How to Compost on a Balcony | Easy Bucket Composting | What To Do and What NOT To Do!

Описание: Never throw a banana peel or an apple core in the trash again! This video will show you how to easily turn those into "black gold" by composting in a bucket (or trash can) on a balcony or in a yard. It will also tell you what most how-to videos don’t: what could possibly go wrong!! And how to fix those things.
Composting is actually very easy (and fun, fascinating, and rewarding!), but there are a few ways it can go wrong. I know from experience, and I’m here to share my mistakes so you don’t have to make them yourself, as well as solutions to some common compost problems. This video is also meant to give you hope: I’ve just finished my 2nd successful compost batch this year, and if I can do it, you can do it!

TIME STAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:22 The simple, step by step method for composting in a bucket, at home on a balcony or in a yard.
01:29 Materials needed: a bucket or trash can, or a plastic bin of any shape, drill, drill bit to drill 1/8 inch holes
01:57 Bucket preparation: drill holes in the sides. (Not the bottom or top.)
02:25 Start composting! Add greens (fruit and veggie peelings, coffee grinds, tea bags) browns (paper towels, cardboard, pulp egg cartons, dry leaves and flowers.) No dairy, animal products, oil.
03:45 Getting technical: Carbon-nitrogen ratios. You really don’t have to worry about this. Just focus on the moisture level. You want slightly moist but not wet.
05:01 Add the secret ingredient: dirt! Or leftover finished compost. These are full of microorganisms that are going to break down your greens and browns and transform them into compost.
05:44 Keep adding greens and browns. To maintain correct moisture level, carbon/nitrogen balance, add some dry matter every time you add food scraps. If it’s too dry, add more food scraps or some water. (I’ve never needed to add water: fruit and veggie remnants have high water content.) If it’s too wet, add more browns.
05:48 Tip: store food scraps in a Tupperware container in the fridge (or countertop compost collector) and when it’s full, add the contents to your compost bucket.
06:23 Why stirring the mix is important.
06:57 How long will it take to get finished compost? Probably 3-4 months. For both batches this year, I added greens, browns and occasional dirt for 2-3 months, then left the mix to sit untouched for a month while I was out of town. When I came back, it was ready! In case you won’t be leaving town for an extended period, you can use a 2nd smaller bucket to start a 2nd batch while letting the 1st batch finish.
07:39 The finished compost!
09:00 Now, about what could possibly go wrong – and the solutions to those common compost problems.
09:04 Issue #1: you drilled holes in your bucket lid and your mix is waterlogged and smelly. Solution: trench compost that mix and start over with a new lid.
09:40 Issue #2: many months have gone by and your mix hasn’t transformed into beautiful finished compost. Solution: add more dirt.
10:22 Your mix has attracted tiny flies! Solution: bowl of water with a few drops of dish soap in the bucket overnight, and an electric fly swatter.

Good luck on your composting journey! Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback.

Other ways you can compost if you have access to a yard or big outdoor space:
In trenches (this is a brilliant, super fast method) https://www.thespruce.com/why-you-sho...
In beautiful DIY bins, of wood or other local materials. Get creative or check out building plans here: https://rogueengineer.com/diy-double-...

Other links to learn more about the stages and science of composting. As you’ll see, there are several different ways to compost. Many roads to the same destination!

Awesome article describing the stages of composting: https://www.livescience.com/63559-com...

Composting 101 with good explanation of carbon & nitrogen: https://modernfarmer.com/2017/02/how-...

Carbon/nitrogen ratios in specific foods: https://www.planetnatural.com/compost...

If you’re interested in the technical details, check out these links: https://www.planetnatural.com/compost...
https://www.biocycle.net/high-quality...

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