I too have minimal space. Most of my gardening is in pots. I have no idea how to a) create compost from kitchen waste with little/no yardspace and b) get the benefits of compost to already-potted plants. Any suggestions?

I'd wondered if making a kitchen waste "smoothie" in the blender might be able to be poured into my potted plants or if this might just cause problems (or be ineffective).

Other people DO do the blender smoothie thing - just do a search for "blender" & you should find a bunch of stuff. Some blend & then put the puree on the compost pile, some blend & pour into the garden bed.

Most will tell you that for a compost pile to "heat up" (so that things disintegrate in a certain timeframe, and for other beneficial factors), that a certain minimum size is optimal (3x3x3' or 4x4x4').

But, that said, I have my compost bin in a 33 gal Rubbermaid bin (I cut out the bottom so it sits on the ground, but you don't have to) - It has air holes on the sides taht I made w/a drill, and I turn it at least 2x a week - I really enjoy turning the compost - it's sort of therapeutic. Things in there can take 3 mos or 3 weeks, depending on the circumstances.

There are commercial composting bins, and you could do a search for those too to see what feedback you get - but alot of people have come to believe that it just doesn't make as good compost, I think in terms of texture & odor - who knows??!!

Also, there's worm composting - I think it's called "vericomposting" and it has its own forum - and actually, there's a link for it under "related topics."

Hope this helps,
All the Best, Tree (who is also a fabric addict :)

Roof composting implies to me that 'browns' might be more of a problem than 'greens'. Perhaps leaves are not an option.

I would investigate the recycling possibilities. Shredded paper might be your basic 'brown' ingredient. I much prefer a mix of leaves that neighbors don't mind that I run off with. Some are nice enough to even shred them THEN throw them out. (Scratch of the head) I guess they like to feel there is some use to the chipper/shredder taking up space in the garage. But paper will work fine, and you may not have a choice.

I suspect this forum is not the only one on GW that might benefit you. Do a Search on 'roof' all forums, to see what other info might be available.

I like to promote the use of the 'Search', so here goes.

Search of 'roof' this forum only -=--- 38 hits
Search of 'roof' all forums ----- 5597
Search of 'roof composting' this forum only 28
Search of 'roof composting' all forums 842

Bob

Thank you for the help. I think I will try the garbage bin strategy. I would also like to build the worm farm, but will start first with the garbage bin strategy since it's pretty quick.

When I run out of compost bin space in my very very small garden, I start putting the garbage directly in a big planter. I put a layer of soil in the bottom, and then put chopped up garbage (in the food processor -- shhh!)and torn up small food cartons etc, with a thin layer of soil between the layers. I don't chop the garbage for my bins, because I don't mind them sitting there for a long time, but I want to use the planters quickly, and it definitely makes a time difference. At all times it is topped with a thin layer of soil, and I haven't noticed a smell. When it is full, I put a thicker layer of soil on the top and then plant directly in it. Sort of like a lasagna bed in a planter. I some times do this directly into flower pots too.

I think this would work on a rooftop too. If you have too much garbage to process properly on the roof, you could put it into bags and give it away to like-minded friends! I have a friend at work who brings me her vegetable and fruit trimmings!

Ashita