Garden Construction Coach on How to Make a Worm Bin

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Learn how to make a worm bin of your own fast!

It isn’t hard to learn how to make a worm bin. Really, all you need is:

• one sheet of 1/2 inch exterior plywood
• two, 2x4s
• two, 2x2s
• wood screws
• two, 3×2 hinges
• 4 feet of 1/4 inch rope.

How long does it take to make a worm bin?

It took me about 1/2 a day to get the supplies, cut all the pieces and then assemble it.

Start by cutting the wood for your worm bin:

• Start by cutting the plywood in half so you end up with two sections that are about 48″ x 48″.
  When you cut the sheet in half, center the saw blade down the middle of your line. This way you end up with two even pieces. Also, they will each be a little shorter then 48″ by about 1/8″.
• Then take one of the halves and cut it into 3 equal pieces. These will form the front, back and two sides of the bin.
• From one of the three section, I then cut one in half to form the two sides.
• Finally cut the other half sheet not quite in the center to make the bottom of the bin and the lid.
• Next, cut the 2x2s into sections for the base and front side supports.
• Then the 2x4s are cut for the lid and back side supports.

Next, assemble the base of the bin:

• Layout the 2x2s to form the base.
• To add a little support nail the pieces together.
• Then take the bottom plywood piece and lay it on top and secure it with wood screws.
• The last thing to do is to drill 3/8″ holes into the plywood bottom to allow water to drain. Now the bottom is complete.

Now build the sides of your worm bin:

• Start by attaching the 2×2 front side supports to the front plywood piece.
• To do this, line up the top of the 2×2 with the top edge of the plywood front.
• Then line up the top of the 2×2 with the back plywood piece.
• Attach the 2×4 side supports in the same way as the 2×2, lining up the top edge of the plywood with the 2×4 support.

Next, attach the side pieces to your bin.

• The side pieces will overlap the front and back plywood.
• Also when placed on the bottom, you’ll notice that the bottom frame is visable, and the sides do not touch the ground. This is correct. That’s because you don’t want the sides to be in contact with the ground.
• With the sides connected and on the bottom, secure the sides to the bottom frame with wood screws.

Now, create the lid.

• Start on the lid by laying out the 2×4 lid frame pieces.
• The 2x4s are not attached together, so use some long clamps to hold them together.
• The lid plywood piece will go on top, and that will hold the frame together.
• Lay the lid plywood piece over the lid frame and center the piece. It won’t go to the edges and there is about an inch overlap on the sides and 1/4″ on the back and front.
• With the lid piece centered, I attach it with wood screws.

Here’s how to finish the construction.

• Attach the lid to the bin with 2 3″x2″ square hinges.
• Center the hinges on the 2×4 support on the back side of the bin.
• Then put the lid on and center it on the bin. There is about an inch or so over lap on the sides and front.
• With the lid in place I attach the hinges to the 2×4 frame of the lid.

And, a final nifty worm bin customization:

Attaching a piece of rope to the bin side and lid will keep your bin lasting longer. That’s because the rope will keep the lid from opening too far. So, you won’t break the hinges. And, you’ll be able to open lid and have it stay open without holding it.

• Drill a hole about 4″ from the front and 3″ from the top of the side piece.
• Then mark the lid at the same location and drill a hole.
• The hole in the lid should go through the 2×4 and not the plywood top.
• Then tie a knot on one end of the rope, thread it from the inside through the hold in the side and up through the hole in the lid.
• Open the lid, just past vertical and tipping back slightly and then tie another knot at the right length.
• Finally, cut off any excess rope length.

Your worm bin is now done!

Now, you just need to fill it with some bedding material and worms to get it making compost for you.

Uh, what’s bedding & what worms do I need?

We’ve got another post on making a super simple indoor worm bin composter. And, that post details ingredient do’s and don’ts. Plus, it offers a few worm bin troubleshooting tips as well.