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A report by Amateur Gardening outlines ways to compost food scraps without a garden, including a small balcony bin, a wormery or a countertop bokashi system. It also suggests shared outdoor space, subject to permission and suitable arrangements. The report says worm compost may appear after eight to 12 weeks, but results depend on the setup and care.
Amateur Gardening has outlined several ways to compost food scraps without a garden, including a small balcony bin, a wormery and a sealed countertop bokashi system. The guidance, written by Chris Collins, addresses people in flats and other homes with little or no outdoor space who want to turn kitchen waste into material for pots and planters.
Collins says he has composted while living in a central London flat. On his balcony, he uses a 20-litre container and mixes roughly equal amounts of brown material, such as shredded paper, and green material, such as kitchen scraps. The report presents this as one small-scale option, rather than a standard requirement for every composting method.
A wormery is another option. The report describes a homemade system made from three stacking trays: holes drilled into two trays allow air movement and drainage, while the bottom tray remains unperforated to collect liquid. The upper working tray is filled with damp soil, compost or shredded paper before worms and food scraps are added. Collins says brandling, red or tiger worms can be bought from fishing shops.
For people unable to keep an outdoor wormery, the report suggests bokashi, a closed, oxygen-free process using an airtight bin with a tap and an inoculant such as bran. The treated material is described as pre-compost, which can be placed at the bottom of a plant container to break down further. The source directs readers to Garden Organic for more information.
Options for Flats and Balconies
The practical issue is access: residents without gardens may have fewer places to put a conventional compost heap, but the report identifies small containers and indoor systems as alternatives. These approaches can make it possible to handle some kitchen scraps at home and produce material for container plants, although each requires appropriate space and care.
The report also points to shared outdoor areas, including community spaces or car parks at ground level, where a compost bin suited to a hard surface might be placed. A resident-led scheme could let neighbours contribute organic waste. That option depends on permission, available space and agreement among residents; the article does not establish that a particular scheme has been set up.
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Small-Scale Methods Described
The report distinguishes among three approaches. A small bin uses a balance of brown and green materials; a wormery relies on worms to process scraps; and bokashi treats waste in a sealed container without oxygen. They are not interchangeable systems, and the material they produce may need different handling. In particular, the article calls bokashi output pre-compost that can continue breaking down in a pot.
For a wormery, Collins advises chopping scraps into smaller pieces and maintaining an approximate 50:50 balance of greens and browns. Examples listed include vegetable peelings, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags and torn egg boxes. The report says crumbly worm compost may collect in the middle tray after eight to 12 weeks; that timeframe is the article’s guidance, not a guarantee for every bin.
Collins also says well-rotted leaves can be useful in potting compost but are best processed separately. The suggested method is to place wet leaves in loosely tied black plastic sacks and store them for a year or two. The report advises getting the landowner’s permission before collecting leaves.
“I’ve lived in a central London flat for many years, so I know what it’s like to make compost in a tight space.”
— Chris Collins, writing for Amateur Gardening
Limits and Local Rules
The report does not specify how much waste a 20-litre bin can process, how often it needs attention, or how conditions such as temperature affect the stated worm-compost timeframe. It also does not give detailed troubleshooting guidance for odour, pests or excess moisture. Readers should not treat the eight-to-12-week estimate as a fixed production schedule.
Whether residents can keep a wormery outdoors or use a shared site depends on their building, landlord and local arrangements. The report does not identify specific rules for individual properties or councils. It also gives no detailed instructions for managing bokashi output beyond describing it as material that can continue breaking down in containers.
Choosing a Practical Setup
Readers can compare the space and equipment each method requires, then check whether their building permits a balcony or shared-area bin. Anyone considering community composting will need to agree on access, responsibilities and where the bin can stand. The report points to Garden Organic for further bokashi and composting information, and advises seeking permission before collecting leaves from land owned by someone else.
Key Questions
Can I compost if I only have a balcony?
Yes. Collins describes using a 20-litre balcony bin with roughly equal amounts of shredded paper and kitchen scraps. The report also suggests a wormery where there is room for one.
What can go in a wormery?
The report lists chopped vegetable peelings, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags and torn egg boxes. It advises keeping an approximate 50:50 balance of green and brown materials.
How long does a wormery take to produce compost?
Amateur Gardening says crumbly worm compost may appear in the middle tray after eight to 12 weeks. The source does not say this timing is guaranteed for every system.
What is bokashi composting?
The report describes bokashi as a sealed, oxygen-free treatment for kitchen waste. It uses an airtight bin and an inoculant such as bran; the resulting material is described as pre-compost that can continue breaking down in a plant container.
Can I collect fallen leaves for compost?
The report recommends composting leaves separately, for example in loosely tied sacks stored for a year or two. It says to ask the landowner’s permission before collecting them.
Source: amateurgardening.com
