I prepare a small cardbox as staging area for my kitchen waste, so that I don't need to store axcess kitchen waste in the fridge.

It is actually Japanese Cardboard Compost using Cocopeat and Rice Husk Ash (add water to keep moist). I am worried the worm might not like ash, so I only add in a minimal amount of ash in this staging compost box.

I am not sure whether this idea of staging compost box for the worm bin will actually work.

The bottom is reinforced with extra layer of cardboard, and the bottom gap is sealed with tape to avoid insect getting in. Cardbox is breathable, so there is no need to drill hole. Cover the top with an old t-shirt.

Prepare a good quality cardboard roughly the size of fruit boxes. Reinforced the bottom with additional layer of cardboard. Seal off the bottom gap with tape.

Prepare the bedding for worm bin. You can use newspaper, cardboard, dry leaves or cocopeat, or a combination of them.

Cut newspaper and cardboard into small pieces and soak them in water. I soak my coco peat in water as well, but this should be optional.

This is my first bin, and I don't want the worm to escape to the bottom bin where the worm tea is stored. I use some cardboard to cover the holes.

Layer 0: I put a piece of newspaper at the bottom layer (optional).

Layer 1: I squeeze the water out from the soaked newspaper and cardboard, and layer them on top of the newspaper.

Layer 2: I squeeze water out from the coco peat and layer them on top of the newspaper / cardboard layer.

Layer 3: Dry leaves. Optional you could put in animal manure or compost to introduce microorganisms into the sterile mix.

Layer 4: You cover the top layer with some dry cardboard / newspaper / cloth. This is to trap moisture and prevent attraction of insects.

Don't compact the bedding and keep them fluffy. If you didn't soak your bedding material in water, you might want to spary water on the bedding to keep them moist.

My bin is only 7 inches tall, and my bedding is about 3 to 4 inches.

Bedding should be prepared 5 to 10 days prior to introducing worms into the bin.

Some introduce minimal kitchen waste into the bedding during preparation, while others only put in kitchen waste 7 days after the worm move in.

2 cuttings without rooting hormones have grown good roots.
1 of 3 cutting with rooting hormones has grown roots.

The pot with Green Mary soil kept in shades are the first to sprout after more than a month.

More new growth.