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indoor composting in small spaces
Vermicomposting and Bokashi -
Vermicomposting - I know. It sounds weird. Implausible. Impossible. But you can have 500 or so pet worms who can help you turn your cut up food scraps into useful compost.
With vermicomposting you buy or make a worm bin - a cozy little farm where red wiggler worms digest your food scraps. When done right, there is no smell and no pests like fruit flies or mice.
Vermicomposting can happen in a worm bin that fits under the sink in your kitchen or bathroom with little maintenance and no chance of worms wandering around your apartment.
There are great resources for vermicomposting specific to NYC. Both guides provide instructions on building a worm bin, maintaining it, and troubleshooting for potential issues.
I use vermicomposting outdoors (more on that below) and I purchased red wiggler worms from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm. They are based in PA and ship to New York quickly. Surprisingly, the worms arrive at your door ready to get to work so make sure that your worm bin is ready to go before placing your order.
Bokashi - Instead of speeding up decomposition to create compost, the Bokashi method uses fermentation to break down food scraps into the good stuff for your soil. Because it uses a tightly sealed container that thrives without oxygen, there is no smell and it does not attract rodents.
Anything goes with Bokashi. Leftover meat, fish, dairy, cooked foods, vegetables, and fruit scraps are placed in a container that you can make yourself or purchase (affiliate link). You add cut-up food scraps with Bokashi bran (it looks like wheat germ), press out the air in the container, and repeat until the container is full. For two weeks, let the scraps ferment without opening the lid. A strong liquid fertilizer is produced that is released from a faucet at the bottom of the Bokashi container. A cup of the liquid fertilizer, or compost tea, can be placed in a gallon of water to feed houseplants and your garden.
After two weeks the contents can be buried in your garden in between established plants. If you keep meat, dairy, and the other "keep out" scraps away from your Bokashi container, you MAY or MAY NOT be able to drop them off at a compost site (check first with the site administrator). Another great option is to create a soil factory - a large plastic bin where the fully fermented Bokashi contents are mixed with garden soil to make compost.
Helpful resources:
Bokashi Living: How Does It Work
Solana Center for Environmental Innovation: The Bokashi Method
OUTdoor composting in a small space
First, select the type of compost bin that works well for you and your outdoor space. Next, create the perfect mix of ingredients and conditions (greens, browns, air, water, and time) to create compost from your food scraps.
In your stationary, tumbler, or vermicomposting bin place equal amounts of greens (food scraps or fresh garden clippings) and browns (paper, cardboard, dry garden leaves, twigs). Refer to the list of what to compost to get an idea of what can go into your bin.
Cut or chop your greens and browns into smaller pieces to speed the composting process. If you choose vermicomposting, cut greens and browns into one inch pieces and limit citrus and onions to make digestion easier for the composting worms.
Layer your greens and browns to create air pockets; this allows for air flow which is an important ingredient for good composting conditions. Food scraps should be layered under three inches of browns to deter rodents.
Tumble, churn with a rake or pitchfork, or use a hand aerator to circulate air in your bin. This can be done on a schedule that fits you. Tumbling anywhere from once to four times a month will result in compost in 3-6 months.
Make sure that the compost bin contents are slightly damp. It shouldn’t be dripping wet or soggy. If it is, add more browns.
To keep away flies, smells, and rats, be vigilant about keeping your compost bin secure. If you are making your own bin, make sure any holes are small or covered with a screen to keep out rodents. You can also make sure that pests can’t get in by weighing down the lid with bricks. If you are purchasing a bin, make sure it comes with secure latches to keep animals at bay.
Types of Compost Bins
Stationary compost bins can be made from a garbage can or plastic tote that you can secure against rodents and pests. By churning the mix of greens and browns regularly with a rake or large stick, you can get rich compost in several months.
Tumblers make it easier to churn your scraps by turning a crank on the compost bin. This results in quicker compost.
Vermicompost bins can go above or below ground (or in a raised bed if you don’t feel like digging). Just like noted above, reg wiggler worms do the work of digesting food scraps and creating compost.
There are many options for making or buying compost bins, just as there are many considerations to find the right bin for you. How much outdoor space do you have? Can you churn the compost yourself or do you need the help of a crank or worms? Do you have access to materials to make a bin or do you prefer to purchase one?
If you need help choosing the compost bin that is right for you, Contact Us.
Resources:
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Home Composting
using your compost
In your houseplants
In your outdoor plants
In your outdoor plants
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In your outdoor plants
In your outdoor plants
In your outdoor plants
Coming soon