Not everyone has space for a giant compost pile—but that doesn’t mean you can’t recycle organic waste. Today’s gardeners have plenty of creative options for turning scraps into soil gold.
Bokashi Composting
Originating in Japan, Bokashi uses microbes to ferment food waste in airtight buckets. The process is quick, odor-free, and perfect for apartments. After fermentation, the material can be buried in garden beds to break down fully.
Vermicomposting (Worm Towers)
Red wigglers thrive in small bins, breaking down kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich castings. A worm tower can even be placed directly in garden beds, allowing worms to feed your soil in real time.
Trench Composting
This old-school method is as simple as digging a trench, burying food scraps, and covering them with soil. Over weeks, worms and microbes do the rest. It’s discreet, effective, and requires no equipment.
DIY Upcycled Bins
For those with minimal budgets, compost bins can be fashioned from buckets, storage totes, or even old trash cans. With a few drilled holes for aeration, you’ve got a low-cost composting solution.
The Payoff
Every banana peel, coffee ground, or eggshell you divert from the trash nourishes your soil. Even small-scale composting reduces waste while giving your plants the nutrients they need.
