How to Drill the Holes for Worm Composting Bins

Composting saves the gardener money. You can turn your own biodegradable garbage into mineral-rich, useable soil. You can make your own compost bin using a standard plastic tote. One of the most important steps in making the compost bin is drilling ventilation holes. Do not forget to take this important, but easy, step when making your compost bins.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 8-gallon plastic tote
• Measuring tape
• Marker
• Drill with ¼-inch drill bit
• Goggles

1. Tip the tote on one side. Choose a starting point for your measuring. Start at the bottom left of the tote, about 3 inches up from the bottom, and work from left to right.

2. Make the marks for your ventilation holes. Use the measuring tape to measure 1½ to 2 inches between each mark. Make a dot with the marker to indicate where to drill.

3. Work in rows from left to right. Keep working your way up to within 2 inches of the top of the tote.

4. Cover all four sides of the tote with the marks for holes. Do not forget to mark the lid as well.

5. Fit the drill with a ¼-inch drill bit. Put on goggles to protect your eyes.

6. Drill from the outside of the tote to the inside at each marker dot.

7. Flip the tote over. Drill about 20 holes in the bottom of the tote to allow for drainage.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not own a drill, you can make the holes in the compost bin by using a hammer and a nail. This way takes a little longer, but it is possible. Just be careful not to use a large nail. Stick with nails that are ¼ inch or less in diameter.

Resources

• DIY Worm Composting
• Cheap and Easy Worm Bin