Pick up a copy of Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Apelhof. It will answer many of your qustions. You might just start with a Rubbermaid bin to see how you like it, but it's not tricky.

Cannot answer your questions about your zone. My worms are outside all the time, but we didn't even get down to freezing this winter. Nevertheless, I know I've lost quite a few worms this winter, but the population will pick up when the weather warms up.

Have fun!

get yourself a 17 gallon rubbermaid tote, fill with wet shredded paper, start putting chopped food waste in it, after a week or 2 add worms, yer on the way - in winter put it in the garage in a cardboard box about 3-4" bigger than the tote, fill the space loosely with some type of insulation, even shredded paper - it'll slow down a bit but should be OK

Bill

I am new to vermicomposting myself,only had my bin two months now.
I went ahead and ordered the three teir bin,I keep mine in the kitchen,under the countertop,it very nice looking and easy.
I just open it up when i want to add my food scrapes,add,and that is it.
I started with 1,000,worms bought from (our good earth,)i think is the name of the company,very nice people.

If i were to do it over, i would try to make my own bin,seems easy enough to make and a lot cheaper,i guess it depends how big you want to go with this.
For just my self and my hubby,not a lot of food scrapes so small workes just fine for us.Hope this helps some.

I agree.I started with the three tier and have had excellent results.Just for kicks decided to try the homemade rubbermade bin taught at the ext office. I love the little bins and so do the worms! I keep moist shredded newspaper on top at all times about 2-3 inches. That keeps bugs out and is insulating.By the way I saw a site on tiering the rubbermaid bins I think it was called Oscarjr. Mine is in the garage but would not have any trouble with it in my pantry,unfortunately hubby does not feel the same way I do toward my pretty pink pets!
Also cannot help with the winter question sice we Floridians are more concerned about them being TOO HOT!

Thanks for all your replies! If I do the Rubbermaid tote idea, do I have to modify it in any way? Like drill holes or anything? Do I keep the lid on? How do I go about separating the castings from the other stuff when it's time to use them?

I really like the idea of DIY, just want to make sure I do it right!

I find Rubbermaid bins make excellent worm bins. Keeping the lid on keeps the bin dark and moist, which the worms love. You have to make holes in the sides near the top to let air in and excess moisture out. You don't even need a drill to do this, you can cut the plastic with a blade, just watch your fingers. I cover the holes on my bins with fabric to keep light out and bedding in but even that isn't necessary.
You will have to keep your bin indoors in the winter. The worms can survive cooler temperatures but they aren't very active below room temperature and they will not survive freezing.

Does anyone have a photo of a bin made from a Rubbermaid tote that they can post or link to? Looking at one would make me feel a lot more secure about making my own, I'm sure!

I picked up Worms Eat My Garbage at the library & I do think that'll answer most of my questions about the process (after the bin is built). She shows how to build some complex wooden ones but I don't think there's anything about the Rubbermaid method! :)

You don't need a picture...it's just a 10 or 18gal bin - drainage holes optional. Later on you might experiment with an OSCR JR type..., but I'd suggest you begin with a simple 10 or 18gal bin.

Here is a link that might be useful: OSCR JR

If you do the Rubbermaid tote, you should put holes in it. I use the tip of my glue gun, and it works very well. I put them in the lid, sides, bottom.