A Beginner’s Guide to Making Your Own Compost

Composting is a simple and effective way to reduce your waste, create a nutrient-rich soil amendment, and support a healthy garden. With a little patience and effort, you can turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into a valuable resource for your plants. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

What to Compost:

• Kitchen Scraps: Fruit and vegetable peels, cores, and rinds, bread, grains, and eggshells
• Yard Waste: Leaves, grass clippings, branches, and weeds
• Paper Products: Newspaper, cardboard, paper towels, and coffee filters
• Manure: Dog, cat, or horse manure (make sure it’s free of diseases and parasites)

What Not to Compost:

• Meat, Bones, and Dairy: These can attract pests and create unpleasant odors
• Pet Waste: Dog or cat feces can contain diseases and parasites
• Diseased Plants: Infected plants can spread disease to other plants
• Weeds with Seeds: Weeds can sprout in your compost and spread to your garden

Setting Up Your Compost Bin:

• Choose a Location: Select a spot with good airflow, partial shade, and easy access
• Select a Bin: You can use a plastic bin, wooden pallets, or a wire mesh enclosure
• Add Bedding: Start with a 4-6 inch layer of brown materials (dried leaves, straw, or shredded newspaper)

The Composting Process:

1. Add Green Materials: Add a layer of green materials (kitchen scraps, grass clippings, or manure) on top of the bedding
2. Add Brown Materials: Add a layer of brown materials to balance out the green materials
3. Repeat the Layers: Continue adding layers of green and brown materials, ending with a layer of brown materials
4. Maintain Moisture: Keep the pile moist, like a damp sponge
5. Turn the Pile: Every 7-10 days, turn the pile to aerate it and speed up decomposition
6. Monitor Temperature: Check the temperature regularly, aiming for 130-140°F (54-60°C)
7. Wait: Let the composting process take 2-3 months, depending on the size of your pile and materials

Tips and Variations:

• Add Worms: Create a worm composting bin to speed up the process and create a nutrient-rich compost
• Use Bokashi: Add microorganisms to your compost to break down organic matter faster
• Make Compost Tea: Steep a bucket of compost in water to create a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer
• Add Bulking Agents: Use materials like straw or shredded newspaper to absorb excess moisture and odors
• Shredding: Shred your materials before adding them to the compost pile to increase surface area and speed up decomposition

By following these steps and tips, you can create a nutrient-rich compost to support a healthy and thriving garden. Happy composting!