Steps for Backyard Composting: Turning Waste into Garden Gold
Composting Steps
Backyard composting is not only an environmentally friendly way to reduce waste but also a fantastic method to enrich your garden soil naturally. By creating your own compost, you can transform kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials into nutrient-rich, crumbly soil conditioner that your plants will love. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essential steps for successful backyard composting, helping you get started on your journey to sustainable gardening.
Step 1: Choose a Compost Bin or Pile Location
The first step in starting your backyard composting adventure is selecting the right location for your compost pile or bin. Here are some considerations:
- Convenience: Place your composting setup in a convenient spot, ideally near your kitchen for easy access to food scraps.
- Sunlight: While your compost pile doesn’t need direct sunlight, it should receive some indirect sunlight during the day.
- Drainage: Ensure good drainage to prevent your compost from becoming waterlogged.
- Ventilation: Adequate airflow is essential for composting. Make sure there’s enough space for air to circulate.
Step 2: Gather Compostable Materials
Successful composting relies on the right mix of materials. There are two main categories:
- Greens (Nitrogen-Rich Materials): These include kitchen scraps (fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells), fresh yard waste (grass clippings), and green leaves. Greens provide nitrogen, which aids in decomposition.
- Browns (Carbon-Rich Materials): Browns consist of dry leaves, straw, shredded newspaper, cardboard, and small twigs. They provide carbon, which helps balance the compost and provides structure.
Here is a good list of what is and what is not compostable.
| What You Can Compost at Home | What to Avoid Composting at Home |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen-Rich Material (“Greens”) | Meat, fish and bones |
| Food and vegetable scraps | Cheese and dairy products |
| Most grass clippings and yard trim | Pet waste and cat litter |
| Coffee grounds and paper filters | Produce stickers |
| Paper tea bags (no staples) | Fats, oils and greases |
| Eggshells (crushed) | Glossy paper |
| Treated or painted wood | |
| Carbon-Rich Materials (“Browns”) | Aggressive weeds/weeds with seeds |
| Dry leaves | Diseased and pest-infested plants |
| Plant stalks and twigs | Compostable food service ware and compostable bags* |
| Shredded paper (non-glossy, not colored) and shredded brown bags | Cooked food (small amounts are fine) |
| Shredded cardboard (no wax coating, tape, or glue) | Herbicide treated plants |
| Untreated wood chips | Dryer lint |
Step 3: Layer and Mix Materials
For efficient composting, layer your green and brown materials in your compost pile or bin. Aim for a roughly 2:1 ratio of browns to greens. This balance ensures proper decomposition and helps prevent odors and pests.
Regularly turn or mix your compost pile to introduce oxygen, which is crucial for decomposition. This helps speed up the process and prevents the pile from becoming compacted.
Step 4: Maintain Moisture Levels
Your compost pile should feel as damp as a wrung-out sponge. If it gets too dry, decomposition slows down. Conversely, if it becomes too wet, it may become smelly and anaerobic.
Water your compost pile as needed to maintain the right moisture level. Use a hose or watering can to moisten the materials, but avoid saturating them.
Step 5: Be Patient
Composting is not an instant process. Depending on factors like temperature, pile size, and materials used, it can take several months to a year for your compost to fully mature.
Step 6: Harvest Your Compost
When your compost is dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling, it’s ready to use. This can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more, depending on various factors.
Use your finished compost as a soil conditioner, potting mix ingredient, or mulch to nurture your garden and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.
