There are certain types of earthworms that specialize in decomposing plant waste, which they convert into a rich manure know as worm compost- a high fertility soil improver..

A worm compost can be kept working year around. It is a good alternative to a traditional compost pile when the main material available is kitchen scraps and vegetable waste. This type of compost cannot cope with a large amount of material at once.

Common or garden earthworms seen in the soil are not suitable for use in worm composting bins. Brandling worms(Eisenia foetida) or Red Wiggler Worms are most commonly used. They are very efficient recyclers of organic waste and will reproduce quickly in the confines of a bin.

It is good idea to start out with at least 1000 worms – about 18oz (500g) in weight. These worms can be extracted from a maturing compost pile, a manure stack, another worm bin, or they can be purchased by mail order.

Keeping them in a plastic bin or wooden box can provide the dark moist conditions the worms need to live. Worm bins can be purchased, made, or by adopting an existing container such as wooden crates., or even a trash can. Because worms like to feed near the surface the most effective containers have a large surface area. Coir Bricks make a good bedding for worm composters. Coir which is made with coconut fiber is a convenient, compact source of carbon Improve the speed and quality of your compost

Good drainage is vital as kitchen can produce a lot of moisture, and worms will drown if conditions are too wet. If there is no reason to move the worm bin than the bin does not need a base. It can be set directly on the soil. There is no need for the container to be ‘worm proof’, the worms will stay put if the conditions are right for them.

Making a worm bin from a trash can:

1) Drill 2 rings of holes all around the can. One 4-6 in.(10-15cm) from the bottom, the other 3-4 in(7.5-10cm) from the rim

2) To create a drainage reservoir so the worms do not drown add a layer of gravel 6in (15cm) deep. This also stabilizes the bin with weight.

3) Cut a circle of plywood to fit over the gravel and drill holes in it. Or you can use perforated disck of polyethylene.

4) Add a 6-12in (15-30cm) layer of bedding material. This can be strips of newspaper, shredded cardboard, or old compost. It must not be raw uncomposted material.

5) Add the worms.

6) Add a thin layer of suitable food, spread loosely over half the surface.

7) Cover the food with a layer of damp newspaper. Replace the lid of the can.

And there you have it a simple inexpensive homemade worm compost bin.