How to Compost in a Small Space in a 5 Gallon Container // Small Space Garden Series #8

[@CaliKim29]

CALIKIM 5 Gallon Smart Pots fabric container is available at: .calikimgardenandhome.com/smart-pots-containers/. MY BOOK: Organic Gardening for Everyone: Homegrown Vegetables Made Easy - Signed, personalized copies available at calikimgardenandhome.com/books/organic-gardening-for-everyone/. CaliKim Seed Collections and CaliKim Smart Pots: calikimgardenandhome.com Good Dirt Indoor Potting Mix: good-dirt.com 10% off with code “calikim10” Smart Pots containers (excluding CK Smart Pots): 10% off w/ code “calikim” at smartpots.com Vermisterra Worm Castings, Worm Tea: 10% off w/ code “calikim” at vermisterra.com As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases: Compost thermometer: amzn.to/2RiQQiJ Raised Bed Drip Irrigation Kit: amzn.to/30jSLYq Amazon search page: amzn.to/3897OqD Seed starting supplies: amzn.to/30kbmDG Garden fertilizers:amzn.to/2uQkhBh Garden disease and pest control: amzn.to/2FMw6L7 Grow Lights: amzn.to/2NlY5FB Garden Tools: amzn.to/2RiwRRq Amazon lawn & garden supplies: amzn.to/30kFe2Z Thanks for watching!

[@NivithaVasudevan]

CaliKim29 Garden & Home DIY Thanks for sharing this video! I always want to compost but I am afraid of odors and pests. Can we leave the compost bags/containers out during rain?

[@williamspringer9581]

CaliKim29 Garden & Home DIY I think I'm going to try composting.

[@okjane7976]

I love your videos and you inspired me to do the same,thank you very much for everything my family and I love you.

[@SOULSTARBELLYDANCER7]

I love your videos. I have a 10 gal that I am going to use. How do you preserve/store it once it is completed? This upcoming year I'd like to do more no cost, low cost gardening.

[@leanneb5546]

hi there! loved this video, definitely the best o e I've come across since I started researching how to compost. anyway, I live in Canada. it's soo cold, but for a long time I've been wanting to compost because I don't want to waste the scraps from fruit and veg. etc. is it ok if I put the greens outside? they will freeze though until it is finally warm in April

[@JimsCorner]

Thanks for this information. My dad was an organic gardener. He would grow the most amazing vegetables, and then... give it all away. For him, his compost was a work of art. He took patience in perfecting it. I have long regretted not having asked him to teach me how he did it. He would have gladly shared his secrets. I appreciate this composting tutorial. It will take some of the mystery out of composting. Much obliged ma'am.

[@renaabragan1391]

Wow...thanks for your ideas and sharing to everyone who needs it

[@markemyshibukawa9254]

I had NO IDEA that one could cold compost and be ready for the garden in as little as 6 weeks!!! Love this idea! Thanks Kim! 💕 😁👍

[@dawnpettiglio6930]

I have never seen it happen that quickly and I'm a little disappointed that she didn't show how it looked in 6 weeks

[@saniquekonneh3396]

Thank for the information. Starting the process

[@kosrulesful]

I didn’t know you can compost in such a small container. Thanks for making the difference between brown and green more clear

[@none7275]

Thank you for the educational information on small space compost! This is very helpful for growing my small space vegetable garden.

[@alicecowan3499]

I am so excited to do this! I am 70 and still learning everyday 💜 God Bless you and your family Kim 💜...p.s...I love love love your initial trellis too! Keep up the great work 💜💜💜

[@shanycesteward7532]

After living a life of being unhealthy and overweight, I have began to take control. I live in a small condo, with my daughter, and have slowly been changing the way both of us eat. I never knew I could compost in a condo. I have learned how to cold compost, in a CONDO! I am excited and blessed that you have taken time to break this down in easy steps. This will assist us in growing nice food to allow us to become self sufficient, even though we have no large gardening area space. I appreciate you. Blessings!

[@michellemcguire6249]

I love that no matter how much space you have you can grow healthy food for yourself. I've always had better luck growing on a small scale just because you can pay more attention to the plants.

[@justinborgen9440]

I learned that the smaller you shred the compostingmaterial the faster it will decompose and become compost even quicker ! Thanks Cali Kim for this series it really has helped me start my organic garden on my small deck patio it’s been wonderful growing my own produce !

[@markwatkins9099]

I am so happy you started the small space garden series. I have learned so much from you, Luke and Gary over the last two seasons, but this series has really showed me how to utilize the little niches I have left in my yard. Thank you.

[@smoldrgnyvie3360]

Hey! I followed your page a few weeks ago as I started planting my garden and have had lots of inspiration that I can grow lots of food in my tiny backyard! I have most of our plants in containers but some in the ground. You've inspired me to use worm castings now in all my plants and am trying to increase the health of our actual soil with worm castings! I am so excited this year to see how much food we're able to grow! I also just yesterday got a 65-gallon smart pot I've put in my yard and filled today with flowers to bring in the pollinators! Thanks for doing these videos! This series was what helped me to find your channel, and I love all of it.

[@sewmaryjo]

Growing up in a small space is new to me. This is my 1st year. I grew a big garden for many years with my Dad. But last fall he passed away and his house was sold. Your videos have helped me see that my house can still produce many of the vegetables I love. As my Dad told me after a bad hail storm. “We’re gonna get something, just not everything we planted. That’s how life is. “

[@ladeecatty]

I learned about making compost smoothies and using shredded cardboard. I am glad that you came up this idea of a easy way for people with small spaces to compost.

[@tracysmith506]

Thank you Kim, I have learned so much from your videos! I’m happy to learn it’s not that complicated to make my own compost. This is why I love your videos, I learn something new every time! And my garden thanks you! And I wouldn’t have a healthy garden without your tips!

[@wandajohnson1505]

I started my veggie/flower garden in Feb 2020 and to see the project progress gives me so much Joy & Peace. I even purchased a Smart Pot that’s working out great with my planted herbs. I love your videos. Such an inspiration. Ms. Wanderful, Moreno Valley, Ca zone 9A & 9B🏡

[@forageforage3520]

HERE IS WHAT I LEARNED! Best to use a Smart Pot to provide the air Browns: Shredded leaves, newspaper, packing material Greens: food scraps, Coffee grounds (no dairy/meat) Break those Greens down by chopping small OR Make a smoothie/ Use a blender.. Layer it up: 3:1 Ratio Brown:Green roughly. Browns, Greens.. maybe some coffee grounds..a little water... and repeat. Overall wetness should be like a wrung out sponge. Cover the container and Place in a sunny location. Add a little more water if it dries out and then in 6 to 8 weeks you should have Black Gold!

[@kmm291]

Thanks for that !!

[@cynthiacarr3294]

Tyfs💯👍🏾😁

[@AYWalton]

So glad to know that I can put the vegetable food scraps in the blender to help the breakdown process.

[@jackorchard5597]

i learned that i can easily compost even though i live in the city and i am inspired to switch my garden to a more organic way of growing

[@joshuastamper4453]

I learned that gardening has no boundaries and can work anywhere and everywhere

[@artofshamanicmeditation88]

Cali Kim I love you I started gardening about 5 years ago and was lost completely. I thought about quitting and I came across your videos and was inspired again. I was lost on composting too and I decided to put it in a bucket and then I found this video cause I am lost. I hope to meet you one day and I definitely hope to be much like you one day. And have my own videos too. You are a wonderful inspiration and I have been telling everyone about you. Keep up the great videos. 😘

[@eileenvenango3946]

I have been inspired by your videos to start gardening again. I was inspired by the combined video with Mombi Balcony Gardener and had to try composting in a small pot. I have learned that coffee grounds are greens not browns. I also learned that I should blend my food scraps and that I don’t have enough air going to my compost. I am so so happy you did this video Kim. I was getting so discouraged with my composting in a small pot. Now I can make the proper changes to my experiment and get results.

[@groller4142]

I just watched your complete small space garden series! Without going into great detail, I am currently out of work due to a doctor's order. So, I'm having to live with an immediate family member at this time. I'm a first-time grower so currently, I'm trying to grow my vegetables in flower pots that I can find lying around. The knowledge that I have gained from your series has helped out immensely! From watering to feeding my plants. I have been really scared to start a composting bin because I thought it was ao much more complicated and on top of that I thought there would be a strong odor involved. Living with someone else, that could be a problem. So thank you so much. This will be my way of contributing back to the household. Can't wait to watch more of your videos.

[@thensley3951]

I am a newbie as well. And after watching and reading your comment, I started Composting this week. Thanks for sharing your story. :)

[@MadisonMurphyBlog]

After watching the first videos in the series, I've transformed my 12x12 deck space into a thriving garden. I've taken so much from your knowledgeable videos and reference them continually throughout my garden journey.

[@marnieanderson4257]

I love the idea of a smaller version of compositing. I’ve been trying different ways & I will defiantly try this with my daycare kids to help them learn about composting. Thank you for all your great tips, ideas & gardening wisdom! 😊

[@prakashk.b.8331]

Another gem by Kim. I usually grind the dry leaves to coarse dust and sprinkle them generously on the greens. I have never had leachate dripping out of my bin and the process takes upto 8 weeks. The contents do warm up a bit, an indication that the microorganisms are happy.

[@sdlovely1]

I love this Kim! You've inspired me to start a small garden in January and this series just sealed the deal for me. I am proud of all I have learned from you and will continue to grow my own food! Thanks so much!

[@matthewschantin108]

Thank you so much for making videos, this video taught me a lot about small scale composting which is perfect for my little garden. Your series has inspired me to create a long garden bed in my backyard in which I’ve planted all kinds of fruits and veggies. I live in Oregon but your tips and tricks have taught me how to maximize my small space for the fullest potential. I never thought I could grow anything as I’ve always had bad luck in the past but watching your videos are the perfect step by step motivation and I hope to expand my garden soon!

[@louinwy1]

I love how those smart pots work and look! I’m going to try a couple of them this year. Double good because you can make compost in them too! WOW!

[@jeannine9066]

I kept telling my Mom I did not have space to compost! Using the smartpots to keeps things aerated sounds like a great idea! Thank you!

[@kaseyhulton3185]

I have been inspired to grow smaller varities of tomatoes in my garden. And now I'm going to start composting!

[@gm4630]

Thanks Kim!🥰 This will make composting so much easier. I usually save kitchen scraps in a plastic coffee container on the kitchen counter.. with cut up newspaper or cardboard. When container gets full, I take it out to the garden and bury it in a different spot in the garden. But this method will be so much better!! Thank you thank you thank you!👍

[@bellehollins]

This felt so doable! I can’t wait to try this myself!

[@miapratchard338]

Compost is just what my garden needed. I used to just rely on moisture control soil and think that was enough but now my fruit and veggies are more beautiful than ever. Thanks for this video and for everything I have gotten to learn from you.

[@Leandrisx33]

Well I finally learned how to compost in a quick and easy way. After a week of watching videos of composting this one was the most explanatory and quick video to watch. Thanks so much! I will start on it this weekend :) better late than never i gues lol

[@SteveDOES]

I wanted to start a compost pile but figured my yard was too small for it. I’m happy you made this video to show me that it can be done. I can’t wait to get started.

[@butterfly101664]

I have a very small place to garden. I have to utilize the patio area only and I love the idea of being able to compost in a small container also. Thank you for making this seem possible.

[@jennifertaylor9733]

I love learning new things from watching your videos. I have never heard of cold composting and I learned that you can compost even if all you have is enough to make a five gallon bucket of it. I will have to give this one a try!

[@AmiElichai]

You give a whole new definition to "garden smoothy" 😀 lol Composting is something i REALLY want to do, but without space i gave up and bought bags of compost. I will definitely give this a try. Thanks for the detailed video.

[@hss2004]

Great idea, composting in a pot! Composting is such a great way to live a more self sustainable life!

[@gonefishin352]

I have a teeny weeny space to grow veggies so this idea is a really good idea for me. Thank you.

[@melodiedefouw2338]

I have been thinking lately about starting to compost. This looks like a great way to start. I didn't know of cold composting, that is something I definitely learned in this video. I like that idea of starting small in a smart pot container. It is overwhelming looking at some of the large compost bins, etc. Great start for beginners. I also started growing many veggies out our patio door as we don't have a deck. I love how easy it has been and fun to start my own garden in a small space.

[@anna-banana34]

Your videos are so relaxing. I loved this video and can't wait to get my first garden started!

[@CaliKim29]

I'm so glad to hear this! We're going to hold you to getting that first garden started - you'll be so glad you did. Keep us all posted!

[@smallwondergarden9407]

I have really enjoyed the whole series and was inspired to add a lot more veggies to my small patio. I never even thought about trying to compost in a 5 gallon container, thanks for all your tips.

[@kristysmith6229]

Absolutely love your channel! You have given me the confidence to start my own containers garden with your seed collections. I have several smart pots that I have really liked, so it’s nice to know I can start my compost in them also. You are just a wealth of knowledge! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@peterhanna8992]

U are so amazing . U done it again ..Peter from the Bahamas ..can we grow strawberries over here . Help me

[@omagras1]

I learned that I can compost pretty much all my kitchen scraps for my coffee grounds to all the leftover cut-ins and stuff from my salads and banana peels and I live in the city so this can help out my little small garden in the back with fertilization and fresh soil thank you

[@hugeackman7524]

My wife and I were just talking about composting in buckets so now armed with your information plans are a go. Thank you.

[@littlejk7913]

I never knew that composting can be done is just a 5 gallon container. This video is very inspiring for me to restart my compost bin. Thanks calikim.

[@kevindecoteau3186]

One can also get coffee grounds for free at wholefoods coffee bars.

[@ofeliagonzaga6472]

Kevin Decoteau planting celery

[@cheeki43]

I went to starbucks

[@witchescrossing]

OMG! Those fabric pots are fantastic! I've never heard of them before. And I've been gardening for over 25 years! I love learning about new products that help with the whole gardening process. The fact that these bags can "breathe" and take in air for quicker composting is awesome! I have a large three- sectioned compost area, that I made out of recycled pallets, that produces lots and lots of compost, but I like the idea of having a small amount of compost in a fabric pot nearby for quick garden amendments. Thank you so much for this great video and for teaching everyone how to compost in small amounts quickly!♥🌱♥

[@shep6123]

That’s cool we’re gonna try to start having garden I miss having a garden and about in the country we need a small garden that’s a good idea thank you

[@samantharamos7665]

Learned how to make a simple and easy cold compost pile, which I’ve never done. This is very helpful because I sometime have a hard time with keeping my compost hot, now we can make a cold compost pile and not worry about if it’s getting hot or not! Thank you CaliKim!

[@lifewithlois7262]

Good Morning I love this information thanks for sharing God Bless💕

[@ymaify]

I have a small deck and I loved learning new easy ways to use the space I have to grow more plants.

[@RoseThistleArtworks]

Thank you. I never knew there was cold compost. This seems like something I can try out.

[@meowslimez4927]

I have learned that no matter what you can grow your own food and save money even on an apartment balcony Loved this series Thank You!!

[@carolinebutsch6343]

Love this idea of composting in a container on my deck! May I toss in used paper towels?

[@kathymac21]

Yes, if they don’t have animal products on them.

[@sandyb2231]

I never knew till now I could make a 'cold compost' pile. That's good to hear! It looks very simple and quick and I can actually layer it all into a Smart Pot - which makes sense. Thank you Kim for the very helpful video on cold composting.

[@nadiaheilmann4123]

I’ve learned so much from your videos. For example growing in a small space has helped me so much and growing in smart pots. Thank you. Question: can I grow 2 Tiny Tim tomato’s in a 7 gallon smart pot?

[@jenakoser2755]

I never new you could compost in a 5 gallon containers I love watching your Channel i am only 16 but you have taught me so much about gardening and I love having a garden thanks to you for teaching me on how to grow plants

[@KathyaKalinine]

Yay! Kim, thank you for doing this video! I've always wanted to compost but don't have room in my ard. This is the perfect option for me! I can't wait to start! Right after I return from Italy, where I'm enjoying AMAZING fresh fruits and vegetables while making new friends! 🙂

[@vmperkins9168]

My daughter and I started a patio garden. She was just asking if we could start a compost pile. I started researching, but don’t want to commit to something so big. This will be perfect for us. She will be excited. This will give her something to do this summer. Thank you for all your knowledge.

[@aaroncrockett1349]

I just started a worm composter in the ground but it would of been easier to use a fabric pot. Thank for the information, but do you know if worms would crawl out of fabric pot of I make one?

[@thesoutherngardner109]

Happy gardening everyone. Kim I live in Alabama. It is hot and humid. In the past years, I have grown my vegetables in three rasied beds with a very small harvest. I happened upon your videos recently. I want you to know that you inigted my passion for gardening again. I learn so much from viewing your videos. Everything from soil amendments, fertilizing and pruning. I have expanded my garden area to include containers. Thank you for providing great content and thank you for restoring my passion for gardening.

[@sifrk]

Can I use shredded personal documents? I shred my bank statements, credit card statements, etc. Wondering if the ink on the documents would be an issue.

[@chefdecuisine3080]

shred your unpaid bills to you wont be in debt at all you just have to adapt to a prison cell

[@pxl9365]

That's actually a good question!

[@ofirrifo6018]

sifrk I think it will be ok since the newspapers are also printed using ink. But it will be good having an advise from one of the experts. I hate to discard those banana, orange, lemon, and all fruits peels knowing that they can be used to feed my small plants.

[@khoavo7111]

Thank you Cali- Kim for sharing how to make compose with food blender. Grind it down until it look like baby dodo. Your way is much faster than my. It takes many months for me to make compose. I made mixtures of waste veggies, soil, and ground coffee. Next time I will cover the container like you said in the video. Thanks again.

[@SuperShadc]

I didn't know how to compost. This really helped. How do you know when it's done?

[@leiaclark8388]

When it has turned to super dark dirt, and has a good earth smell to it. When you compare it to regular dirt, it will have a much richer quality feel to it. It’s like comparing pizza from dominos to the little cheap microwave pizzas from vending machines.

[@StitchedbyTasha]

Ill be moving to an apartment in BA in a few weeks and his series has encouraged me to have a balcony garden. I can’t wait to get started. Mostly lettuce and greens unless I put a few grow lights out because most of the balcony is shaded or gets less than 5 hrs of sun.

[@cynthiacastrucci7750]

When it starts breaking down, can in toss in some worms i find in my garden bed? Or will it be too warm?

[@angelaburnett7979]

We have started using these pots this year after watching your success with them. We actually do not have a small garden- it is about 10,000 square feet, but we are able to start earlier and protect our vegies from deer and rabbits easier in these pots. Bambi and Thumper ravage our garden, nothing seems to deter them here in rural Kentucky. So protection is the best solution as they even jump the 6 foot deer fence easily. We also have them placed all over our patio and deck to increase productivity and grow more food. We love your creative ideas. We now have a live "salad bar" just 15 feet from our back door! Thanks for the inspiration, love your videos!!

[@ElizaFerree]

I've been learning so much watching your videos. I had no clue you could make compost in such a short time. Starbucks has free coffee grounds? Do you simply ask them as you are ordering a coffee/frap? I haven't tried the smart pots yet but I've loved this series because I live in a trailer with a very small space. Thank you so much for the tips. Would love to win this. :)

[@ITLNMAM1]

Eliza Ferree Call your local Starbucks prior to going, ask them to make you up a bag and let them know what time you'll be in to pick it up

[@ElizaFerree]

Thank you so much. :)

[@robynmize4713]

i missed her timeline... start to finish.... how long for a 5 gallon bin... tended to 2 times a week? TY

[@LegumesEtFleurs]

robyn mize if I’m not mistaken, she said, the compost will be ready in 6-8 weeks. 😄

[@LucynMommy]

I have my first garden ever. I gained a lot of confidence from watching your videos. Thank you!

[@NatureZone101]

Should have mentioned what people need to do if not using one of those breathable fabric pots since "air" is a major part of this.

[@KYM-12]

I learned to blend the food scraps in the blender. It helps to speed up the break down process! Thanks for this!

[@sdseals2076]

I learned that I can make compost in the city in my small area. I also learned that it is cheap and the materials are easy to get. It is also easy to make.

[@Sai.audio.katrajwala]

Question:-🍅Can I compost it in open space in rainy season????🍅

[@mioangel1227]

aksh dj: My guess is not! It's better if you cover it!

[@badvibesnosleep975]

aksh dj, you can use a 5 gallon bucket like ones from home depot and they have lids you can buy

[@patriciaguirola5689]

I don't understand why it has to be covered. I've been composting for a couple of years and during the rainy season, the rain keeps my piles of composting materials moist. I believe rainwater is much better for the soil than treated water which comes down the city pipes. During the dry season I have to water it with the hose, of course. I live in a tropical climate with only two seasons: rainy and dry, with temperatures between 22 and 30 degrees C. year round.

[@GabrielaRamirez-mz7ls]

I love how you show us many things to compost and love how your garden is.

[@presleysmith8776]

eww! i am not using my moms blender for my compost she would kill me.

[@lucillebell7026]

I am paralyzed by research before starting. Thank you for making it fun & simple.I am motivated to really GET STARTED>

[@Carimeldream]

This video is Awesome! I'm a new gardener and just decided today that I don't have enough scraps to make my own compost. Now I feel encouraged to try it out. Thanks sooo much!

[@TheTaryn628]

CaliKim- you are a gardening guru! Thank you so much for this series, I have been growing your Small Space Garden seed collection here in Maryland since mid April. Your videos are so awesome and I can’t thank you enough. I’m new to this gardening thing and you have successfully guided me through it all. I even have some dwarf Taylor beans starting to grow on my patio! I eat bananas and drink coffee every day - it’s so helpful to know that with my limited space I can grow a ton of veggies and also create the black gold to feed them with. It feels amazing to be able to do this with things I already use - Ill feel more environmentally friendly and that’s important to me. Thank you so very much.

[@pancakeninja445]

Thanks so much!! Very informative, less waste = good waste for my garden!

[@liladeleon9429]

Great you are so nice to have this contest. Yes, we don't have the big space to have the other kind of compost so this is just great. Thank you dear you are incredible

[@deemccumbee8715]

Thanks for this video. I've struggled with trying to make compost piles that take forever to break down. This looks so much easier.

[@KiraiBK]

I have HUGE trees in my backyard, so even though I don’t have a small space garden, this video was helpful in showing me how to start composting.

[@Chai-pz2nj]

I learned that you can compost in a small space in a smart pot. I can’t wait to try it myself! I have learned so much from your videos! Thank you so much!

[@nancyrisse9258]

I absolutely love your videos. I have been composting for a while but watching your videos has taught me a few new things that I didn’t know. You are an excellent teacher!! Thank you

[@CaliKim29]

You are so welcome! and that YOU for the encouraging words that truly inspire me to keep on making videos! Your comment made my day! Where are you and what are you growing? CaliKim

[@meganhernandez1404]

We live backed up to wooded land and has lots of shade. Makes it very challenging to grow in an inground garden. Growing in pots to allow plants to be moved to follow the sun and is a great way that we have adjusted to large shaded yard. This series has been fantastic! We got some good tips especially with composting with this video! I think I am going to give the Smart Pots a try!

[@wandaowens4030]

You have shown me the smart way to compost on this small bit of land.

[@arshiahussaini3530]

I had no idea you could compost in a smart pot! I wish I knew earlier!! I never heard of cold composting and this video is one of the most beneficial ones for gardeners on a budget! THANK YOU!!

[@jonibayles2844]

I love to compost. Thanks for the video. I actually ran out and turned mine after watching this video. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@nikkianderson4735]

I’ve never thought about composting in a small container like that. It is perfect! Thank you CaliKim!

[@gmc0678]

I’m an old southern woman, been gardening my entire life and have never made compost! This is a method I will try. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@KJ-sy3gt]

Thank you. Had no idea I could compost in such small container. Thank you for the small space gardening series. I have learned alot.

[@danielapczynski420]

Always wanted to start compost in my yard but had no room. Now this will be perfect for all my plants that you helped me grow!

[@sirissil7550]

Thank you for putting this series together. I have learned so much about growing food in my own small space garden! And composting, I had no idea you could compost in a small container. Thank you so much for this invaluable info!

[@TheRealJayGutta]

I've learned how to out together a strawberry grow crate from old milk crates. This is definitely going to help maximize the amount of fruits and veggies I grow in my small space garden. Thank you!

[@cherylheffelfinger2677]

This is my first year growing a garden on my deck. I love the smart pots verses a regular pot. I feel my plants are doing much better in them. I have cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, and blueberry bushes and elderberry. Will transplant those in the garden in the fall. I love walking out on the deck to view my accomplishments. Next year will be bigger and better.!

[@yonic.v9011]

I learned that if we blended our compost material it will break down even faster. Love your videos there always informative