Guide to Composting in an Apartment

Composting can be a convenient way to dispose of waste while also reducing your environmental impact and producing valuable nutrients for your houseplants. Composting in an apartment, on the other hand, can appear difficult. Here’s a guide to make composting easy just for you.

The Benefits of Composting

• It improves soil by retaining moisture and suppressing plant diseases and pests.
• Cuts down on the use of chemical fertilizers.
• Encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria and fungus that decompose organic materials to produce humus, a nutrient-rich substance.
• Reduces landfill methane emissions and your carbon impact.

Composting at Home
There are several methods for creating a compost pile; we have included the following for general reference. Pitchforks, square-point shovels or machetes, and water hoses with spray heads are also useful equipment. Regular mixing or stirring of the compost, as well as adding water, will aid in its preservation.

Composting in the Backyard
• For your compost pile or bin, choose a dry, shaded location near a water supply.
• As you collect brown and green materials, make sure to slice or shred larger portions.
• As dry items are added, moisten them.
• After you’ve constructed your compost pile, add grass clippings and green waste to it, then bury fruit and vegetable waste under 10 inches of compost material.
• Optional: To keep the compost moist, cover the top with a tarp. Your compost is ready to use when the material at the bottom is dark and rich in colour. This might take anything from two months to two years.

Indoor Composting
If you don’t have enough space for an outdoor compost pile, you can compost materials indoors using a special type of bin that you can buy at a local hardware store, gardening supply store, or make yourself. Remember to keep an eye on your pile and keep track of what you throw in. A well-managed compost bin will not attract pests or rodents, and it will not stink. In two to five weeks, your compost should be ready.

Choosing a Bin
There is no special type of plastic bin required for composting, but it should have a lid and two bins of the same size are required for the method outlined in this article. Select the size of the bins based on the available space, keeping in mind that the compost system should be kept in a dark, room-temperature area of your apartment or condo. Under the sink is a popular location for an apartment composter, but a laundry or utility closet could also work.

How to Use Compost
Compost is an excellent soil amendment for your garden or potted plants. It can help with drainage, beneficial bacteria, and attracting earthworms. When your compost is finished, you can either add it directly to your garden or store it in a container and add it to your plants as needed.
Furthermore, the liquid produced by the composting process is rich in nutrients. Many people use “compost tea” to fertilize houseplants or gardens.