How to Compost

How to Compost: A Beginner's Guide

Want to help the planet and have an amazing garden? Composting is the answer! It's super easy – you turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into awesome fertilizer. Think of it as making "black gold" for your plants. This guide will show you how, whether you're a total newbie or a seasoned composter.

Choosing Your Composting Method

There are a few ways to compost. The best one depends on your space and how much stuff you need to compost. Here are a few options:

• Backyard Compost Bin: This is the classic way. You need some yard space. Bins come in all shapes and sizes. Great for lots of compostable material.
• Compost Tumbler: This rotating bin makes turning the compost a breeze. Perfect if you're short on space or want something easy.
• Worm Composting (Vermicomposting): Worms do the work! You can do this indoors in a bin. It makes amazing compost called vermicast – ideal for potting plants.
• Bokashi Composting: This method uses microbes to ferment scraps. It works well in apartments because it doesn't smell. The compost can be buried in your garden or added to a regular compost pile.

The Brown and Green Balance: It's All About the Ratio

For successful composting, you need a mix of "brown" and "green" materials. Think of it like a recipe. Browns are carbon-rich, and greens are nitrogen-rich. Aim for a roughly equal amount of each.

Green Materials (Nitrogen-rich):

• Grass clippings
• Fruit and veggie scraps
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Tea bags (remove staples!)
• Flower trimmings
• Food scraps (cooked or raw)

Brown Materials (Carbon-rich):

• Dried leaves
• Shredded paper or cardboard (uncoated)
• Small twigs and branches
• Straw
• Wood chips

Don't Compost These:

• Meat, bones, and dairy – they attract pests and smell bad.
• Oils and grease
• Diseased plants – they can spread disease.
• Pet waste – it can have harmful stuff.
• Treated wood – it has chemicals.
• Lots of citrus peels – they take forever to break down.

Building Your Compost Pile or Bin

If you're using a bin, put it somewhere with good drainage. For a pile, choose a shady spot away from buildings. Here's how to build it:

1. Layer it up: Alternate layers of brown and green materials. Keep it even.
2. Add water: The pile should be damp, like a wrung-out sponge.
3. Turn it: Turning adds oxygen, speeding things up. Do this every 1-2 weeks.

Keeping Your Compost Happy

Composting needs a little attention. Here's what to watch out for:

• Moisture: Keep it damp, but not soggy.
• Aeration: Turn it regularly for good air flow.
• Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio: Keep an eye on this and adjust as needed.
• Pests and weeds: Cover the pile and remove any weeds before adding them.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes things go wrong. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:

• Slow decomposition? Check moisture, turn it more, and adjust the brown/green ratio.
• Bad smells? It's probably too wet or airless. Turn it more often and add more brown materials.
• Pests? Cover the pile.
• Too wet or dry? Adjust watering and add more browns if it's too wet.

Harvest Time!

Your compost is ready when it's dark brown, crumbly, and smells earthy. This can take months or even a year. Sift out any large pieces and add them back to the pile. Your garden will love this compost!

Why Compost? The Benefits

Composting is good for the planet and your garden:

• Less landfill waste: Keeps organic materials out of landfills.
• Better soil: Improves soil structure and drainage.
• Nutrients for plants: A natural source of nutrients.
• Less need for chemicals: A more sustainable way to garden.
• Better garden: Healthier soil means healthier plants.

Composting is a rewarding experience. You'll be helping the environment and growing amazing plants. Give it a try!

Learn More

Want to know more? Check out these resources:

• Your local gardening center or extension office
• Online composting groups
• Books and articles on composting

Happy composting!