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A report by Amateur Gardening describes ways people without gardens can compost food scraps, including a small balcony bin, a wormery or a countertop bokashi system. It also suggests shared outdoor space as an option; the guide says worm compost may be ready in eight to 12 weeks, depending on the setup and conditions.
Amateur Gardening has outlined several ways people without a garden can compost kitchen scraps, from a small balcony bin or wormery to a countertop bokashi system. The advice addresses a space constraint for flat-dwellers and also points to shared outdoor areas as a possible place for community composting.
Chris Collins, writing for Amateur Gardening, says he has composted in a central London flat and uses a 20-litre balcony bin. His method combines roughly equal amounts of brown material, such as shredded paper, and green material, such as kitchen waste. This is one example in the report, not a guarantee that every bin or mix will suit every home.
Another option is a wormery, also called vermiculture. The report describes making one from three stacking trays: two trays have holes for drainage and airflow, while the bottom tray has none. A layer of stones helps create space between trays; the top tray is started with damp soil, compost or shredded paper before worms and food scraps are added. Collins says suitable worms can be bought from fishing shops.
For homes where an outdoor bin is not practical, the report recommends considering bokashi, a closed, oxygen-free treatment kept in a small airtight bin with a tap. An inoculant such as bran introduces microbes to help treat the waste. The resulting material is described as pre-compost and can be placed at the bottom of containers to break down further. The article also suggests asking about shared ground-level spaces or setting up a resident-run composting scheme.
Composting Beyond the Garden
People living in flats may have nowhere to put a conventional garden compost heap, but the report shows that limited outdoor space does not rule out every form of composting. Smaller systems can give residents a way to handle some kitchen scraps at home and produce material for pots and planters.
The options differ in their space and setup needs. A balcony bin requires room for the container and a balanced mix of materials; a wormery needs suitable trays and worms; bokashi uses a sealed countertop bin and an inoculant. A shared composting area may suit residents who cannot keep any system inside. The article offers these as practical choices, not as a claim that one method works for all households.
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The source is a practical gardening report rather than a policy announcement or new scientific study. Its recommendations draw on Collins’s experience composting in a London flat and include alternatives for different living arrangements. The report gives a 50:50 ratio of brown to green materials for the small bin and wormery advice, with examples such as vegetable peelings, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, torn egg boxes and shredded paper.
Collins says worm compost may begin to collect in the middle tray after eight to 12 weeks, while nutrient-rich liquid may collect in the bottom tray. The report says this liquid can be used as plant fertiliser when diluted, but does not give a dilution rate. It advises chopping wormery ingredients into smaller pieces and keeping the brown-and-green balance. For fallen leaves, it recommends separate storage in loosely tied plastic sacks for a year or two and says to get the landowner’s permission before collecting them.
“I’ve lived in a central London flat for many years, so I know what it’s like to make compost in a tight space.”
— Chris Collins, writing for Amateur Gardening
Setup Needs and Timing Vary
The report does not specify how much compost a household can expect from each setup, or how results vary with temperature, maintenance and the amount of waste added. Its eight-to-12-week estimate applies to the wormery advice and should not be read as a universal timetable. The article also does not provide a dilution ratio for the liquid collected in the bottom tray.
Local rules, landlord permissions and the availability of shared space may affect which option residents can use. The source recommends community or car-park composting but does not identify particular schemes or explain how residents can find one. Readers should check relevant permissions and follow the instructions supplied with any purchased system or inoculant.
Choosing a Suitable Composting Route
The next step for a resident interested in composting is to match the method to the space available: a small bin for a balcony, a wormery where trays and worms can be maintained, or bokashi where an airtight countertop container is more suitable. Residents considering a shared setup can ask a landlord, building manager or neighbours whether a suitable ground-level area is available.
Amateur Gardening points readers to Garden Organic for further composting and bokashi information. The report does not announce a new program or provide a timetable for any wider development; the options described remain practical guidance for households and communities.
Key Questions
Can I compost if I live in a flat without a garden?
Yes. Amateur Gardening describes a small balcony bin, a wormery and countertop bokashi as possible options, and also suggests shared outdoor composting where available. Which method fits depends on space, permissions and household needs.
What can go in a small wormery?
The report lists vegetable peelings, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags and torn egg boxes. It advises chopping scraps into small pieces and maintaining an approximate 50:50 balance of green and brown materials.
How long does a wormery take to produce compost?
Collins says crumbly worm compost may start collecting in the middle tray after eight to 12 weeks. This is an estimate from the report, not a fixed timeframe for every wormery.
What is bokashi composting?
Bokashi is described as a closed, oxygen-free process using an airtight bin and an inoculant such as bran. The treated material is pre-compost and can break down further in a plant container, according to the report.
Can I collect fallen leaves for compost?
The report recommends composting leaves separately, for example in loosely tied plastic sacks, and storing them for a year or two. It says to ask the landowner’s permission before collecting leaves.
Source: amateurgardening.com
