Worm Bins: Three Effective Wiggly Composting Machines

Worm Bins: Three Effective Wiggly Composting Machines

I have a healthy appreciation for Worm Bins after managing to get through a winter with a DIY version in my basement. Those little red wigglers made fast work of my food scraps and were a nice alternative to trudging to the compost pile in the cold. Plus, the “instant compost” went right into the soil mix for my seedlings and proved a nice boost for spring planting. However, I know my system rather sucks — not enough aeration, poor drainage, and no easy way to access the all-valued “worm tea”. There are plenty of excellent instructions for making your own worm bin online (I took over my current bin from a friend) — but I thought it would worth it highlighting some of the brands out there for those that want to get started right away.

Can-O-Worms | Price: $129.00 (can probably find it cheaper)

The Can-O-Worms is a nice multi-level, circular vermicomposter that can easily be used indoors or out. Made from 100% recycled materials and a 20,000 worm capacity! Said one reviewer, “One minor drawback is the little plastic tap on the bottom of the can did wear out, and we had to buy a new bin, but 7 years is a pretty good lifetime for a $99 investment. Also, the little holes between the levels sometimes get clogged, but occasional cleaning (take out the tray and spray it with a hose) minimize this issue.”

Gusanito Worm Farm (3, 4, 5-tray) | Price: Depends on # of trays. Lowest is $69.95

The Gusanito seems to be a nice “boxy” worm bin — with the option for several trays for expansion. You fill the bottom tray with worms (can hold 10K-12K) and kitchen scraps — and they little wigglers slowly make their way up through the other trays; leaving behind their valuable casings. Once again, this bin comes from 100% recycled plastic and carries a bonus 5-year warranty. Said one reviewer, “This bin looks good in the kitchen, is more than easy to use and my worms are very happy in it. It has large trays so you can keep using it for a good while before paying it any attention (like removing completed compost). The bottom collects “worm tea” which your plants will love and the lid keeps uglies out of sight but is well ventilated for the worms. And it’s true: no flies, no stink, nada.”

Beauticious Bamboo Worm Bin | Price: The Mercedes of the worm bin world will set you back $895

This worm bin comes to us from the online store of celebrity Daryl Hannah. Sure, it’s probably the “prettiest” vermicomposter out there, but it costs a laugh-inducing $895. If you’re ready to drop that kind of cash on a worm bin, I’ve got a gold-plated compost tumbler out back that I’d love for you to see. Still, there must be some people out there with deep, green pockets as this item is already sold out.