No Backyard? No Worries: Discover How to Compost Indoors Easily!

Composting has been practiced since ancient times, documented as early as biblical periods. It involves a controlled breakdown process that yields a nutrient-dense fertilizer, thus reducing gardening costs.

It also plays a crucial role in environmental conservation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food remnants and yard debris make up about 30% of the waste in landfills.

Typically, composting involves setting up a pile in the backyard near the garden. However, those with limited space or no yard at all can still participate by composting indoors and using the compost for houseplants or contributing it to community gardens.

Suitable Materials for Composting

The composting process involves strategic layering. Gena Loraine, a horticulturist with Fantastic Services, suggests starting with a base layer of twigs or grass for proper drainage. Then, “alternate your layers between green and brown materials keeping a balanced ratio, and moisten with water as you build the layers,” she advises.

Green Material

Green materials for your compost pile include lawn clippings, fresh plant waste, coffee grounds, tea bags, and kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, and even stale beer.

Brown Material

Brown materials consist of dried leaves, small branches, shredded paper, egg cartons, cardboard, sawdust, and even wine corks.

What Not to Compost

Some items should be avoided in composting: Cooking grease, oils, dairy, and meat/fish remains, including bones. Excessive moisture can also hinder the composting process. Keep your compost damp using a hose, and cover it during rain. Also cover with wood or carpet scraps to retain moisture and warmth.

“After layering, the pile will begin to warm up,” Loraine notes. “Monitor the temperature with a meat thermometer. It should stay between 49 and 77 degrees Celsius (120 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit). Stir if the temperature drops.”

Regularly stirring the compost, such as weekly, is essential for effective decomposition.

“Stir your compost frequently to expedite the process. It might take a few months up to a year to fully decompose,” advises Loraine.

“The compost is ready when it no longer generates heat. It will resemble soil, dark brown in color and with an earthy smell,” she adds.

Starting Your Compost Pile at Home

Anyone with a backyard can start composting by setting up a pile or using a bin. Choose a sunny location in cooler regions and a shaded one in warmer areas. Position your compost close to where you’ll use the compost to simplify your gardening work.

If space is constrained, discuss your plans with neighbors to ensure they are comfortable with your composting, as it might generate a mild odor. However, a well-maintained compost shouldn’t emit strong odors.

Ensure your pile is in direct contact with the earth if it’s on the ground to allow microorganisms easy access. If opting for a bin, Loraine recommends a square or cone-shaped design for optimal ventilation.

For convenience, keep a small compost bin under your kitchen sink, suggests Summer Rayne Oakes, founder of Homestead Brooklyn. Line it with a compostable bag and store your kitchen waste there until you can take it outside.

Composting in Small Spaces or Without a Yard

Apartment dwellers can also engage in composting using a container with holes for aeration and drainage. Loraine suggests, “Begin with a layer of wet paper strips, add soil, and then introduce red wiggler worms. Maintain a square foot of space per pound of worms and cover with moist paper each time you add scraps.”

Rayne supports indoor worm composting as an effective method for those without outdoor space. “It’s slower but yields high-quality compost for indoor plants or a balcony garden,” she explains.

If handling worms isn’t appealing, consider freezing your kitchen scraps in a paper bag and later taking them to a local composting facility or a farmers market that accepts organic waste.

To further benefit from composting, investigate if your municipality offers incentives or rebates for residents who compost.