I am near Myrtle Beach SC, (Little River) so our climate is not that different. It is a little warmer in Charleston.

I have started my worms outside about 3 months ago so I don't have a lot to report right now. I added them to my exsisting large pallet bin.

So far the worms have kind of disappeared into the large bin, I am pretty sure they are in there working the bin for me but I haven't dug around trying not to disturb them.

I also have a 55 gallon drum that is bottomless with holes drilled in the sides. So far I have filled it with lots of shredded paper and cardboard and a few food scraps. I planned on doing an experiment on this bin adding mostly shredded corrigated cardboard (spelling is not my strength) I have not ordered worms for this bin yet though. I am allowing the paper and cardboard to age a bit first, and I don't really want to spend the money on the worms right now.

I will be happy to share my experiences with you on my worming.

I have read in this forum that you can have outside bins in just about any climate though, Kelly S has emailed me that even in HOT southern Florida there are thriving outside bins some people even throw in froven 2 liter bottles of water in the bin to cool it down.

I wish I could help more but I will keep you posted on the progress of my main bin and my new bin once it is setup.

A good in-ground worm bin set-up discussion can be found at wormsturn.com, section worm bins, titled "Funky Outside Worm Bin". These guys are somewhere up North in 40 below temps sometime.

Chuckiebtoo

cool idea re frozen 2 liter bottles, literally!! I was worried about frying anything out in yard, as only shade would come from 2 very skinny pine trees and me, standing over bin trying to fathom if all is well. (will have to go to work still, even after worms arrive. DH says so. sigh. so can't spend all my time shading worms.) But guess if container is large enough, moist enough and maybe has white painted lid and frozen 2 liters in it, a herd might have a chance here.

Thanks for link chuckiebtoo!

I've been vermicomposting in Gaston, South Carolina (near Columbia) for about 12 years. I've never had a problem keeping my worms warm in the winter -- it's keeping them cool in the summer that's a challenge!

I've never done an in-ground bed, but I've had great success with containers. The trick is that they have to be large enough to sustain a cool center in the summer, and should be vented at the top to allow heat to rise and pass off. My two best bins are 1) an old black pastic thing that was marketed as a composter but was never very good for that purpose; and 2) a white plastic utility sink that I bought at Lowe's. I've also used a barrel with air holes drilled throughout and a specially built bench box with a hinged lid.

It helps if you can position the container in a shady spot or give it an eastern exposure so it gets warm morning sun but is sheltered from the blazing hot afternoon sun.