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Tips on starting a balcony compost bin?

BitterKnitterBitterKnitter Posts: 119
in Problem solving

Hi all!

I'm planning on starting a little compost bin out on my balcony- I've done a bit of research and found this site and video-http://www.balconycontainergardening.com/gardening/466-composting-methods

I've been collecting carrot and potato peelings, OH's coffee grounds, tea leaves from teabags and eggshells, but I just want to know what other tips you guys might have for me!

I'm using cardboard and eggboxes for brown stuff and fallen leaves for the bits in between, and popping a little bought compost in there for good measure. Sorry if it all seems obvious to you guys!

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,617

    I think you need a wormery for vermicomposting.

    Edd explained it in detail earlier on in the year. have a look here

    http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/talkback/vermicomposting-for-begginers/255110.html

     

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,136

    I think in your situation I'd have a look at wormeries.  They're more for composting household waste rather than quantities of garden prunings and lawnmowings, which I presume is the situation you find yourself in. image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    Compost tumblers need to be filled all at once, left for a few days and then tumbled frequently.

    I too would suggest a wormery; small, efficient and you get to have 6000 pets!

    Just google wormeries and you will see the huge variety. You can also make your own. Cover it with an old blanket or carpet in the winter so they don't get cold.

    Don't add onion or citrus, they don't like itimage

  • BitterKnitterBitterKnitter Posts: 119

    Thank you so much! I found a great tutorial on how to make my own, and just ordered some worms and bedding from Amazon. I will name them all Fred image

    I get the occasional slug on my balcony, will that hurt my worms?

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,136

    Slugs and worms have co-existed for millennia and seem to leave each other alone.  It's far more likely to eat your plants!


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    BK, perhaps half of them should be called Susan.image

  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 341
    Egg shells are not a good idea they do not compost down unless you ground them down.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,465
    and some fredsue
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I hate it when spammers resurrect ancient threads, and it contains people who are no longer with us... :/
    artjak - in case anyone's wondering. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,136
    edited May 2023
    Much missed 
    😢 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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