Also... I plan to just use the native worms in my soil already (I have lots and lots)... so if you have any other ideas instead of these ... like maybe just a few little worm feeding stations for the worms that are here that somehow also harvests their poopoo (instead of trapping them in a box)... I would love to see those photos too! Thanks!

Cori Ann, if you don't like the idea of having worms "trapped" in a bin then just construct a bottomless one and place it on some bare soil, add some bedding, then worms and food. They will be happy to stay within the bin if there's a food supply and conditions are right. Just keep it covered to keep out rain, light and curious critters. I got started with my vermicomposting when I found gobs of worms that self-populated a bottomless compost bin I got from city. I wasn't even trying to get worms into it, I was just composting a few yard scraps and kitchen waste. As they say.....".build it and they will come."

If you decide to make a fully enclosed bin, don't feel like the worms are trapped. I'm sure they are happy to be in there because conditions are right and food is plentiful. Wouldn't you stay in place where you are safe and warm, great food is always available, and dare I say mating opportunities are plentiful? Gee.....sign me up!!

Harry

Thanks Harry. I think I will do just that. I believe the same thing... if you build it, they will come. And I like the idea of free range worms. ;)

"Free range worms"......I like that. Trust me, if you have a bottomless bin loaded with good bedding materials and sources of food, your worms won't want to be anywhere else. And you can sleep better at night knowing that they can leave your 5-star hotel any time they want.

Harry

Utilizing the native herd is progress, my friend ;)

My composter is copied from the book "let an earthworm be your garbage man" . essentially it is a four sided cinder block box which is one layer below grade and as many above as is needed. I chose to layer the bottom with oyster shells, then the process is dirt, composting material, dirt, etc. I top with hay and burlap, sometimes cardboard. It is satisfying to fill a setup like this and watch it subside into good earth. Watering speeds the process, of course, and coffee grounds are, according to the results of an experiment a relative of my friend did, the best top feed for size and reproductive capacity of earthworms. Like myself, worms know a good thing. I have no pictures, but the idea is very simple and easy to build.

As in Field of Dreams, if you build it they will come. Simple wet cardboard is enough to draw them. Junkmail. They are practically catfish. I draw them to favored plants with mulch and stones. If i can get my truck right i know that a load of composted horse manure can easily spawn a megaherd. But for me the end is nothing more than soil-building.

I saw an elegant wooden worm bin on youtube once. It was partially below grade aside an outbuilding. This assures a cooler temp in summer, warmer in winter.

Baldeagleomelette I think that's the exact setup I want! Awesome! I will start figuring out how and where to set this up in my own yard. Thank you so much!

I'm in the "build it and they will come" catagory. My compost bin built of lattice on three sides and slats of wood that will slide in to the desired height on the front. Filled with kitchen scaps and garden debris all year. The worms just moved in by the millions.

Thanks for the photos! Great, simple, awesome design!! How bad are the critters that get into it? Raccoons, possums, squirrels, etc?

Skunks can't climb into the bin, have never seen a squirrel or possum in there, I know I get the odd raccoon and feral cat. But I live in a rural area and don't mind them passing thru as long as they don't get into buildings. Then, all bets are off!

this is the bottomless bin I build from a palet that was using up space. It has two covers (each half the length of the bin) as you can see there is plenty of ventilation. I hope it won't dry out to much, we will see....

I'm new and frankly my worms know more than I do !

But search YouTube for Worm Gitter. You'll find video demo's of two sticks being rubbed together and worms jumping out of the ground. One stick about 30 inches long has bumps / knobs carved up & down it. The other is about 20 inches long and appears to be a plain dowel. The longer stick with the bumps has a point which is stuck into the soil about two inches. Then the plain stick is rubbed up & down the bumpy stick. This vibration seems to make the worms exit the soil, even in day light.

My other idea is to set a mesh or wire bottomed box on ground. Fill it with bedding and other yummy worm stuff, moisten and cover with cardboard. In a few weeks / months it may have many worms in it. I just set one up myself and will check it in about a month.

I'm too cheap to buy a $20 Worm Gitter but will eventually carve my own.

I think you could skip the Gitter altogether, the box full of worm goodies will no doubt bring plenty of worms to the party. Worms are seen less often near the surface in the summer because the soil is more dry, but check your box after a rainy day/night.