Christie C. Composting is a process in which organic matter decomposes into a nutrient-rich soil amendment and fertilizer. It is a natural and sustainable way for us to recycle organic waste and enrich the soil in our gardens, yards, and farms. One might wonder, however, how do we make compost if the space available to us is limited?
Sometimes we let having no space or “insufficient” materials be the reason for why we don’t try something new. I’m here to tell you that regardless of whether you live in an apartment perpetually in shade or a small home with little to no yard, you can still compost and create a garden with the space you have.
I myself do not have a huge yard; just a small front patio with a garden bed. Before that, I had lived in a couple of apartments with zero sunlight and barely enough counter and window sill space for a paper towel holder. Composting is something I struggled to do mainly because of the lack of space. I cannot fit a large bin or tumbler in my garden. But I did want to create fertilizer and soil amendments without always having to purchase them. Thankfully, there are three excellent options we can utilize when composting with small spaces.
What constitutes a small space?
First, what constitutes a small space? For the sake of this post, I envision a kitchen or garden space that is anywhere from 25 to 40 square feet. A small space can apply to a studio or small apartment, a tiny house, or any home with limited gardening space. The resident may only have 2 to 5 square feet to work with.
THREE Composting Methods for Small Spaces
These three composting methods require kitchen scraps such as (but not limited to) fruit and vegetable peels, egg shells, coffee grinds, and tea leaves. You can, however, also include small amounts of paper, dried leaves, cardboard, and grass clippings. Technically, bones, meat scraps, and other food items can be composted, but they can attract vermin, pests, and sometimes even dangerous predators depending on where you live.
1. Composting Bins
Many gardeners and farmers opt for backyard composting bins. These are containers designed for processing organic matter such as food scraps and manure. They can come in various sizes and types, the most common ones being tumblers, bins, and wire mesh enclosures. Their purpose is to provide a contained environment that allows for temperature and decomposition control.
Small spaces are not typically suitable for tumblers and wire mesh enclosures because their design usually requires a large amount of outdoor space for placement. However, composting bins are available in sizes as small as 1 gallon, which is just the size suitable for an apartment countertop or small yard. This post is not sponsored, but I do want to share some links to composting resources.
Average Cost: $15.99 USD – $22.99 USD
One of the most highly rated and cost-effective composting systems for small spaces is the Stainless Steel Compost Bin with Lid by Utopia Kitchen.
This easy to care for compost bin comes with a charcoal filter to helps to eliminate odors. It holds up to a gallon of compost, saving quite a bit of counter space.
Average Cost: $88.00 USD – $104.50 USD
The Bokashi Bin is a popular composting system that holds roughly 2 gallons of food waste. To use it, add food scraps to the bin and layer it with the Bokashi Bran, a substance that helps break the waste down. Over time, it turns into a tea that can be extracted from the spigot. This tea is a powerful fertilizer.
An even smaller and more cost effective alternative is the Bokashi Counter Food Waste Caddy if the original bucket is too large or pricey.
Average Cost: $129.99 USD – $149.95 USD
The Worm Factory is by far the largest and most expensive of the alternatives, but good for anyone that has the room. As its name suggests, the Worm Factory uses worms to help break down food waste and organic scraps into compost.
Starting with the bottom tray, you would add half a pound of worms and fill the tray with household scraps and waste. The worms will convert the scraps into compost. After the first tray is full, you would stack another on top. Since each tray has a grid on the bottom, the worms are able to migrate and move as more scraps are added.
2. Pit or Trench
This method is good for anyone who has a garden bed or raised bed. You simply burry your kitchen scraps, pet dung, plant waste, or any organic matter directly into the ground. I have a friend that puts her bunny’s poo into her garden beds!
Trench composting can be practiced at no cost to you. However, do not compost meat, bones, dairy, fatty foods, or dressings. Even though these items are technically compostable, they can attract wildlife, stray animals, rodents, and other unwanted pests. Depending on where you live, this can be a matter of safety; your compost pile could attract raccoons, skunks, and even bears (if you live in an area where this is an issue).
Trench composting is my favorite way to compost scraps because it also allows me to find a “home” for produce I did not eat on time. In the end, I wind up with a healthy bed with plenty of worms.
3. Community Composting Programs
Community composting programs are excellent because they collect organic waste from local households, businesses, and third spaces and process it at a centralized facility or site. Those who participate usually drop off their waste at designated collection points. After the compost is processed, it is available for purchase, usually at a very reasonable price. My local community composting program doubles up as a recycling center and mulch distributor. If you have a pickup truck, you can easily grab as much compost and mulch as you can!
If composting is completely out of reach for your small space, a community program is your best bet since it provides an alternative to on-site composting. Be mindful, however, that each site has its own rules and regulations, so check with your local program for community guidelines. For example, some places require participants to organize or separate their collected organic matter.
