How to make a Worm Bin

Materials Needed:
1 - 4 ft x 8 ft x ½" sheet exterior plywood
1 - 14 ft length 2" x 4" Timber
1 - 16 ft length 2" x 4" Timber
galvanised nails
galvanised nails
2 - 3" door hinges

Tools Needed:

Tape measure, hand saw, hammer, long straight edge, screwdriver, chisel, wood glue, and drill with ½" bit. Use eye and ear protection.

Picture of worm compost dimensions.

Construction Details:

Measure and cut plywood as indicated on drawing A above. To make base, cut the 14 foot 2" x 4" into five pieces: two 48" and three 20" long. The remaining 12" piece will be used in making the sides as described below. Nail the 2" x 4"s together on edge with two nails at each joint as illustrated in diagrams. Nail the plywood piece onto the 2"x 4" frame.

To build the box, cut three 12" pieces from the 16 foot 2" x 4". Place a 12" 2" x 4" under the end of each side panel so that the 2" x 4" is flush with the top and side edges of the plywood, and nail the boards into place. Nail the side pieces onto the base frame. To complete the box, nail the ends onto the base and sides. To reinforce the box, place a nail at least every 3 inches wherever plywood and 2" x 4"s meet. Drill twelve ½" holes through the bottom of the box for drainage.

To build the lid as illustrated in diagram D, cut the remainder of the 16 foot 2" x 4" into two 51" lengths and two 27" pieces. Cut lap joints in the corners (see diagram C), then glue and nail the frame together. Centre the plywood onto the 2" x 4" frame and nail. Lay top on ground with plywood surface touching the ground. Attach hinges to the top and back. Position hinges so the screws go through plywood and 2" x 4"s.

Once the worm bin is constructed, make bedding for the worms with shredded and moistened newspaper or cardboard. Maintain the system by burying food wastes throughout the bin on a rotational basis. Every three to six months, move the compost to one side of the bin and add new bedding to the empty half. The worms will soon move to the new bedding. Harvest the compost and add new bedding to the rest of the bin.

Return to: Worm Composting Page