Worm Bins for Small-Scale Composting

A great solution for small scale composting is a worm bin, which is a small container with a tray on the bottom (collects worm castings), a piece of meshed wire (allows the castings to fall into the tray while keeping the worms and undigested material out of the good stuff) and a lid. Kitchen scraps and garden debris are added into the top portion of the bin along with the worms. The worms eat the scraps/debris and produce worm castings. The worm castings are an extra-rich growing medium. You can plant directly into the worm castings, mix them with existing compost or soil, or top-dress fertilize existing plants. To fertilize existing plants, spread the worm castings on the soil and gentle hand-till it in. Worm bins are not an effect large-scale composting method (unless you have several bins). They are great as a supplement to your large-scale compost pile or a solution for small-scale, urban gardens. Worm bins are available pre-made or you can make one yourself. The Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) is a great source for ideas on how to construct a worm bin. 

The following pictures illustrate the diversity of worm bin - some simple others complex.