1. Obtain A Worm Composting Bin
Everything you need to get started is included with a worm composting kit, including ½ pound of worms. A number of suppliers offer worm composting bins for sale, click here to find a bin. Also, check with your local compost retailer for a variety of compost bins and other environmentally friendly lawn and garden supplies.

2. Add Bedding Material And Worms
Fill the bin with moist bedding material. You can use coconut coir, which is coarse fiber extracted from the outer shell of a coconut. You can also make your own bedding. Add worms (1/2 lb. is usually enough to get started). Making your worm bedding material is easy:

* Start with about 4 pounds of shredded newspaper, cardboard or pH neutral peat moss.
* Add about 1 gallon of cool tap water slowly and soak until moist, like a damp sponge.
* Mix in 1 handful of soil from your yard or garden (for grit).
* Add 6 dry, crushed egg shells.
* Mix all the ingredients together.

3. Disperse Your Materials Evenly Into A Compost Bin
Feed your worms regularly, start with small amounts, gradually increasing the amount you give them based on their rate of consumption.

* Fruit and vegetable peelings and scraps, bread, pasta, beans, coffee ground and filters, tea bags, napkins and paper towels.
* Clippings from house plants, cut flowers, fresh herbs (small amounts only), etc.
* Crushed egg shells.
* Only feed ½ lb food per 1 lb of worms.

* Worms are vegeterian, so don’t feed them meat, dairy, oil or any meat by-products such as pet food.
* Avoid acidic fruits and vegetables like citrus, rotten tomatoes, etc.
* Don’t overfeed your worms. One pound of worms can eat up to ½ lb. of food every day.

4. Maintain Your Worm Bin
Keep the worm bin warm, but not hot, and keep it out of direct sunlight. Don’t let the worm bedding get too wet. Add shredded newspaper to absorb excess moisture.

5. Harvest Your Worm Compost
Your finished worm compost will be ready for use in about 4 – 6 weeks. There are three methods for harvesting your worm compost:

Quick & Easy Method

Gently remove the compost, including worms, and use it in your yard and garden, or as part of a potting soil mix.

End Feeding Method

Put all food at one end of the bin every day for several weeks and the worms will migrate toward that end. Then remove the worm compost from the other end.

Spread Method

Remove the compost from the bin and spread it out thinly, pick out the worms, and put them back in the worm bin.