees, in order for the worms to produce and stay alive. They can be kept outside in the winter, but I live in Texas, so they stay indoors.
Brenda
iluv2golf
Fri, 02/13/2015 - 10:55
Air circulation
I do not see any holes for air circulation. Has anybody had any problems with this?