Vermicomposting 101: A Guide to Worm Composting

  • Nov 17, 2025
  • Jordan Ashby, Linda Bilsens Brolis
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  • Fact Sheets and Guides
  • Composting for Community
  • Community Composting
  • Food Security
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    ILSR’s Vermicomposting 101 Guide, available in English and Spanish, covers the fundamentals of composting with worms, including worm facts, managing a worm bin, and how to harvest vermicompost.

    This 12-page resource was developed to provide a simple how-to guide for home vermicomposters or as a training resource for communities.

    Download the Full Guides:      

    English       Spanish

    What’s included: 

    • A comparison of the differences between vermicomposting and hot composting
    • An introduction to caring for worms and guidance on what materials are recommended for vermicomposting
    • Considerations for setting up a vermicomposting system
    • How to Vermicompost in 10 Steps

    Bonus resource: Level up your vermicomposting education with art and download the Red Wiggler Digestive System Coloring Page!

    About Composting

  • Vermicomposting is a process that relies on earthworms and microorganisms to break down organic materials and convert them into vermicompost, a valuable soil amendment and source of plant nutrients that consists largely of worm castings (aka worm poop).

    • Reduces waste: Wasted food is the largest single component of everyday garbage. Vermicomposting food scraps and yard trimmings keeps waste out of polluting landfills and incinerators.
    • Empowers people: Home composting encourages people to become aware of their wasting habits and take an active role in reducing wasted food.
    • Protects the climate: Landfills and incinerators emit potent greenhouse gases. But vermicompost added to soils helps sequester carbon — or pull carbon from the atmosphere — while reducing the need for fertilizers made with fossil fuels.
    • Enhances soil: Applied to soil, vermicompost adds soil organic matter and enhances soil structure, fertility, microbial activity, water holding capacity, and ability to resist plant diseases.

  • Learn more about hot backyard composting with our Home Composting 101 guide and our other Home Composting Resources.

  • Learn more about composting in your community with our Community Composting 101 guide and our other Community Composter Resources. For a deeper dive on starting a community composting initiative, explore our self-paced Community Composting 101 Online Certificate Course.

  • Our Composting Learning Activities provide a hands-on complement to our Community Composting 101 Online Certificate Course, which prepares participants to establish and manage composting projects that both engage and serve their communities.

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    Supplemental Vermicomposting Resources

    Much of the information in this guide comes from internationally renowned vermicomposting expert, Rhonda Sherman. Rhonda served as the Extension Solid Waste Specialist for the Departments of Horticultural Sciences and Biological & Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University for over 30 years. Check out her legacy of resources in the NCSU Vermicomposting resource library.

    Check out the NYC Compost Project’s Worm Bin Troubleshooting Guide for additional troubleshooting support.

    This guide will soon be available in Spanish. Check out our complete list of Spanish Composting Resources.

    Please take a moment to tell us about how you will use these resources, provide feedback, or give input on future resources.

    This project has been funded in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under a Recycling, Education & Outreach (REO) assistance agreement to ILSR.

    Additional Composting Resources

  • All Composting for Community Resources