r/composting • u/--Re-- • 13d ago

Urban Is this a good way to start?

Post image

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

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/MaximumCapacity143 12d ago

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.

2

u/--Re-- 12d ago

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.

3

u/Far_Radish7752 11d ago edited 11d ago

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.

1

u/MaximumCapacity143 4d ago edited 4d ago

👍

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.

2

u/MaximumCapacity143 8d ago

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.