Is the bin embedded into the ground?

No, they are in a plastic tub. I was thinking of embedding the tub in a finished compost heap also in the barn. Would that insulate them during freezing weather? Thanks!

Embedding the bin in the compost heap will insulate the bin some. How big is the compost heap and how cold does it get in your area? How long does it stay below freezing in your area? I am trying some in ground pits dug about 2.5 feet deep this winter.

beneficial,
I see a 3 up by your name in that first post. If you are in zone 3, I'd say bring that plastic bin inside. I expect that composting worms surviving outdoors in zone three need to be in huge active (warm) compost piles that don't freeze solid or really big (4x8) insulated bins.

If you are not in zone 3 and that is just an odd thing there, then where are you?

Yeah IF you are in Zone 3, indoors it will have to be! Burying your bin inside a compost heap won't help unless it's GIANT.

I'm in Zone 4 and I wouldn't think of keeping them outside in the winter. I'd need earth moving equipment to get them deep enough into a compost pile to keep them alive throughout the winter.

Don't let them freeze!

Thanks for your responses, folks. I did bring those puppies inside to my basement and they are faring well. My wife was concerned with the possibility of smell and just "the idea of worms in the house." But the box is well drained, the worms are all behaving nicely, and there is no smell so all is good for now. We've had some hard freezes so I'm glad I heard from you in time. Thanks again!

I'm sure your worms are happy with your TLC. I have been much more cavalier with mine.

I have a 3' by 6' outdoor bin with 2' walls made of concrete blocks. I arrange the blocks so that the holes let air into the bin.

This is the second winter my red worms have experienced in central Virginia, and they are hanging in there. Got down in the single digits last February.

I just dump more hay and sawdust on top of them. Occasionally cardboard and old carpet and such.

BTW, I just dug out about half of the castings. Last summer I doubled the size of the bin and fed only in the new area. I saw maybe one or two worms in the old castings.

FWIW.

PR