How can I start a compost heap without a garden? I have a small balcony…?


I don't want to spend much money… and i dont have much room. I would rather not have one of those indoor composting things due to lack of space and storage…
For those who asked… i dont have a garden, but i do have quite a few potted plants etc on my balcony and im always in need of compost!

You can create compost on just about any scale. A mixture of kitchen waste, greens only!!! no meat !!! and some shreded newspaper for browns, toss a little starter dirt in and it will decay and produce "black gold'> Any plastic container will do. A trash can, a rubbernaid container etc. The mix should be moist but not soaking wet. Cricital mass to achive the proper heat for compost piles is rather large and you will not achive it on your balcony, but go for it anyway, mix it, stir it and let it rot. Makes the best plant food on earth !!!!

Great stuff to put in the tub includes all green matter, cooked or trimmings, coffee grounds, paper goods ( avoid the heavy inked color pieces) ohh..and add a few worms…lol…let them help if the temps don't kill em off

Check out the Garden Web Forums for more info.

CrAzY LaRrY

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13 Responses to “How can I start a compost heap without a garden? I have a small balcony…?”

  1. farshadowman says:

    big plastic bags
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  2. harry says:

    it would not be worth your while with a balcony
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  3. hairyegg says:

    as mentioned the bin bag method
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  4. Deanna S says:

    All you need is something to keep it in. Any container will work. For it to break down, it will stink. Just a warning.
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  5. ROBERT T says:

    Put leaves in a black bag and punch holes in the Bag to make a leaf mulch
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  6. New Born Kitten says:

    Why not have a "virtual" compost heap. Photograph all your biodegradable waste before you put it in the trash.

    Then you can post it all on your 360, and share it with the whole world.
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  7. byron101540 says:

    A 5 gal pastry/pickle/drywall bucket
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  8. Dre says:

    A plastic dustbin
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  9. ~*Bubbles*~ says:

    I would recommend not starting a compost heap if all you have is a small balcony, because first of all, they smell really bad. My dad has had a compost heap for years, and it stinks to high heaven. Second, the chemicals in compost, if not stored properly, can cause spontaneous combustion, which can be very dangerous on a small balcony.

    Sorry, it's just not a good idea.
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  10. lclaffy@swbell.net says:

    You can create compost on just about any scale. A mixture of kitchen waste, greens only!!! no meat !!! and some shreded newspaper for browns, toss a little starter dirt in and it will decay and produce "black gold'> Any plastic container will do. A trash can, a rubbernaid container etc. The mix should be moist but not soaking wet. Cricital mass to achive the proper heat for compost piles is rather large and you will not achive it on your balcony, but go for it anyway, mix it, stir it and let it rot. Makes the best plant food on earth !!!!

    Great stuff to put in the tub includes all green matter, cooked or trimmings, coffee grounds, paper goods ( avoid the heavy inked color pieces) ohh..and add a few worms…lol…let them help if the temps don't kill em off

    Check out the Garden Web Forums for more info.

    CrAzY LaRrY
    References :

  11. At Home says:

    The best way to go is to use worms for digesting your kitchen scraps. A Rubbermaid tub works great.

    You could just put your scraps in a plastic tub but you have to keep a specific ratio of wet to dry. Dry being dried leaves, grass etc. otherwise you'll just have a rotting pile of garbage along with fruit flies.

    Worms will digest your scraps fairly quickly. You won't have a garbage smell. You shouldn't get fruit flies. If you're in an area that gets below the 50 degree mark you would have to bring the tub inside. I keep worms in a spare bedroom. I have guests that stay over and no one has ever known that they were sleeping in the same room with worms and garbage. There is no smell!

    The best worms to use are red wigglers. You can order them on line and they usually come with directions on their use. There's a bit more to it than buying a tub, worms and throwing in your scraps but once you get it going there is little work,; it takes care of itself. If you search "vermiculture" on line you can find a lot of info on "how to".
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  12. greengirl says:

    Why would you want a compost heap without a garden?
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  13. Robert G says:

    Buy a wormery. They don't smell due to the lid and they make great liquid fertilizer as well as terrific compost. Good fun too.
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Posted on April 30th, 2009 by admin and filed under garden composter | 13 Comments »
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