Vermicomposting for Beginners: Start Composting with Worms

Learn how to start vermicomposting with this beginner-friendly guide. Step-by-step setup, feeding tips, and troubleshooting for a healthy worm bin.

If you’ve ever tossed veggie scraps into the trash and thought, “There has to be a better way,” you’re right—there is. It’s called vermicomposting, and it’s one of the easiest, most low-maintenance ways to turn kitchen waste into rich, usable compost… with the help of worms.

I started vermicomposting years ago as a way to reduce food waste and feed my garden without relying on store-bought fertilizers. What I didn’t expect was how simple—and surprisingly fun—it would be. Even if you’re tight on space or nervous about worms, this is a project that’s easy to set up and rewarding from day one.

This guide to vermicomposting for beginners will walk you through everything you need to know: how it works, how to start your own worm bin, and how to keep it healthy and productive. Plus, I’ll share real-world troubleshooting tips so you can skip the frustration and go straight to the good stuff—like nutrient-rich worm castings.

What Is Vermicomposting?

Vermicomposting is a method of composting that uses specific types of worms—usually red wigglers—to break down food scraps and bedding materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment called worm castings. These castings are like black gold for your garden, full of plant-available nutrients and beneficial microbes.

Unlike traditional composting, which relies on heat and microbes, vermicomposting is a cooler, more contained process. That makes it perfect for indoor use, apartment dwellers, or anyone looking to compost year-round without a big outdoor pile.

Why Vermicomposting Is Great for Beginners

If you’re new to composting or don’t have a lot of outdoor space, vermicomposting makes it easy to get started. Here’s why it’s such a good fit for beginners:

• It’s compact—bins can be kept in a basement, garage, or even under the kitchen sink
• It’s low-odor when done right
• It doesn’t require turning or aerating like traditional compost
• You get high-quality compost faster (often in 2–3 months)
• It reduces your food waste in a real, visible way

The Best Worms for Vermicomposting

Not just any earthworm will do. The best species for home vermicomposting is: Eisenia fetida – Commonly called red wigglers

These worms:

• Thrive in rich, decaying organic matter
• Prefer shallow environments (like a worm bin)
• Reproduce quickly under good conditions
• Can eat up to half their body weight in food each day

You can buy red wigglers online from a reputable worm supplier or on Amazon. Look for sellers who offer a live delivery guarantees, like Uncle Jim, who we’ve purchased from.

How to Set Up a Vermicomposting Bin (Step-by-Step)

You can buy a ready-made worm bin—or make one yourself from a plastic tote with a lid. Either way, the setup is the same.

Step 1: Choose the Right Container

Start with a bin that holds about 10 gallons if you’re just composting for a small household.
Tip: A dark-colored plastic tote with a tight-fitting lid works great. Drill small holes in the sides and lid for airflow, and in the bottom for drainage (set the bin on a tray or bricks to catch liquid).

These 10 gallon totes are simple, stackable, and affordable, though you may find cheaper ones at your local dollar store.

Step 2: Add Bedding

Worms need bedding to live in and process along with their food.

Best bedding materials:

• Shredded newspaper (black ink only)
• Coconut coir
• Peat moss
• Shredded cardboard
• A small handful of finished compost (optional)

Moisten the bedding until it feels like a wrung-out sponge. Fluff it to create air pockets.

Step 3: Add Worms

Gently place your red wigglers on top of the bedding. They’ll burrow down on their own to escape the light.

How many to start with? 1 pound of worms (about 1,000) is a great starter amount for a small bin.

Step 4: Feed Your Worms

Start slow! For the first couple weeks, give your worms time to adjust. Feed small amounts and bury the food in the bedding to reduce odors and pests.

Good worm food:

• Fruit and veggie scraps
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Crushed eggshells
• Tea bags (without staples)
• Bread (in moderation)

What to avoid:

• Citrus or onions (can irritate worms)
• Dairy or meat (causes odors and pests)
• Oily or salty foods
• Animal waste
• Moldy or rotting food

Pro tip: Chop scraps into small pieces to speed up decomposition.

Not everything has to go into your worm bin. There are also creative ways to use kitchen scraps beyond composting—especially if you cook or garden a lot.

Step 5: Monitor the Bin

Every few days, check moisture levels (bedding should stay damp, not soggy), odor (it should smell earthy, not rotten), and worm activity.

How to Harvest Finished Vermicompost

In 2–3 months, you’ll start to see dark, crumbly compost in the bin—this is your worm castings.

Two Easy Ways to Harvest

Push & Fill: Push finished compost to one side of the bin and add fresh bedding + food to the other. Over a few weeks, worms will migrate to the new side. Then you can scoop out the finished compost.

Light Sorting: Dump the contents onto a tarp or table under bright light. The worms will burrow down. Scoop off the top layer of castings and repeat.

Using Worm Castings in the Garden

Once your worm bin is up and running, you’ll end up with crumbly, dark compost that’s ready to feed your soil. Here are some of my favorite ways to put worm castings to good use:

• Sprinkle on top of seed-starting mixes
• Mix into potting soil
• Add a scoop to transplant holes
• Brew compost tea for a soil drench
• Top-dress around garden plants or houseplants

Troubleshooting Common Vermicomposting Issues

Even with a simple setup, things can sometimes go sideways. Here are a few common problems you might run into—and what to do about them.

Pin this guide so you’ll have it handy when you’re ready to start composting with worms.

Vermicomposting is one of those homestead systems that runs quietly in the background—saving you money, reducing waste, and feeding your garden all at once.

If you’re just getting started, don’t stress about doing it perfectly. Worms are incredibly forgiving. With a simple setup and a little observation, your bin will thrive in no time.