small scale composting

Hi Kate,

Cool book you created there

Just wondering about composting on small -scale on a balcony for example.. mainly kitchen scraps etc..
I have seen that potentially a bokashi style method could be implemented, but is there a more direct and quicker way to organise it, based on simpler easy to obtain materials ?

Regards,
Tony.

Tony Grguric wrote:Hi Kate,

Cool book you created there

Just wondering about composting on small -scale on a balcony for example.. mainly kitchen scraps etc..
I have seen that potentially a bokashi style method could be implemented, but is there a more direct and quicker way to organise it, based on simpler easy to obtain materials ?

Regards,
Tony.

Hi Tony,
Thanks for the lovely feedback about my book. I'm not sure if I can attach IG posts here (I'll give it a try). I have a post and video that shows how to make a bokashi bucket out of free materials. I also outline this in my book. I'll copy the details below:

IG

"There are enough plastic buckets kicking around in the world. Instead of rushing out and buying a new Bokashi bin, why not make your own? Here’s what you’ll need:
• Two old buckets that are exactly the same size and make, so they sit snugly one inside the other, with a firm-fitting lid (you don’t want any air leaking in). It’s important that they have a wide rim around the top, so when they’re placed one inside the other there’s a cavity created at the bottom that can capture the Bokashi ‘juice’. Cafes often give away food grade lidded plastic buckets that are used to buy in bulk yoghurt, mayonnaise, or tahini.
• Electric drill with an 8mm drill bit.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own Bokashi bin:
1. Turn the first bucket upside down, and drill numerous holes in the base.
2. Place the first bucket inside the second bucket.
3. Start filling the first bucket with your food waste and EM bran. Make sure that you place the lid firmly on the bucket after filling it.
4. To empty the ‘juice’, simply remove the first (top) bucket and pour the juice out of the second (bottom) bucket."

Hope this helps.

Kate

Thanks for your detailed reply, Kate.

When you described this, I immediately thought of nesting 5 gallon buckets. Is that too big for a 2-3 person indoor composting setup?

(Forgive my ignorance, I'm new to doing this stuff indoors)

Thanks!

Ash Jackson wrote:Thanks for your detailed reply, Kate.

When you described this, I immediately thought of nesting 5 gallon buckets. Is that too big for a 2-3 person indoor composting setup?

(Forgive my ignorance, I'm new to doing this stuff indoors)

Thanks!

That's about 20 litres right? If so that is an ideal size for a bokashi bin

Perfect! Yes they are, and thank you. My apologies for not converting units.

I gather your book describes in more detail establishing and running that kind of arrangement?

Hello and welcome Kate. I am delighted to read about the small scale: I've had very little luck getting actual compost as I am just one even tho I have acres of land. Also, I encourage my mother and a neighbor to save me scraps, but it gets nasty quickly in the summer and I am not available to pick the scraps up quickly enough. Purchased kitchen-compostable bins thus far have not worked well for mom and the neighbor: not well designed.

I am going to make 2 of your described bokashi bins. As to the EM bran: I read coffee grounds or newspaper can also work. Is this so? Can other things I might already have or can get for less $ work?

Hello Kate! Thrilled that you’re here on Permies! I’ve followed you on IG for quite a while!
We have tons of wood so biochar interests me. Do you dig a pit for biochar? Are instructions in your book?
Thanks!

Barbara:  Every kitchen compost bin I have ever seen has a tight lid.  That seems reasonable but it does not work well because food quickly decays anaerobically and smells terrible.  A bin with no lid dries out better, decays aerobically and does not smell bad.  My rule for the family is keep the compost dry.  I am compost/digesting for 25 years with a family from 5 to 10 members.  This means that bones, meat, egg shells, everything goes in there.  To keep it dry, a piece of newspaper is put on the bottom, dry scraps such as mouldy bread are set aside in a separate pot to start the new batch when the bin is emptied, soups, gravy, spoiled yogurt, etc. are poured directly into the outside compost/digester.  Of course that means extra water has to be added to the compost/digester.  Which I did for 24 years, but I am now running the outdoor vessel lidless as well.  Instead of a tight lid, I have a wire mesh lid that lifts with one finger and the vessel is located under a shed roof eave which thoroughly soaks the contents every time it rains....

Other advantages of a no lid kitchen bin: 1) it is very easy to toss a banana peel, apple core, etc. into the bin.
2)  Any beautiful ceramic pot, flower pot, etc. can be cheaply obtained at a thrift shop.  One the right size and decor for your kitchen can easily be found.  Right now we are using a very large, very old ceramic potty!  3) If it is dry, it does not even need to be washed after emptying.   4) Inquisitive minds will enjoy watching the always changing panorama of mold and decay going on.....O.K. that's just me; maybe that is the rationale behind having a lid....

Ray Sauder

Thank you Ray but the problem with the bins i've purchased is because there is no pest-proof seal they've been inundated with fruit and other small flies. Open would present the same problem. My sister has one with a charcoal filter lid that seals tight: air in, but not bugs. It is,  however, a pain to open when you have a handful of something you want to drop in ...  I use an old one gallon paint can; the lid fits well enough (and I added a handle) to keep flies out but lifts easily: it is unsightly, tho, so others would not care for it in their kitchens.

I have learned to use multiple approaches.  I have a large composting system by the garden.  Near the back door there is a tumbler type composted.
In the kitchen their is a counter top one with a charcoal filter as has already been mentioned. And, during canning season we keep a few 5 gallon buckets handy.

Barbara:  Fruit flies are not something you can keep out.  The eggs are already on banana peels for sure and lots of other fruit as well.  So they hatch, grow, and turn into flies very quickly in the bin.   We keep 4 or 5 different fruit kinds on the counter at all times.  Some to ripen and some because my wife does not like them cold from the fridge.  We prefer having all the fruit flies in one place in the bin rather than hovering about all the fruit.  They will prefer going to the rotting stuff.

This also makes them easy to control.  Not eliminate, but control.  We keep our house at 65 degrees F so it is only a problem in July and August when the house gets warmer.  When the kitchen bin is full there will be quite a lot of fruit flies settled on top.  Before I disturb it, I spray a very tiny shot of Raid in the middle.  Then I take out a small piece of rotted banana peel and set it aside.  I empty the bin, put a quarter sheet of newspaper on the bottom and place the 'set aside'  banana peel in the bottom middle.  Any fruit flies that escaped during the bin disturbance will come back to this piece and a bit later I spray this piece directly with a tiny shot of Raid.  It seems to kill the eggs laid as well as the flies because there is little problem for the next 2 days....one can of Raid lasts 2 summers....

Ray

Dear Kate,

thank-you ever so kindly, for your help, and response on my question about the Bokashi composting..

it is much appreciated )

great instagram you have too ))

Kind Regards,
Tony.