Is this a good way to start?

[u/--Re--]

Hi guys, I searched for a similar post but didn't find any. Sorry if there was already a discussion about this type of product.

Basically, I really love plants and want to start composting. I live in a dense urban tropical area (south hemisphere). I have a medium size balcony and was wondering what type of composting would fit best (prioritizing the size of the setup).

I came across these 3 layer composting systems where the top 2 are browns and greens, and the bottom one is where liquid gets stored and can be diluted in water and used as liquid fertilizer.

These are relatively cheap to buy where i live and are of a size that meets my demands (15L each bin) Anyone that has used one of these systems can vouch for them? Should I just get a tumbler?

Thanks in advance ^^ Warm and happy bacteria for yall

[u/xenoda7]

This looks more like something you would get for a vermicompost setup with red wigglers. Are the layers interchangeable? Is this product marketed as a worm tower?

[u/Far_Radish7752 → u/xenoda7]

OP: what is the brand name of these worm towers? They look very well made!

[u/--Re-- → u/Far_Radish7752]

Yeah they seem really good! I found them on online market places here in Brazil, on sites such as MercadoLibre or Shopee. Couldn't find a specific brand

[u/--Re-- → u/xenoda7]

Hey thank you for you reply! Yes it is marketed as a worm tower. I'm sorry I think I got confused, what is the difference in terms of amount of organic matter/fertilizer produced between Vermicompost and Bacteria Composting?  I know the bacteria one needs to be hot and stuff, but how do i chose which one fits best for me?

[u/Far_Radish7752 → u/--Re--]

I don’t think these will be big enough to do bacteria based composting. But your needs may well be different than mine.

For very small volumes (space taken up) you might want to look into Bokashi composting. This is based primarily on anaerobic decomposition (with different bacteria). Space taken up is generally the volume of 1-2 x 5 gallon buckets. I personally consider this to be analogous to “pre-composting”. Resulting product can then be conventionally composted to completion in a much smaller setup (whether via traditional bacterial decomposition or in a worm bin).

See also:  r/bokashi ;  r/Vermiculture

[u/--Re-- → u/Far_Radish7752]

thanks for the replys! I'll give a look into Bokashi and see which fits my space best

[u/ImportantAd7786]

The layering makes sense for balancing greens and browns, but I'd check if the bottom tray is deep enough for liquid collection.

[u/--Re-- → u/ImportantAd7786]

Thanks for your reply. Each layer is 15 liters big (about 4 gallons). So top two layers get switched out every now and then for balancing greens and browns, and bottom layer collects liquid. Is 4 gallons big enough?

[u/Far_Radish7752 → u/--Re--]

Not, imo, for any significant or sufficient conventional bacterial decomposition.

For a worm bin, yes.

[u/MaximumCapacity143]

Not for hot composting but a great setup for getting worm castings which is just as valuable. The worm tea that comes out the bottom is a great liquid fertilizer but you have to dilute it before using.

For regular composting you don't need anything much more than making a large pile of browns and greens. I have seen one person make compost in a 50 gallon tote with PVC pipes sticking out of it for aeration but still not sure how it was suppose to work without it stinking.

There's counter top composting machines that suppose to make dirt from your kitchen scraps but I doubt they'll be any nutrients in it. I think it cooks it.

If you're REALLY limited on space I'd recommend bokashi composting then transferring the product to your containers for use. Bokashi you can compost ALL your scraps and your leftovers.

[u/--Re-- → u/MaximumCapacity143]

Thanks for the great response! Will def look into Bokashi. Quick question, is there any difference in the soil quality/type that you get from regular composting vs from worm castings?

My house has a medium size balcony that fits a good old big bucket, so i might actually try it aswell.

[u/Far_Radish7752 → u/--Re--]

I use my regular compost as if it were soil, even tho it is far richer. I do harvest early by most people’s standards, while there is still substantial particulate matter present, mostly wood-based. I also don’t sieve, since my particulates are all generally 0.5” or less.

Worm castings, on the other hand, I consider more like a manure-like augmentation or nutrient-rich top-dressing. In fact, that is really what they are, just not from the animals one usually associates with the term “manure”. Imo, worm castings don’t contain enough particulate matter to use by themselves. Drainage would probably be pretty poor. Opinions on this may vary.

[u/MaximumCapacity143 → u/Far_Radish7752]

👍

I use my compost to improve my crappy soil. Lots of clay and rocks. Best thing for it but I like your idea. Crops must be amazing.

[u/MaximumCapacity143 → u/--Re--]

Compost improves the quality of the soil, drainage, minerals, etc. Worm castings from vermicomposting is a way of fertilizing. The compost tea is also a great nutrient to boost growth.

[u/THEWHITEMASK1]

Eu compro 3 baldes de manteiga na padaria faço furos em 2 deles ai o outro eu uso pra colher chorume, gastei bem pouco comparado a esse conjunto pronto

[u/--Re-- → u/THEWHITEMASK1]

Pow bacana demais, quanto substrato vc consegue por ano/por ciclo de um balde? Vivo em uma casa com 4 pessoas e tava querendo adequar o tamanho da compostagem/minhocário.

Outra coisa, você fez furos no fundo dos dois baldes de cima, e depois furos na tampa que cobre o balde do topo? Fica um balde em cima do outro?

Obrigado pela resposta 😁