Composting Small Amounts Using a 5 Gallon Bucket
Composting is the natural process of recycling organic waste like food scraps and yard trimmings into a rich fertilizer that can nourish gardens, houseplants, and lawns. By composting, we can reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills while creating a free, homemade solution to enriching soil with nutrients plants crave.
While large, multi-bin compost systems work well for big yards, composting in a simple 5 gallon bucket is an accessible option for small outdoor spaces, apartments, and urban gardening. With minimal time and effort, anyone can start benefiting from compact composting right at home.
Choosing the Right Compost Bucket
Not just any 5 gallon container will work for composting. The best buckets are:
- Made of durable plastic or galvanized metal to resist corrosion
- Opaque to block light and prevent algae growth
- Cylindrical for efficient compaction and turning
- Fitted with a tight lid to retain heat and moisture while deterring pests
Standard plastic 5 gallon buckets from a hardware store check all these boxes. Avoid buckets that contained chemicals, paint, or other toxic materials. Opt for a bucket with a bail handle for easy moving.
Preparing Your Compost Bucket
Before filling your 5 gallon bucket with compost materials, some simple modifications will create optimal conditions for composting success:
- Use a power drill with a 1/4" bit to make ventilation holes around the top rim and sides of the bucket.
- Drill extra holes in the bottom for drainage.
- Add a 3-4" layer of bulky brown material like wood chips, straw, or twigs to the bottom to improve aeration and drainage.
- Place your prepared bucket on bare soil or grass to allow beneficial organisms access.
Proper ventilation and drainage help provide the air and moisture balance compost organisms need to thrive. Now it's time to start adding compost materials!
Filling Your 5 Gallon Compost Bucket
To feed the microbes, worms, and insects that create compost, you'll need to add the right balance of "green" and "brown" ingredients. Here are some guidelines:
Greens - Nitrogen-Rich Materials
- Fruit and vegetable scraps - chopped into small pieces
- Fresh grass clippings and garden weeds - avoid pesticide use
- Coffee grounds and tea bags
- Livestock manure from herbivores like horses, cows, and chickens
- Green plant-based yard waste
Browns - Carbon-Rich Materials
- Dried leaves and pine needles
- Straw, hay, sawdust, and wood chips - use minimally to avoid compacting
- Shredded paper, cardboard, and egg cartons
- Wood ash
- Dried grass and plant trimmings
Ideally, your compost bucket's contents should be 2 parts browns to 1 part greens by volume. Avoid adding meat, bones, dairy, oils, diseased plants, or invasive weeds.
Filling the Bucket in Layers
To build your compost, we recommend filling your bucket in thin, alternating layers:
- 3-4" base layer of coarse browns
- 2-3" layer of greens
- 1" covering of browns
- Repeat green and brown layers until full
This layered approach prevents compacting while allowing proper airflow. Mix and add new materials as they become available. When full, let the bucket's contents decompose for 4-6 weeks before harvesting finished compost.
Maintaining Your Compost Bucket
With the right conditions, compost will practically make itself. But checking your bucket and making adjustments helps the process along:
- Moisture - Compost should be damp like a wrung-out sponge. Add water or green waste if too dry.
- Aeration - Turn and mix the compost weekly with a shovel or compost aerator tool.
- Temperature - Compost generates heat. Monitor for bad odors, which indicate improper airflow.
Turning and mixing exposes all compost materials to oxygen and accelerates decomposition. In 4-6 weeks, your compost should look dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling - signs it's ready for harvesting.
Troubleshooting Common Compost Problems
Even well-maintained compost buckets can run into issues. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Unpleasant Odors
Foul ammonia or rotten egg smells mean there's too much green waste or not enough oxygen. To deodorize, add browns, turn the compost, and monitor moisture levels.
Pests
Flies, ants, or mice may be attracted to food scraps. Use finer browns like sawdust or wood ash to cover new greens and deter pests.
Dry, Non-Decomposing Compost
Dry compost lacks the moisture needed for decomposition. Mix in fresh greens or water to get it breaking down again.
Wet, Soggy Compost
Excess water replaces air pockets, causing anaerobic conditions. Add coarse browns and turn the compost to dry it out.
When Your Compost is Ready
Mature compost will look dark brown, feel light and fluffy, and smell earthy. Finished compost can be:
- Screened to remove unfinished woody bits and return them to the bucket for more composting
- Mixed into garden beds and potting soil to nourish plants
- Used as mulch around trees and landscaping
- Stored in a covered bin or trash can for later use
Continue adding waste to your bucket and the composting cycle will keep replenishing your garden!
Tips for Convenient Compost Bucket Use
With a few extra steps, composting in a 5 gallon bucket can be almost effortless:
- Keep a small countertop bin in the kitchen to collect food scraps.
- Line your bucket with a compostable bag or landscape fabric for easy emptying.
- During cold winters, store your bucket in a heated garage or shed so compost doesn't freeze.
- Brew compost tea by steeping mature compost in water to fertilize plants.
Think of your compost bucket as a little recycling ecosystem right at home. With minimal maintenance, you'll be generating the building blocks for next season's garden!
When It's Time to Upgrade Your System
For gardeners generating large amounts of yard and food waste, a 5 gallon compost bucket may become too small. Signs it's time to expand your compost production include:
- Your compost bucket fills up faster than the compost has time to decompose.
- You need more finished compost than your bucket can produce.
- Your outdoor space could accommodate larger compost bins.
In that case, consider upgrading to multi-bin composters or rotating drums which can handle greater compost volumes. Or, simply add more 5 gallon buckets!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to compost in a 5 gallon bucket?
Expect the composting process to take 4-6 weeks. Exact timing depends on factors like materials added, moisture, and aeration. Finished compost will look dark, crumbly, and earthy.
Should I keep my bucket compost indoors or outdoors?
Outdoors is ideal as it allows access for the decomposing organisms in soil and prevents odors. But indoor bucket composting works too if turned regularly.
Do I need special equipment for a 5 gallon compost bucket?
All you need is a drill for ventilation holes and a shovel or compost turner tool for mixing. Optional accessories include compostable bin liners and a kitchen scrap collector.
Composting, even on a small scale, offers many advantages:
- Reduces household waste sent to landfills
- Provides a free, organic soil amendment for gardens
- Improves soil health, structure, and nutrient content
- Can be done anywhere, even small spaces
- Less expensive than buying bagged compost
- Simple, low-maintenance, and easy to start
By recycling organic waste into black gold for your garden, composting offers ecological and economic benefits. We hope these tips help you successfully start composting at home.