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Now and again I discover a bold use for plastic storage totes that I had no idea existed. There are actually a lot of different ways you can use plastic storage containers for gardening. They make great planters, you can use them in hydroponics, and they also can be converted into miniature greenhouses or simple planters. But did you know that they can also be used in worm composting?

If you are not familiar with worm composting (also known as vermicomposting), it is one of the most effective techniques for composting that you are ever going to find. How does it work? You build a habitat for worms by adding old newspapers to a large container. You cut up scraps of leftover food and distribute them throughout the container, and then you add in your worms (the best two options are red wigglers and European nightcrawlers). As the worms eat the food, their digestive tracts process it into compost. You can use their leftover waste to nourish your garden and boost the quality of your soil!

There are numerous types of containers you can feasibly use for worm composting, but as you may have guessed, plastic bins for composting are among the best! You do not need anything special; any large plastic bin (aim for around 10 gallons) will do. If you were to use a wooden container, you’d have to line the inside with plastic—so you may as well just go with plastic to begin with.

In fact, most commercial worm farms do just that. They bulk order plain old plastic bins by the hundreds and set them up for vermicomposting. It may not sound technical, but worm composting is pretty straightforward, so you do not need a complicated solution. The bins do work best if you make a few simple modifications. For example, you should cut some holes in the sides. These will function as air vents and also allow for drainage. There are fancier bins which are designed specifically for worm composting, but you don’t necessarily need to go all out for your home garden.

You can use these bins indoors and outdoors. In fact, you should plan to bring your worm composting bins inside when the weather gets really hot or cold. Not only are extreme temperatures bad for your worms, but they can also crack your plastic bins. You need to maintain the health of the worms and their habitat, so always monitor their temperature. If you are doing your composting right, your worms can live for an entire year.

If the idea of getting into vermicomposting interests you, then read on to the next part in our series to learn more about the benefits of worm composting. Then continue to the next article to discover all the types of bins you can use. Finally, in the last article in the series, I’ll teach you how to set up your own. By the time you finish, you’ll be ready to use plastic bins for worm composting in your garden!