Start Your Bin
You have your bin built — now it's time to add worms and get composting.
Starting your worm bin is exciting, but the key to success is patience. Follow these four simple rules and your worms will thrive.
The Four Rules
Bury your food
Always bury food scraps under the bedding. This prevents fruit flies from finding the food and keeps your bin smelling fresh.
Feed in corners
Add food to one corner at a time. This lets you see how much food is left from previous feedings and allows worms to move away if something is wrong with the food.
Keep a thick bedding layer
Maintain at least 3 inches of bedding on top of the food. A thick layer keeps moisture balanced and discourages fruit flies.
Don't overfeed
Start with small amounts of food and increase gradually as your worm population grows. Overfeeding causes moisture buildup, odors, and pest problems. Feeding too little is always better than too much.
Getting Started
Add your worms
Place your worms on top of the moist bedding. They will naturally burrow down into the bin within a few hours. Keep the lid off or slightly ajar for the first hour — the light encourages them to move down quickly.
Wait 2–3 days before feeding
Give your worms time to settle into their new home before adding food. They've been through a stressful journey and need time to adjust.
Start with small amounts
Begin with a small handful of food scraps buried in one corner. Good first foods: fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, tea bags, and crushed eggshells. Avoid meat, dairy, oils, and anything cooked.
Check moisture levels
Your bin should feel like a wrung-out sponge. If it's too wet, add dry shredded newspaper. If it's too dry, mist lightly with water.
Be patient
It takes a few weeks for your worm population to settle in and start reproducing. You'll notice the food disappearing faster as the colony grows. Within a few months your bin will be thriving.
Feed These
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea bags (remove staples)
- Crushed eggshells
- Shredded paper and cardboard
- Grass clippings and plant trimmings
Avoid These
- Meat, fish, or bones
- Dairy products
- Oils and greasy foods
- Citrus in large amounts
- Onions and garlic (in large amounts)
- Metal items like staples