It is true that when you compost in an apartment, it will look very different than if you had a plot of land. It is also true that your flowering plants will enjoy the nutrient-rich fertilizer that composting offers.
In fact, as someone living in an apartment or condominium, your house plants and patio plant containers will appreciate compost. You will also be able to reduce kitchen scraps and save yourself a trip to the building dumpster.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, kitchen scraps are essential items in our trash. When used as compost ingredients, they don’t end up in landfills.
When these scraps end up in landfills, the organic matter generates methane gas. This does not happen when you add them to a composter.
As you know, methane gas is harmful to the environment and increases the rate of climate change worldwide. Many cities have already encouraged people to use their collection and composting programs to eliminate the food scraps in landfills.
If you want to do your part in slowing down climate change, then apartment composting is the way to go.
I bet you didn’t know that there are many different ways that you can compost in an apartment.
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Worm Composter – Solution Number One
Also referred to as vermicomposters, worm composters are very versatile and are small and portable. They can also compost kitchen scraps and other household waste that will produce rich “worm tea” that you can use to water your houseplants and outside planter boxes.
These worm composters are easy to use since the material doesn’t need to be turned. Indeed, organic waste won’t decompose well without being turned, but the worms are turning. You have to feed them regularly.
Several Worm Composters on the market will work just fine for apartment dwellers.
Is a Worm Composter the Right Choice for You?
A worm composter is a good choice if you are interested in composting in an apartment and only have a small balcony or deck. The temperature must be between forty and eighty degrees Fahrenheit.
Worms will not survive in freezing temperatures. So if that is the temperature you experience in the winter, they will need to be brought indoors.
Also, they won’t survive in direct sunlight or even rain.
The worms will need to be fed regularly. You can use items such as shredded newspapers along with kitchen scraps. The paper helps to balance the nitrogen levels that organic material gives off.
For people in an apartment, worm composting offers a more small-scale composting.
Composter Tumblers – Solution Number Two
If you have a larger-sized balcony or are lucky enough to have a ground-floor unit with a large patio area, then a composter tumbler is a good solution.
Also, if your building has a rooftop garden or communal area, this would be another great option to use a compost tumbler. Of course, you will need permission from the condo board or building management.
Although compost tumblers tend to be larger than worm composters, several smaller sizes are perfect so that you can compost in an apartment.
These composters are sealed to generate heat to decompose materials. They also have a handle for turning the composter to mix the materials.
The other benefit of these composters is that the seal means there isn’t any smell making them an attractive addition to your gardening if you have a small area for the composter.
Miracle-Gro Small Composter
The Miracle-Gro Small Composter is the perfect-sized composter for anyone with a small space.
Apartment and condominium dwellers will find this a good solution.
It will fit very well on your balcony, porch, patio, or rooftop garden. You will be able to compost year around with it.
This excellent weather-resistant composter has a sturdy side-locking mechanism that makes it easy to load and unload material.
It is made of durable UV-protected plastic, meaning it won’t be leaching harmful toxins into the compost.
This particular model comes with a pair of gardening gloves that are water-resistant with a no-slip grip.
Is a Compost Tumbler the Right Choice for You?
A compost tumbler generally takes up a little more room than worm composters. You will also have to take into consideration the room for turning the composter.
With a compost tumbler, there may come a time when you can’t add more material. The reason is that you need to wait between two and three weeks for the composter to do its job and make compost.
You can always buy a tumbler with dual compartments if that is a problem. This way, you can keep adding scraps to one side while the other is making compost.
Kitchen Composters
There are several different types of kitchen composters. They come in various materials, from stainless steel to plastic.
One of the more popular types of kitchen composters is made of stainless steel. The reason this is popular is that it won’t absorb any of the food smells. They are also easy to clean.
Some stainless steel kitchen composters are powder coated and come in various colors and patterns.
Third Rock Compost Bin for the Kitchen
With the Third Rock Kitchen Compost Bin, recycling is good for the environment and your house. The composter has built-in odor control, and the lid has a changeable charcoal filter to keep everything smelling good.
Due to its high powder coating, the composter will never rust, scratch, or chip. It is also made using sturdy carbon steel, while the handles and lid ring are made of stainless steel.
Composting Makes a Difference in the Environment
Composting is an excellent way to care for the environment or at least do your part. It doesn’t matter which composter you decide is suitable for your needs; it is essential to ensure you know what to put in them.
A composter needs a balance of high-nitrogen organic material and carbon to help speed up the decomposition and prevent any annoying odors.
To be able to compost in an apartment doesn’t have to be a lot of work, and it is something that can be done in the smallest of places.
As you can see, living in a small space doesn’t mean you can’t compost. It is a great way to care for your indoor and outdoor plants. They will love the nutrients compost provides, and you will be proud of your green thumb!
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