Stacking Worm Bins

by Valerie
(Tacoma, WA)

Hello, I've been pouring over your site & It has been very informative, however I do have a question about worm composting.

I was thinking of doing wooden worm bins in a stacked configuration with each holding 1 pound of worms. Each box is 20" x 13" x 7" deep (that's the dimensions of some inexpensive wooden wine boxes I can get off craigslist in my area) My specific question is:

If I am using a stacked system do I need to drill holes in the bottom of the boxes so that worms & moisture can travel through the system, or is it best if I keep each box self contained & they just happen to be stacked in order to save space on my patio?

Thank you for taking the time to read & respond to my question. Any tips you can give me regarding my plans would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Valerie

Answer from BigTex Worms
Those boxes sound great.
You could do it either way but I would suggest just keeping them as separate boxes. I honestly have not liked the migrating systems (holes in the bottoms). I have seen better results with individual bins.
But the size you describe would likely better accomodate 1/2 pound of worms not a full pound. If you overcrowd the worms they will not eat or breed and will eventually start dying off too.
Yes, they will breed up to around a pound in that size bin but I would not start with that amount.
In fact, I would start with ONE bin to make sure they are going to like the wood.
You did not mention what type of wood it is but make sure it is not chemical or fertilizer treated. Also, worms do not like cedar worm bins or pine wormbins.

Liz
BigTex Worms