Express apartment compost: turn your kitchen waste into plant gold!
You don't need a garden or giant earthworms to make compost! With a few simple gestures, your peelings can become a veritable elixir for your houseplants or balcony. And all from the comfort of your kitchen.
Yes, composting in an apartment is possible (and not so difficult)!
For a long time, I told myself that composting was a house-and-garden thing. But then I discovered that in an apartment, you can also recycle your organic waste... with no smell, no bugs, and without sacrificing your interior design.
The idea is to transform "waste" - vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells, fruit scraps - into rich, balanced compost, perfect for nourishing your plants. And contrary to popular belief, it doesn't take up too much space or time.
There are two options: dry compost (or "bokashi"), ideal for those in a hurry, and vermicompost, which is livelier but a little more demanding. In both cases, we speak of express compost, ready in just a few weeks.
3 easy ways to start composting in the city
1. Bokashi compost: fast, odorless
Originating in Japan, this system is based on fermentation. It uses a small, airtight bucket and an activator (often based on bran and micro-organisms). Each day, you add your kitchen waste, squeeze and seal. The result is a liquid you can dilute for your plants after a few days, and compost ready to bury in pots or window boxes in 15 days.
Ultra-compact, it fits under the sink and doesn't smell. Perfect for small apartments.
2. The vermicomposter: for lovers of living things
Worms (Eisenia foetida, their name is cute isn't it?) digest your waste to produce ultra-fertile compost. All in a ventilated, often designer, bin on the balcony or in the kitchen. It takes a little getting used to (carbon/nitrogen balance, humidity...), but it's magical to see your leftovers transformed into black, living earth.
Allow 1 to 2 months for the first harvests. And yes, worms don't run away.
3. Potted compost for beginners
Don't feel like investing? Try this DIY method: alternate kitchen waste, shredded cardboard and a little soil in a large perforated pot. Stir from time to time. In just a few weeks, you'll have homemade potting soil that's perfect for repotting plants.
Ideal for balconies and urban mini-gardens.
Composting in your apartment is a small gesture that changes everything: less waste, happier plants, and the immense satisfaction of seeing life reborn... from a simple peel.
So, are you ready to start growing basil with your apple cores?
Read also
These 5 foods you shouldn't put in your composterComposting is an environmentally-friendly way of reducing waste while enriching the soil in your garden. However, not all organic waste is compatible with this method. Some can not only slow down the decomposition process, but also attract pests or throw your compost out of balance. Here's a list of foods to avoid.
Vincent SabourdyI make the best crêpes on the street.
I love accessible recipes, practical advice, and culinary news.
My goal: to offer the best possible culinary website to make cooking a pleasant and shared experience.
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