Kitchen Composting

[gigi556]

We really want to start composting our kitchen waste but can't seem to get past the how? We don't want to spend a fortune on compost bin for outside and we have a small space outside. Just a terrace patio. What is your system? Do you have worms?

We use bokashi, a Japanese method of composting. It worked for us: no giant bin, no worms (they make me squeamish), the plants in our house and garden were very happy. Bought the kit from eBay.

But the final step is to dig a pit in the garden, or an allotment, to bury the stuff before it's usable, so I guess not for you.

www.the-compost-gardener.com/bokashi-composting.html

There are hot bins, I haven't used them though. It seems you need to have a certain amount of waste to put in it each day for it to be viable.

I feel we have loads of waste and I considered worms but not sure about having them in the house or where we'd put them... we are in Yorkshire and I'm not sure it's hot enough.

I was debating between bokashi and worms for our cooked food, we have a great compost bin for our raw veg peelings, egg cartons, grass etc. I think I'm leaning towards bokashi as less temperamental and I can put the residue into the main compost bin.

I've got my eye on a tiger wormery
www.wormery.co.uk/wormeries/4-tray-standard-tiger-wormery-dark-orchid-purple.html
I have a teeny balcony and little yard, will wait until it's warmer to start them off. I like the fact that it produces fertilizer and rich compost as well.

Have u a small piece of disused or uncovered ground anywhere?

Our council gives compost bins for free.

what will you use the compost for?

And you don't need worms. Worms will come.
Just stick any bottomless bin on a piece of earth and start chucking vegetable matter in there. Also cardboard, eggshells and teabags. It's amazing how quickly it all composts down.

I have a compost bin with plenty of bug life for the uncooked stuff, but I need something for cooked waste that can't go into it. Serendipity I was looking at the tiger wormery too, but then with weather like we're about to have I worry about having to put a cardi on it to keep the worms from freezing.

I think once it’s established, it generates some heat itself. The worms would just hunker down into the deeper layers of compost and stay nice and snug in there, and then come back to the surface and continue munching new stuff once the weather warms up again. My yard is pretty sheltered anyway, high walls on all sides. And I’m much further south than you!

Similar to you I already have ‘big’ composting - mine is at my allotment and veg peelings etc can go up there (when we bother) but I want something else at home for all kitchen waste including cooked leftovers etc

@TellsEveryoneRealFacts I'm into gardening even though my garden is tiny! I also have an allotment.

Compost outside will attract rats. I know they say it won’t, I never even put eggs in mine and rats still chewed into the bins.

I'm into gardening even though my garden is tiny! I also have an allotment.

Then put your compost bin at the allotment, and take your kitchen scraps there for composting. I use an ikea metal mini dustbin. Or a trug. Drop it in each time you visit.

Hmmm... yes perhaps, but I think we need a bigger kitchen compost bin! Lol

Are you going to use the compost in your kitchen garden area?

I have two wormeries, one filled up too fast. I've been using them for 10 years. Very successful.
It would be easier to have them at the allotment, then you can use the compost there.

I was thinking that yes, I'd use the compost at home. Although I guess the allotment might benefit more.

If you only have a small area you can compost using a plastic toy box with lid.
This type from wilko
www.wilko.com/plastic-stackable-storage/wilko-modular-storage-box-and-lid-90-litre/invt/0449326
Just pop on your patio add all your kitchen waste and stick in a shovel full of garden soil to get the micro organisms started.
Good composting requires heat so try to place it somewhere it gets the sun. If the compost is getting too wet add some brown to it like dry leaves, shredded cardboard or paper. Don’t add meat scraps but any green waste will be fine. You can also add the fluff from your dryer and the hoover contents.
There is no need to spend £££ on fancy composters.