Make Compost Easily At Home With These Essential Ways

Making compost is easy and it requires only a few essentials. Find a suitable location with good drainage and sunlight for your compost pile or bin. Collect organic materials like kitchen scraps, yard waste, and shredded paper or cardboard. Layer these materials in your compost container, ensuring a balance of nitrogen-rich “greens” and carbon-rich “browns.”

Turn the compost regularly to aerate it and maintain moisture levels. With time and attention, your compost will break down into nutrient-rich soil that can enhance the health of your garden plants. Here are some important factors to consider before getting started on the composting journey:

Location

The location you choose for composting depends on the method and scale you’re using. For small-scale composting, you can pick an elevated shaded spot or use a thatched shed, or even dig a pit in a shaded area that’s about 2 feet deep, 3 feet wide, and any length. The structure should be at least 5 feet wide, deep, and tall for fast decomposition.

If you’re working with a smaller space, you can do composting at home in your backyard, using a pile or a small bin. Another option is vermicomposting with worms. Plastic bag composting is also simple, using 30 to 40-gallon bags with a thickness of at least 3 ml. Choose a well-drained, sunny spot in your yard. You can start a pile directly on the ground or use a compost bin.

Bins and Composters

Bins and composters are essential tools for composting as they provide containment for your composting materials, help regulate moisture and airflow, and facilitate the decomposition process. Here are some key types of bins and composters:

• Compost Bins: These are containers specifically designed for composting. They come in various shapes and sizes, including plastic bins, wooden bins, wire bins, and stackable bins. Some have lids to help retain moisture and heat, while others have open tops for easy access. Choose a bin that suits your space and composting needs.
• Tumblers: Compost tumblers are cylindrical containers that can be rotated to mix and aerate the composting materials. They are often mounted on a frame or stand, allowing for easy turning without the need to manually stir the compost pile. Tumblers are ideal for small- to medium-scale composting and can accelerate the decomposition process.
• Worm Bins (Vermicomposters): Worm bins, also known as vermicomposters, use worms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. These bins are typically shallow trays or boxes with perforated bottoms to allow for drainage and airflow. Vermicomposting is well-suited for indoor or small-space composting and is particularly efficient at processing kitchen scraps.
• DIY Options: If you’re on a budget or prefer a homemade solution, you can create your compost bin using repurposed materials such as wooden pallets, wire mesh, or plastic storage containers. DIY bins can be customized to fit your space and composting goals.

Ingredients

To make good compost, you need a mix of “browns” and “greens,” which are organic materials with different amounts of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N).

1. Brown Materials

Brown materials provide carbon, which fuels the microbes in the compost pile. They also add structure and aeration, preventing the pile from becoming compacted and anaerobic. Some examples include:

• Dry leaves
• Pine needles
• Twigs, chipped tree branches/bark
• Straw or hay
• Sawdust
• Cardboard (no wax coating)
• Wood ash
• Woody prunings
• Rodent bedding
• Old straw & hay
• Paper-based egg boxes

Green Materials

These materials provide nitrogen, which is essential for the growth and activity of microorganisms. They also add moisture and nutrients. Some examples are:

• Fresh grass clippings
• Coffee grounds
• Teabags
• Vegetable and fruit scraps
• Trimmings from perennial and annual plants
• Annual weeds (that haven’t gone to seed)
• Kitchen waste (e.g., eggshells, onion skins)
• Horse, cow, and chicken manure
• Seaweed
• Hair and pet fur clippings
• Old flowers and prunings

For a successful compost mix, aim for a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio of browns to greens. Adjust the mix if needed: add more greens if it’s not heating up, or more browns if it smells bad. Avoid adding meat, dairy, or pet waste. Make sure your compost pile has enough air, and moisture, and stays at the right temperature. Following these guidelines will help you create compost that’s full of nutrients for your garden.

Tools

The tools you’ll need for starting composting vary depending on how you’re composting and how much you’re doing. Here are some basic ones:

• Compost Bin or Pile: Container or designated area for composting.
• Pitchfork or Compost Turner: To aerate and turn the compost.
• Shovel or Garden Fork: for adding materials to the compost and harvesting the finished compost.
• Watering Can or Hose: To keep the compost pile moist.
• Kitchen Scrap Container: For collecting food scraps indoors before adding them to the compost.
• Thermometer (optional): To monitor the temperature of the compost pile for optimal decomposition.

These tools will help you effectively manage your composting process and produce nutrient-rich compost for your garden.

Building your compost pile is the next crucial step after selecting the location and gathering other essentials. This process involves layering and mixing organic materials to create an environment conducive to decomposition and microbial activity.

The importance of proper compost piling cannot be overstated as it directly impacts the quality and effectiveness of the composting process.  Here are the continued steps for making compost:

Layering Technique

Layering is a classic way to build a compost pile. You simply add different types of organic stuff in layers, switching between wet and dry materials in a certain order. By layering a balanced mix of browns and greens, you create the ideal conditions for microbial organisms to thrive and break down organic matter. This decomposition process generates heat, which accelerates the breakdown of materials and kills pathogens and weed seeds.

Here’s the importance of layering browns and greens for proper aeration and decomposition:

• Aeration: Alternating layers of green and brown materials create air gaps, allowing oxygen to circulate within the compost pile. This promotes aerobic decomposition, where beneficial microorganisms break down organic matter efficiently.
• Moisture Regulation: Green waste tends to be moist and breaks down quickly, potentially causing compaction. Adding brown materials helps regulate moisture levels, preventing the pile from becoming too wet and providing a diverse environment for microorganisms.
• Uniform Decomposition: Layering ensures even breakdown of materials, fostering beneficial microbe proliferation and aiding in pathogen and weed seed elimination.

Moisture Maintenance

Moisture is crucial for the microorganisms that turn organic matter into compost. If it’s too dry, decomposition slows down or stops. But if it’s too wet, the pile can smell bad and decompose slowly because there’s not enough oxygen. The ideal moisture level for a compost pile is between 40-60%.

Here are some techniques for checking and adjusting moisture levels:

• Squeeze Test: Grab a handful of compost and squeeze it. If it crumbles, it’s too dry. If water drips out, it’s too wet. If it feels like a wrung-out sponge, it’s perfect.
• Watering: If it’s too dry, water the pile from the top down and give it a good turn to spread the moisture evenly.
• Adding Dry Materials: If it’s too wet, mix in dry materials like shredded leaves or straw to absorb excess moisture and improve airflow.
• Turning: Regularly turn the pile to distribute moisture evenly and promote decomposition.
• Monitoring: Check the moisture level regularly and cover the pile with a tarp if it’s exposed to rain to prevent it from getting too wet.

Turning Routine

Turning your compost regularly is crucial for maintaining optimal conditions for aeration and accelerating the decomposition process. Turning compost introduces oxygen, which is vital for aerobic decomposition by bacteria. Without enough oxygen, it turns anaerobic, slowing decomposition and causing bad smells. Turning also spreads moisture and nutrients, boosting microbial activity, ensuring all parts decompose evenly, and speeding up the process.

Aim to turn your compost pile every 1-2 weeks, or whenever the internal temperature drops below 110°F (43°C). Generally, you can also turn active decomposing materials on every three to four days. More frequent turning can accelerate decomposition, but be mindful not to disturb the pile excessively, as this can disrupt microbial activity.

Here are some techniques for turning your compost pile:

• Pitchfork or Shovel: For stationary bins, use a pitchfork or shovel to turn the pile. Mix materials from the center to the outside and vice versa, distributing moisture and heat for faster decomposition.
• Compost Tumbler: With a compost tumbler, simply rotate the barrel regularly to mix the compost and introduce air. Tumblers are easy to turn, so you can do several rotations as needed.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Compost can sometimes encounter problems, but with proper management, many of these issues can be avoided or resolved. Common problems include odors, slow decomposition, and pest infestations.

• Odors: Bad smells mean there’s not enough oxygen or too much moisture. To fix it, turn the pile and add bulk, like wood chips, for air. An ammonia smell means too much nitrogen; add hay or leaves. If it smells rotten, it’s likely anaerobic; turn it more often.
• Slow Decomposition: If compost isn’t breaking down fast, it lacks moisture, nitrogen, oxygen, or microbes. Keep it moist but not soaked, add nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings, and turn it frequently for oxygen.
• Pests: Fruit flies or gnats mean too much moisture or meat/fatty foods. Keep the pile moist but not wet, avoid these materials, and cover the pile to keep pests away.

Advanced composting techniques and variations provide options for people with different needs and preferences. Anyone interested in composting can try these methods, though some may find them simple while others might see them as more complex. Here are some advanced composting techniques and variations:

1. Hot Composting

Hot composting is a method that accelerates the decomposition process by raising the internal temperature of the compost pile, typically between 130°F and 160°F (55°C and 71°C). Here are the benefits and requirements of hot composting:

Benefits Of Hot Composting:

• Quick decomposition: This method speeds up breakdown, yielding finished compost in 3–4 weeks.
• Pathogen elimination: High temperatures kill harmful pathogens and weed seeds.
• Nutrient-rich compost: Retains more nutrients for healthier plants.

Requirements For Hot Composting:

• Frequent Turning: Regularly check and maintain temperatures between 130°F and 160°F (55°C and 71°C). Turn the compost pile frequently, ideally every 2 to 3 days, to aerate the materials and distribute heat evenly. Turning promotes oxygenation, accelerates decomposition, and helps regulate temperature.
• Thermometer Monitoring: Regularly monitor the internal temperature of the compost pile using a compost thermometer. Ensure that the temperature reaches and maintains the desired range (130°F to 160°F or 55°C to 71°C) for effective decomposition and pathogen elimination.

2. Bokashi Composting

Bokashi composting is a fermentation-based method ideal for small spaces that yields faster results compared to traditional composting. Unlike traditional composting, which relies on aerobic (oxygen-requiring) microorganisms, bokashi composting utilizes anaerobic microbes that thrive in an oxygen-limited environment.

It involves fermenting organic waste using a specialized bran made of bran, molasses, and helpful microorganisms (EMs). These microorganisms, a mix of good bacteria and fungi, ferment the organic waste in the compost pile.

This method does not require turning since the fermentation process takes place in an airtight container, so there is no need to mix or turn the organic matter.

To start bokashi composting, gather a bokashi bucket, bokashi bran, and organic waste. Follow these steps:

• Put organic waste in the bokashi bucket, starting with a layer of bokashi bran at the bottom.
• Sprinkle bokashi bran on each layer of waste.
• When the bucket is full, seal it tightly and let it sit for two weeks.
• During fermentation, drain the liquid that collects at the bottom. Dilute it to use as fertilizer.
• After two weeks, the waste turns into nutrient-rich compost. Bury it in soil or add it to a regular compost pile.

3. Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting, also known as worm composting, is a method of composting that utilizes worms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. The setup involves a bin filled with bedding material, such as shredded newspaper or cardboard, along with red worms, specifically Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei. These worms feed on the organic waste, digesting it and turning it into compost known as vermicompost or worm castings.

The benefits of vermicomposting include:

• Producing high-quality compost rich in nutrients, beneficial microorganisms, and enzymes.
• Reducing the volume of organic waste sent to landfills, contributing to waste reduction efforts.
• Enhancing soil fertility and structure when added to gardens or potted plants.

Setting up a vermicomposting system involves placing bedding material and worms in a suitable container with adequate ventilation and moisture control. The container should be kept in a cool, dark location to prevent the worms from drying out or overheating. Maintenance includes adding food scraps regularly, avoiding acidic or oily foods, and periodically harvesting the finished compost by separating it from the worms and bedding material.

4. Kitchen Composting

Composting food scraps directly in your kitchen using countertop containers or worm bins is a convenient and eco-friendly way to reduce waste. Here are some tips and tricks to make the process easier and more effective:

• Choose the Right Container
• Separate Greens and Browns
• Chop Food Scraps
• Avoid Meat and Dairy
• Keep it Moist but Not Wet
• Add Worms to Your Kitchen
• Provide Proper Ventilation
• Empty Regularly

After making your own compost, the last step is harvesting and using it. When your compost is finished, you can collect it by taking it from the bottom of the pile or bin.

You can use a garden fork or shovel for this, or a compost screen to sift out any big pieces that haven’t fully broken down. Once collected, use the compost in many ways, like improving soil, as mulch, or in potting mixtures. 

Recognizing Finished Compost

When compost matures, you can tell by changes in texture, color, and smell. It becomes darker, and the colors stay the same. The smell is less strong and often smells like soil. Mature compost is dark brown or black with an earthy smell.

It’s softer than less mature compost and crumbles easily. Mature compost is stable with fewer microbes. It shouldn’t smell bad, which can happen if composting isn’t done with enough air. Also, mature compost shouldn’t harm plants and should have a good pH level.

Harvesting and Screening

To collect your compost and remove any big pieces, you can use these methods:

• Compost Screen or Sieve: Use a screen or sieve to separate bigger, unfinished bits from the compost. Gently shake or move the screen to let the smaller, finished compost fall through while keeping the larger pieces on top.
• Small Shovel: Use a small shovel to gather the compost from the collection area.
• L-shaped Iron Rod: If the compost is stuck due to compaction, use an L-shaped iron rod to loosen it and pull it out.
• Check Moisture: Make sure the compost isn’t too wet, which can cause issues. If it is, drain excess water regularly.
• Layering and Turning: Properly layering and turning the compost pile helps it decompose and reduces the number of big, unfinished materials in the final product.

By using these methods, you can efficiently collect your compost and remove any remaining big pieces.

Using Compost in Your Garden

Incorporating compost into soil is essential for enriching its fertility and structure, promoting healthy plant growth. Here’s how to do it effectively, highlighting different use cases:

Planting Beds

Before planting new beds, spread a layer of compost (about 2–3 inches deep) evenly over the turned soil surface. Use a rake or garden fork to mix the compost thoroughly into the top 6–8 inches of soil. This ensures that the nutrients from the compost are well distributed and readily available to plants as they grow. For existing beds, apply compost as a top dressing around the base of plants or along the rows

Amending Existing Soil

This method is crucial if your garden soil is lacking in organic matter or nutrients. Incorporate compost by spreading a layer (1-2 inches deep) evenly over the soil surface and gently mixing it into the top 4-6 inches of soil. This helps improve soil fertility, water retention, and drainage.

For potted plants or container gardens, mix compost with potting soil at a ratio of 1:1 or add a layer of compost to the top of the container.

Additional Applications

Compost has various uses beyond soil enrichment:

• Mulch: Spread compost around plants to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
• Weed Suppression: Apply compost as a thick layer to smother weed growth and prevent weed seeds from germinating.
• Erosion Control: Use compost to stabilize slopes, reduce soil erosion, and promote vegetation growth in erosion-prone areas.
• Compost Tea: Brew compost tea to create a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer for foliar spraying or soil drenching to enhance plant health.

These uses demonstrate the versatility of compost as a valuable resource for gardeners, landscapers, and farmers.

Composting offers a multitude of environmental and gardening benefits. It reduces the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and landfill pollution.

Recycling organic matter into nutrient-rich compost enriches soil fertility, enhances soil structure, and promotes healthy plant growth. Compost retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, making it an eco-friendly and sustainable gardening practice. Additionally, composting supports biodiversity, improves air and water quality, and conserves resources, contributing to a healthier planet for current and future generations.

Start composting today with these actionable tips:

• Check if you have space for a compost bin or tumbler.
• Gather what you need for composting, like a bin, compost starter, and brown-green materials.
• Choose a composting method that fits your lifestyle and space.
• Layer your compost pile properly with both carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials.
• Keep an eye on your compost pile’s moisture, temperature, and how it’s coming along.
• Stick with it—composting takes time, and it might be a few months before your compost is ready.
• Spread the word about composting to others you know.
• Try different composting systems and techniques to see what works best for you.

Begin composting now and join the global sustainability movement. With some dedication, you can make valuable compost to help your garden, yard, and community thrive. Enjoy composting.