Ready to reduce how much waste your home produces? Approximately 24% of all waste that ends up in landfills is food waste. And you can reduce your household food waste to nearly zero with composting. Getting started comes with so many “rules,” so I thought I’d tackle the questions I get asked the most about composting.
One of the most common questions people have about composting is what materials can be composted. Generally, any organic material can be composted, including fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, and yard waste such as leaves and grass clippings. But it’s important to limiting throwing meat, dairy, and fats in your compost bin, as these can attract pests and create unpleasant odor.
Another common question is how long it takes for compost to be ready to use. The answer can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the size of your compost pile, the types of materials you’re composting, and the temperature and moisture levels in your compost bin. Generally, it takes anywhere from a few months to a year for compost to be fully broken down and ready to use in your garden. And there are ways you can speed up the process like turning your compost pile regularly, keeping it moist, and adding materials that are high in nitrogen, such as grass clippings and coffee grounds.
You can use your compost to improve your garden soil (whether raised bed, no-dig, or in ground – it helps everywhere). Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, into nutrient-rich soil. It’s a natural way to recycle these materials and create a sustainable and FREE source of nutrients for your garden.
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Basics of Composting
Composting is a natural process that transforms organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. It’s basically a circular process: we (or someone) harvested from the earth, and now we’re giving it back to the earth. It is a super simple and effective way to reduce your household waste and create a natural and nutritious fertilizer for your plants (without any of that chemical BS).
I’ve avoided this post for so long…because, honestly, composting is better as a hands-on learning experience. Just start it. And you can learn from there. All of the tutorials and resources I read before starting made me more afraid to start composting because I thought I’d fail. Until finally I was like “F*** it! If I do it wrong, I’ll just start over.”
The rest is history. Because you can’t really fail at compost. The organic material will do it’s thing and breakdown over time. Nature will take it’s course.
What Is Composting?
Composting is the process of breaking down organic materials such as leaves, food scraps, and compostable items (more things than you think) into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
The process is done by microorganisms that break down the materials into a rich, dark, and crumbly substance called compost. Composting requires a balance of nitrogen-rich materials (such as food scraps) and carbon-rich materials (such as leaves and straw) to create the ideal environment for the microorganisms to thrive.
But, again, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Ever leave food in your fridge too long and see the white fuzzy stuff start to grow on it?? Yeah, those are microorganisms.
Benefits of Composting
I could talk for days on the benefits of composting. The benefits of compost include reducing your household waste, improving soil health, and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Composting also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organic waste from landfills, where it would otherwise decompose and release harmful methane gas into the atmosphere. And it could be argued that by helping your plants thrive, you’re creating more mini-carbon capturing plants. Additionally, composting can help conserve water by improving soil structure and water-holding capacity.
Composting Materials
To create the IDEAL compost pile, you should strive for the right mix of materials. The ideal compost pile should have a balance of nitrogen-rich materials (such as food scraps and grass clippings) and carbon-rich materials (such as shredded cardboard, leaves and straw).
It’s important to note that not all materials are easily composted. Avoid using meat, dairy, and oily foods, when you can, since they can attract pests and slow down the composting process.
Additionally, avoid using materials that have been treated with chemicals, as they can harm the microorganisms in your compost pile.
The way we tackle the “ratio” in our compost bins is by creating lasagna layers. We create a layer of food waste and/or fresh garden waste and then cover it with dry compostables like shredded cardboard or dried garden materials or leaves. No ratios. No complicated numbers.
Setting Up Your Compost Pile
Before you start composting though, you need to set up your compost pile. This can be as big or as little as you have space and/or need for. Let’s cover the basics of setting up your compost pile, including choosing a location, compost bin options, and compost pile layering.
Choosing a Location
The first step in setting up your compost pile is choosing a location. You’ll want to find a spot in your backyard that’s convenient and easy to access.
Somewhere that isn’t too far from your kitchen is ideal as that’s where a lot of your food waste will come from. And the further it is from that door, the less likely you are to carry out your kitchen scraps – especially when it is snowing. When looking for the perfect spot, try to find a spot that gets plenty of sunlight and is well-drained.
You’ll also want to choose a spot that’s away from your house and any areas where people gather or you eat. Your compost bin is rotting food after all. And while we try to keep it perfect with the correct ingredients, keeping it away from the “living areas” will ensure any bugs or pests attracted to your bins will be away from where you are hanging out.
Compost Bin Options
Once you’ve chosen a location for your compost pile, you’ll need to decide how to contain your compost pile. You could just pile it up, but compost bins can help contain your compost pile and make it easier to manage. There are many different types of compost bins available, from simple wire mesh and pallet-style bins, to plastic containers meant to help you rotate and contain your food waste, to more elaborate wooden bins. Choose a compost bin that fits your needs and budget.
We just upgraded ours from a recycled wood and wire mesh bin to a BEAUTIFUL wooden three-bay system; it’s not completely finished yet, but you can check out the Naked Sustainability Podcast for more details! But our recycled bin worked for several years before our adventure-pup started getting into it and we had to design our new system so she couldn’t get into it.
Compost Pile Layering
Now that you’ve chosen a location and a compost bin (if you’re using one), it’s time to start layering your compost pile. Compost piles need a mix of “greens” (nitrogen-rich materials) and “browns” (carbon-rich materials) to break down properly. Greens are typically wet, or moist and include things like grass clippings, vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds. Browns are normally there to help absorb some of the excess moisture (are considered dry) and include things like leaves, straw, and wood chips.
The simplest way to compost is to throw on some DRY items for every WET item you put in (I’ll never remember green vs. brown). But if you’re throwing in food waste, you can see there is a fair bit of moisture in your carrot peels, your green pepper cores, and your squishy potatoes. Once you put any kind of wet ingredients in, just make a habit of adding dry ingredients to balance them out (dried leaves, cardboard, etc).
Remember composting takes a little bit of time, so just be patient and let nature take care of your pile. By following these tips for setting up your compost pile, you’ll be on your way to creating nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
Maintaining Your Compost
Maintaining the PERFECT compost can be a bit tricky, so I’m 100% not encouraging that…unless it’s what you want. Composting best practice is to layer your compost pile, start with a layer of browns (DRY ingredients) on the bottom, followed by a layer of greens (WET ingredients). Continue layering browns and greens until your compost pile is about 3 feet high. Be sure to water your compost pile regularly to keep it moist, but not too wet. You’ll also want to turn your compost pile every few weeks to help aerate it and speed up the composting process.
Honestly though, we let the rain and our wet kitchen scraps add the moisture to our pile. We don’t water it. We don’t turn it (oh good god, that’s a lot of work – never again, I swear). We’re a set it and forget it kind of compost creators. Like I said before, it’s really hard to go wrong.
If you want to skip the technical stuff for now, continue reading here.
Balancing Greens and Browns
One of the most important things to keep in mind when maintaining your compost is to balance the ratio of greens and browns. Greens are nitrogen-rich materials such as fruit scraps, grass clippings, and coffee grounds. Browns are carbon-rich materials such as dry leaves, straw, and paper or cardboard. You should aim for a ratio of about 2:1 browns to greens. This will help your compost break down more quickly and efficiently.
Moisture and Aeration
Another key factor in maintaining your compost is moisture and aeration. Your compost should be moist, but not too wet. You can use a rain barrel, watering can, or hose to keep the compost pile as moist as a wrung-out sponge. Remember that when you add greens, you are also adding water since greens have a high moisture content. To keep the microorganisms in your compost bin healthy, oxygen must be present. Air may only reach the top and sides of the compost pile, but you can use a composting aerator or push 1-2 foot lengths of hollow pipe into it to add air to the interior of the pile.
We rarely aerate our compost pile (again, it’s extra work that we just don’t have the time to make a priority). But we do throw a lot of different sized pieces into our bin. So we have small ones to break down faster, but the larger pieces (of food waste, cardboard, dried onion stalks) help to add to the airflow and oxygen needs of our pile, without too much effort on our part.
Temperature and Turning
The temperature of your compost is also important. Your compost should be warm, but not too hot. A temperature range of 120-150°F is ideal for composting; it lets the microorganisms thrive without killing them.You can use a compost thermometer to monitor the temperature of your compost. Turning your compost is also important to help it break down more quickly. You should turn your compost every 2-3 weeks to ensure that all of the materials are being broken down evenly.
Troubleshooting and Usage
Okay, so you’re a newbie gardener and simultaneously figuring out your composting systems and microbial decomposition. Don’t worry, I’ve 100% got your back. Basically, all you need to know is that composting is just a fancy word for making your own soil out of leftover plant materials and plant matter from your yard.
There are no ratios, or fancy mathematic equations. There definitely aren’t any rules. It’s experimentation. Try something. It either works, or it doesn’t. You’ll learn and know for next time.
Composting is like recycling, but for your garden. If your compost is finished, it should look crumbly and earthy-smelling. A handful of compost should make you want to kiss the dirt, or will smell just like you imagine it would. Once your compost is ready, you can use it in your garden or landscape to help plant growth and improve your soil. Keep in mind that diseased plants or material being composted should not be added to your compost pile unless you know (for sure) that your pile gets hot enough. This avoids spreading any potential issues.
If your hot pile isn’t heating up like it should, you might need to adjust the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in your compost mix. The local extension service can give you some good advice on alternative composting methods to try out. And don’t forget to turn your pile regularly to keep it aerobic and hasten the breakdown process. Before you know it, you’ll have some organic soil to be proud of, all thanks to a little help from those friendly micro-organisms doing their thing in your backyard.
Common Composting Problems
Composting is a simple process, but sometimes things can go wrong. If your compost pile is smelly, it might be too wet or not getting enough air. To fix this, try adding more dry materials like leaves or shredded paper, or turning the pile more often. If pests like rats or flies are attracted to your compost, make sure to bury food scraps deep in the pile (by layering in some dry, brown waste) and try to avoid adding meat or dairy products.
Another common problem is having finished compost that is not quite ready to use. If this is the case, you can sift out any larger pieces and return them to the pile to finish breaking down. Alternatively, you can use the partially finished compost as mulch around your plants.
Harvesting Your Compost
When your compost is ready to use, you’ll want to harvest it properly. Start by stopping adding new materials to the pile for a few weeks before you plan to harvest. Then, use a garden fork or shovel to turn the pile and remove any large pieces. You can then sift the compost through a screen to remove any remaining large pieces.
But, as lazy gardeners, we literally just took it from our compost bin to our garden and spread it out. The soil looked so pretty and perfect. We planted potatoes in the newly composted areas, so I’ll be sure to share what our growth and harvest looks like.
Using Compost in Your Garden
Compost is a nutrient-rich fertilizer that is great for your garden. You can use it to improve soil structure, retain moisture, and provide nutrients to your plants. Spread a layer of compost over your garden beds and work it into the soil before planting. You can also use compost as a top dressing around established plants to provide a slow-release source of nutrients.
In addition to using compost in your garden, you can also use it as mulch around your plants. Mulching helps retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds. Spread a layer of compost around your plants, taking care not to cover the stems or leaves and they have new food to last them the season!
Frequently Asked Questions about Composting
What Materials can I Compost?
You can compost fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, yard waste, and other organic, non-animal materials.
If you throw in something else that you’re not sure of (or by accident), you’ll soon figure out if it’s compostable…I promise.
What materials should I avoid composting?
Avoid composting meat, dairy, fats, oils, diseased plants, and non-biodegradable materials to prevent odors and pests.
Again, totally, okay if something gets in there that you aren’t sure of. As with gardening, or any other skill you learn as adult….this is just one big, fun experiment.
How do I start a compost pile?
Begin by selecting a dry, slightly shady spot near a water source and layering wet and dry organic materials, starting with coarse brown material at the bottom for drainage.
We like a spot away from the house, but not extremely hard to get to (rain, snow, or shine, you know?).
Where should I locate my compost bin?
Place your compost bin in a convenient, level location with good drainage and partial shade.
How often should I turn my compost pile?
For ideal compost, turn your compost pile every few weeks to aerate it and speed up the composting process.
How do I know when my compost is ready to use?
You compost is ready when it’s dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell, typically after a few months.
Why is my compost pile smelling bad?
A bad smell usually indicates a lack of aeration, too much moisture, or an imbalance between green and brown materials.
Simply look at it and you’ll probably be able to see what it needs. Looking dry? Give it more water. Looking wet? Give it more dry material (shredded cardboard is perfect here).
How do I maintain the right balance of greens and browns in my compost?
Aim for a mix of approximately 1 part green materials to 2-3 parts brown materials by volume.
If you’re just starting, just do the layers. 1 LAYER WET to 1 LAYER DRY material and you’ll be golden!
Can I compost in the winter?
Yes, you can compost in the winter, but decomposition will slow down; insulating your pile can help maintain activity.
We just let our piles do their thing, just like a forest floor or natural environment – it will heat up with the temperatures and cool back down as they dip. It’s completely fine.
How can I keep pests away from my compost pile?
Keep pests away by covering your compost, avoiding meat and dairy, and maintaining a proper balance of materials.
Certain bin styles are more pest-proof than others, but work with what you have for now.
WHEN should I start Composting?
NOW. I swear, it’s not as complicated as all the science, YouTube videos, Blog Posts (this one included), or Pinterest pins make it out to be.
Throw some rotten food waste in the corner of your yard (a bin or containment system is probably advised)…and you’ll be absolutely amazed at the results.
Have more questions?
Let’s have a conversation. Compost trial and error is kinda my thing!