Build a compost for the balcony yourself

Build a compost for the balcony yourself

The building instructions

A plastic bin with a capacity of 75 liters is ideal for composting on the balcony. Drill several holes in the bottom and on the sides that are no larger than an inch in diameter. The holes are used for ventilation and water drainage. You will need a large coaster so that the liquid does not run on the floor.

also read

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  • Building compost out of stone - this is how it's done
  • Compost structure - this is how you get good compost

Build a stable frame around the coaster made of four bricks and four squared timbers that are placed on the stones. You should be able to easily pull the coaster out from between the bricks to empty it. Place the plastic bin on the square timbers. This distance between the bin and the coaster allows air to circulate.

Line the bottom of the bin with cardboard and sprinkle a layer of thin twigs over it. The twigs ensure better ventilation from below, while the cardboard catches small material from the twigs and compost contents. Close the bin with a lid so that the heat is retained inside.

Fill the compost correctly

A layer of fresh compost supplies the new approach with important microorganisms that can immediately start rotting. Put as finely divided organic waste as possible on the compost, since small residues are recycled faster. Make sure you have a good mix of dry, moist, fine and coarse residues. A ratio of 60 to 80 percent of moist waste and 20 to 40 percent of dry components is ideal. Leftovers from cooked food and meat are unsuitable.

This biowaste ends up on the compost:

  • Peel of bananas, potatoes and eggs
  • Leaves, needles and weeds
  • Tea bags, leftover bread and coffee grounds

Tips on how to compost properly

At the beginning the bin fills at breakneck speed as the biomass takes up a lot of space. When the outside temperature is optimal of 20 degrees Celsius, rotting proceeds the fastest. As soon as the microorganisms begin to decompose, the contents sag. In a household of four people, a ton can take up to nine months to fill up completely. After a year you can transfer the contents to a second bin. As a result, the substrate is rearranged and thoroughly ventilated.

Make sure that the compost is neither too wet nor too dry. A wet compost tends to develop an odor, while the microorganisms cannot work in a dried out substrate. The water content is ideal if the substrate feels like a squeezed sponge. Once the compost gets too damp, you can add some cardboard. Regular watering helps against drought. Nettle manure is suitable for this because it also promotes the activity of the organisms.