HOW TO COMPOST KITCHEN SCRAPS IN A SMALL SPACE
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- We had long wanted to get into composting but were put off by the thought of stench and potentially attracting pests. Then I was inspired by my best friend who was able to successfully make compost right from the balcony of her high-rise apartment unit. This balcony, a few square feet in total and accessible only through several windows, hosts a lush garden of vegetables, herbs and ornamental plants. By far, she has the most productive garden per square foot!
If she could do it so successfully in a tiny space, I had no reason not to try it in a small patio we had at the back of the house where we grow some food in containers. After trying several methods, we found one that worked for our situation (and personal quirks).
This method is scalable. One can go for larger or smaller containers depending on how much kitchen waste is generated and how much space is available within the property. Because the compost pile is covered, pests particularly rodents cannot access it. Done correctly, composting should not cause a terrible stink.
We settled for this method because:
1. We had a paved patio and very few patches of soil around the house. This meant we had to use a container that wouldn't spill compost juice onto the concrete floor.
2. Although the Bokashi method would have allowed for more variety of food scraps (including meat and dairy), that method ultimately required burying the contents in the ground which we didn't have access to.
3. Shocking as this may sound to gardeners, I squirm at the sight of too many worms. A few here and there is fine but more than a handful in one place is enough to make me recoil no matter that I know how beneficial these are to the soil. So vermicomposting, ideal as that would have been in the property, was out of the question.
Whatever method works for anyone, the benefits will be the same. It will provide nutrient-rich compost for growing food and ornamentals. And it will help keep some kitchen waste from ending up in landfills where these will decompose and contribute to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
As a final point, many articles suggest specific ratios of greens to browns. I just roughly use 50-50, and adjust the mixture when the compost pile is either too dry or too wet.
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That's a good reminder, thank you
Thank you for your great advice.
Should you add worms and should you put bins in sun or shade thank you.
Hi, thank you. I put mine in the shade only to protect from heavy downpours as water can still get in through the side holes. I dont't think it will matter whether it's in shade or sun, but it might dry out a bit more quickly under the sun. Worms would be fantastic for the compost pile. I think one just needs to ensure air circulation by regularly turning the pile. That also helps unplug the side holes that might be preventing air coming in. I have heard red wrigglers rather than earthworms are what is suited for the compost. I have never added worms because, much to gardeners' surprise, I get a bit icky when there are too many. Even so, somehow, earthworms do find their way in. I suspect they hitch a ride when I throw in some dirt or dead leaves from a patch. I let them be as I know they are helping hasten decomposition. 😀
Do you add soil? Or just greens, browns, and water?
Hi, yes I sometimes add some used potting mix (where the plant didn't suffer from any disease) as part of the browns.
Hi, do you mind sharing the results?
Hi, yes I'll trawl through the images and videos taken and see what's available. I'll also make sure to create a video when the latest batch is ready.
Process too long
Yes unfortunately it takes months. A bigger pile will probably take a shorter time to "cook" as that will heat up faster. Vermicomposting might also be faster but that one is just not for me. The shortest way is if we could finally have a food scrap collection in my area 😊
Absolutely stunning video. Thank you to those who compiled it. The colours are amazing 😮new 👍like & subscriber 51
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it. We hope people can give composting a go ❤
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it. We hope people can try composting too ❤
Good job and beautifull idea thanks you for sharing have a nice day
Thank you, glad you liked it. Have a nice day 😀
Do not add grass clippings to be composted, unless you’re 1000% sure that it has not been treated with any kind of chemical fertilizer.
Thank you for highlighting that, really appreciate it.
Thanks so much. Moved to a condo and have been thinking about how to continue to compost and this video was just the thing. Bought one bin but I see how 3 makes it workable. Thanks very much and by the way this is a well done video.
We're absolutely thrilled you and many others find this useful. As I explained in the description below the video, I was inspired by my best friend who lives in a high rise condo unit with a tiny balcony that she could only access through a window. Yet she is able to do composting and grows so much edibles out there. All the best to you!
Thank you for the compliment on the video too 😍
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