Make a Wormery
A wormery uses tiger worms to break down kitchen scraps into rich compost and liquid plant food. This guide shows you how to set one up in under an hour.
Quick answer
Drill air holes in a bin. Layer damp shredded paper and a little soil. Add tiger worms. Bury vegetable scraps weekly. Keep the bedding moist and drain the liquid tray regularly.
A wormery turns kitchen scraps into rich compost using tiger worms. You can keep one on a balcony or in a shed. Worms eat vegetable waste and produce nutrient-dense vermicompost and liquid feed.
What you’ll need
- stacking bin or old wooden box
- tiger worms
- shredded newspaper or cardboard
- small amount of soil
- vegetable scraps
- tap or drainage tray
Step by step
- 1
Prepare the bin
Drill small holes in the base and lid for air. Sit the bin on a tray to catch liquid. Raise the bin slightly on bricks if the tray is shallow.
- 2
Add bedding
Soak shredded newspaper or cardboard in water. Squeeze out excess and spread it 5–8 cm deep inside the bin.
- 3
Introduce worms
Scatter a handful of soil over the bedding. Add tiger worms on top. Leave the lid off under a bright light for an hour so they burrow down.
- 4
Start feeding
Bury a small handful of vegetable scraps under the bedding. Cover with more paper. Avoid onion, citrus, meat, dairy and oily food.
- 5
Maintain the wormery
Check weekly. Add scraps when the last lot is gone. Keep the bedding damp like a wrung-out sponge. Collect liquid from the tray every few weeks. Harvest the compost when it looks like dark crumbly soil.
Keep the wormery out of direct sun. Worms overheat above 30 °C. Move it into shade in hot weather.
Common mistakes
- Adding too much food at once
- Letting the bin dry out completely
- Putting in meat, dairy or oily leftovers
- Forgetting to drain the liquid tray
Frequently asked
How many worms do I need?
Start with 250–500 grams of tiger worms for a standard bin.
Why does my wormery smell?
It is probably too wet or overloaded with food. Add dry paper and stop feeding for a week.
Can I use garden worms?
No. Tiger worms live in compost, not soil. Garden worms will not survive in a wormery.
Questions about this guide
No questions yet — be the first to ask one and we’ll help you out.
Comments
No comments yet. Start the conversation.
Did this guide help?
Did you try this?
Help others by sharing how it went.
Show your result
Tried this guide? Share a photo of how it turned out.