I bought this worm bin:
http://images.marketplaceadvisor.cha...rayhiplain.jpg
As soon as it arrives I'll set up the worm bedding (damp shredded newspapers and cardboard- which they eventually eat as well- with a couple handfuls of earth) and then order my worms! Apparently they even love eating shredded corrugated cardboard, eggshells, and coffee grounds (along with the used coffee filters).
My tomato patch will love the worm castings fertilizer once it gets producing enough to harvest.

The worms are a special type you order (red wrigglers) that eat compost material at an incredible rate- unlike our local usual earthworms. They multiply well if they have decent conditions. Also unlike our local worms, they live within a foot of the surface and thus would freeze and die in our northern US winters if left out or 'released'. I will locate the bin in the garden in the shade for the summer, and move it down into our basement for the winter so the worms won't freeze and die. The whole thing is smaller than it looks- only 16"x16" x30" high, and that small size can house several thousand worms. Lots of people just use a smaller scale tupperware type bin and keep it under their kitchen sink. Apparently it's also a popular school project. If the bin conditions are right it doesn't smell bad at all- more like an earth or forest smell.
I find it fascinating!
Here is one of the better blogs I found about composting with worms:
http://wormdirt.wordpress.com/

DH is already making jokes about "Sweetie's Worm Ranch". Nothing i do ever surprises him. I've tentatively decided to name it The Lazy 'S' Worm Ranch. Any other name ideas?