I have a 5 gallon bucket buried in the ground. Worm bedding in bottom, wet cardboard at top. I feed them worm food, coffee grounds and lettuce scraps. I have drainage holes in bottom and top with mesh covering the holes. A piece of carpet lays over the top. I find many fresh volunteers under the carpet. Worms survive our Michigan winters. Not sure how they would do in warmer temps though. Good luck.