Do you want to build a composter with your own hands to transform organic vegetable waste into very useful and fragrant compost (useful fertilizer for your potted plants)? Wait before answering I'd like to but I can't… I only have a balcony! because you have exactly everything you need!
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Do you want to build a composter with your own hands to transform organic vegetable waste into very useful and fragrant compost (useful fertilizer for your potted plants)? Wait before answering "I would like to but I can't ... I only have a balcony!" because you have exactly everything you need!
The compost bin I want to tell you about - and that I built myself - is the one I amicably define "Self-sufficient balcony composter":"self-sufficient"Because once filled you only have to wait a couple of months - or three depending on the time of year - and the compost is nice and ready and"from balcony"Because it is the perfect compost bin for any owner of a balcony, terrace, terrace or even a small railing since it is clean, space-saving and limited just like the needs of those who have pots and not a piece of land!
It also has a fantastic value: it costs little and is very easy to do!
Construction is really easy HERE you can find the tutorial step by step e HERE the video-tutorial published on my YouTube channel (Miss81Kia channel), the "self-sufficient composter for balcony" I'm talking about is the same one we built with Paola Maugeri for "her Life with Zero Impact", the same as I presented at "do the right thing" in Milan and at the "Eco-ntamination Lab" event in Milan ...
... well, don't you want it too?
With this composter you will take the compost all at once this is because having pots you will use it for repotting, for topping up or for fertilization but in any case you will use it 1 or 2 times a year!
On the web there are dozens of guides that can be downloaded or consulted, I started from there but then ... well, then I made it much easier because in my opinion the COMPOSTER if well organized it does not need complicated bio-filters or other options, the important thing is first of all always close it well, remembering that nothing must go out or enter and follow scrupulously 3 rules (which I will tell you shortly!) fundamental.
What you need to get is a quite large bin (of those for dirty linen, garbage or dry garden leaves the important thing is that it has a lid and that once closed it is perfectly sealed!), I took it from 80 liters (but we are in 2 one vegan and one vegetarian!) But you adjust according to your consumption, then get some expanded clay in ballsand fine mesh plastic net, of the zfront panel in fabric (not in aluminum!), del coated wire, for an saucer, plastic clothespins and a drill.
Then take the bin and puncture it well (even on the bottom but not the lid!), Not by chance but on a regular basis to allow for good ventilation.
At this point you have to internally line all your future composter, first with the mosquito net and then with the fine-meshed plastic net, help yourself by fixing here and there with the coated iron wire, finally you only have to prepare the bottom: put a disk of retina to measure on the bottom, fix it, fill with the expanded clay balls for about 10 cm and then place another disk of retina on top, fix this too and at this point you are there ... you just have to place a soft bed of high peat about 10 cm and get some earthworms (if you don't know where to find good earth with earthworms you can buy them in shops where they sell live bait) and that's it!
Put the saucer under the composter, however, placing the risers between the saucer and the bin (that's what the plastic clothespins were for!) So that the bin remains raised and that there is space between it and the saucer, this will serve to allow the leachate to flow easily to the saucer which you will have to empty from time to time.
A clarification: earthworms are absolutely necessary and together with them during composting molds and fungi will form (white, green ...) ... don't worry, everything is fine, it's all part of the process!
... but remember, without earthworms the composting described does not happen!
Before starting to use your composter, as I told you before, they are there 3 basic rules many important ones that you must never forget:
1) do not throw away anything that has been seasoned or greased, do not throw away anything animal origin not even the treats of your furry friends otherwise it will be a filthy disaster!
2) put your composter in one area sheltered from the sun scorching or frost maybe in a corner of your balcony, this is because the earthworm friends & Co. they are very delicate and do not tolerate too sudden changes in temperature or, worse, changes in humidity or stagnation!
3) mix well the "wet vegetable" part with the "dry" part like leaves, straw or newspapers (daily and NOT COATED!) in this way: 1 layer of vegetable scraps, 1 layer of dry, 1 layer of vegetables, 1 layer of dry, and at the end I suggest you always put a fine layer of peat which will be used to avoid the formation of bad smells and gnats!
At this point, you know everything, you can start filling your bin and once it is full you must be patient for about 2 or 3 months depending on the period (in spring-summer ago before autumn-winter) and your compost will be ready. when opening and mixing you will no longer recognize any plant residue, seeing instead only earth and you will smell a good scent of undergrowth, otherwise you will just have to close it and wait again.
The password is: do not rush!
Happy composting everyone!
useful info: equoecoevegan.blogspot.com
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