Worm farming (vermiculture): how to start and maintain a worm compost bin

If you’ve ever wished you could cut down on food waste while giving your plants a natural boost, worm farming might just be the answer. Also known as vermiculture or vermicomposting, it’s a simple, low-cost way to recycle kitchen scraps and turn them into nutrient-rich compost (worm castings). Best of all, it doesn’t take up much space - you can set up a worm compost bin in a garden corner, a balcony, or even indoors.

Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

Why worm farming is worth it

Worms are nature’s recyclers. They munch through food scraps and transform them into rich compost known as “vermicompost” or "worm castings". This dark, crumbly material is packed with nutrients and works wonders on soil and plants. Along the way, you’ll be sending less waste to landfill and creating a closed-loop system right at home. It’s low effort, low cost and high reward.

Setting up your worm bin

You don’t need anything fancy to begin. You can easily buy a ready-made worm compost bin with starter pack so you'll have everything you need. This comes with:

• 500g composting worms direct from a Herefordshire farm
• A full guide to worm composting to ensure success
• Bedding block for your worms to settle in to
• 2kg lime mix to balance the pH and prevent odours
• Moisture matt to retain humidity for a healthy worm environment
• 2kg worm treat to keep your worms active and productive

Feeding your worms

Worms aren’t fussy, but they do have preferences. Fruit and veg peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags and crushed eggshells are all welcome. Chop big scraps into smaller pieces to help the worms eat faster.

Avoid too much meat, dairy, oily foods and citrus - these can cause smells and upset the balance of the bin. A good rule of thumb: if it grows in the ground, worms will usually love it, so keep vegetation as the primary source for your worms to consume.

Keeping your worm bin healthy

Like any little ecosystem, balance is key. Here are a few tips to keep things running smoothly:

• Moisture: Bedding should feel like a wrung-out sponge. Too wet? Add more cardboard. Too dry? Sprinkle with a little water.

• Temperature: Worms like it mild - ideally between 15-25°C. Keep the bin in a sheltered spot out of direct sun or frost.

• Airflow: Give your bin a stir every now and then to keep it aerated and prevent smells.

Harvesting your compost

After a few months, you’ll notice dark, crumbly compost building up. This is the good stuff. Gently scoop it out and spread it around your plants, mix it into soil or use it to top-dress houseplants. It’s like giving your garden a vitamin boost.

Worm farming is one of those small eco projects that packs a punch. It turns waste into something valuable, reduces your environmental footprint and keeps your garden thriving. And once you get started, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your worms become part of the household.