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Many New York City residents have no backyard or side yard at all. This doesn't mean you can't compost—it just means you'll have to pay special attention to your compost bin, to avoid attracting rodents and other vermin or creating any odors that will upset your landlord and neighbors.
Just as members of many organizations in New York City find clever ways to "green" even the most crowded spaces, people all over find ways to compost. New Yorkers keep small compost bins on rooftops, in courtyard areas, in garbage storage areas, on terraces, and right outside their buildings. Just make sure that you have the permission of your building management before you begin your bin.
The bin shown here is perfect for small, urban areas. It is compact, tough, and completely rodent-proof. Also see how to purchase a discounted compost bin.
For help with composting problems, see the "beyond the basics" guide on troubleshooting outdoor composting.
step 1: starting your bin
step 2: add water
step 3: add food scraps
step 4: harvest your compost
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If you live in a dense urban area, chances are you won't have access to fall leaves to begin your bin. A good way to begin your bin, then, is with some finished compost. In the spring or fall you can get free, finished compost at a compost giveback. You can also use potting soil, which can be purchased in large quantities year-round at many hardware stores and garden centers throughout the city. Fill your bin about one-third full to start. If you do have access to fall leaves, you can start your bin with them. Fill the bin about three-quarters full with leaves.
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If you start your bin with fall leaves, it is important that you add water. Add at least 1 gallon of water to a pile the size of the one shown here. Be sure to mix the leaves as you pour to coat them evenly and soak them all with water. The leaves should glisten with moisture. If you start your bin with finished compost or potting soil, you do not need to add water right away—but you might have to add water from time to time, especially in drought months, if your pile feels dry. The bin shown here has small holes in the top, which allow rain water in. For more information, see the "beyond the basics" guide on mixing your compost.
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The main thing to remember when adding food scraps is to bury them under a thin layer of finished compost or fall leaves. This will disguise the scent of the food and deter vermin. You can use a small garden fork to turn the fresh material under the older material. A convenient way to store kitchen scraps so you don't have to run out to the compost bin every time you prepare food is to keep them in the freezer in a large zip-lock bag. This way you won't attract flies to the food scraps in the summer or generate any odors in the kitchen. Remember, you want to keep a balance between the materials in the "greens" and "browns" lists. For a more complete list of organic materials, go to the Master Composter website. For more information on adding materials, see the "beyond the basics" guide on materials to compost—and how to add them.
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The bin pictured is small, but it can still hold a good amount of organic materials, since they reduce significantly in volume as they decompose. A small Halloween pumpkin will seemingly "disappear" in about three weeks! However, at some point, you will need to dig out some of the finished compost in order to continue to make room for more fresh material. There are essentially two ways to harvest your compost from this kind of small bin. You can simply dig down into the bottom of the bin and pull the finished material up, or if you have the space, you can tip the whole bin over and separate out the friable, soil-like compost from the still decomposing material. Conduct this simple test to tell if your compost is ready to be used.
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