Why Composting Is Important & How to Do It

Composting transforms your kitchen scraps & yard waste into rich soil that nourishes your plants and reduces waste. Starting a compost pile can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it becomes a simple and rewarding habit! This guide offers clear, practical tips to help you build a self-sustaining compost system that benefits your garden, the environment, and your home. Check it out below: These posts may contain sponsored or affiliate content. But please note- I never recommend any method, item, company, or concept unless I believe in it or I've tried/used it myself. Use your own discernment, use my work as a guide, and choose what works for you and your lifestyle.

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Understanding Composting Basics

Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic materials into nutrient-rich soil. Microorganisms (like bacteria and fungi), along with insects and worms, do most of the work so that food scraps, leaves, and other biodegradable materials turn into a dark, crumbly substance that's full of nutrients, improves soil structure, and improves the soil's fertility.

Composting is crucial to a self-sustaining garden and home.

It reduces household waste, improves plant growth (without buying mass-produced fertilizer), it saves money over time, it supports healthier soil and ecosystems, and it’s lowkey satisfying.

What You Can Compost

1. Green Materials (these provide nitrogen):

   1. Fruit & vegetable scraps

   2. Coffee grounds

   3. Grass clippings

   4. Garden waste

      
      

2. Brown Materials (these supply carbon):

   1. Dry leaves

   2. Straw

   3. Cardboard

   4. Paper

   5. Wood chips

      
      

3. Avoid These Materials (as they can attract pests or cause odors):

   1. Meat

   2. Dairy

   3. Oils

   4. Diseased plants

   5. Pet waste

Balancing green and brown materials is key.

Aim for a 3:1 ratio of dry brown:wet green organic material to keep your compost healthy & odorless!

Choosing the Right Composting Method

Below are handful of composting methods you can choose based on the space, time, and effort you have available to you.

Personal Note: You'll notice I don't have those tumbler compost bins listed- I legitimately hate them LOL. They lack proper air flow & natural moisture breakdown, plus you're breaking down material in black plastic that sits in the sun all day. A personal ick for me, but you do you.

Minimizing microplastics is always my schtick!

1. Backyard Composting
   

A simple bin or pile in your yard is the most common method. It requires turning the pile every few weeks to aerate & moisten the compost and speed up decomposition.

All you do is add materials > churn occasionally > let it break down

2. Worm Composting (Vermiculture)

Vermiculture, or using worms to break down scraps, is great for small / confined spaces. Worm bins produce nutrient-rich castings but need careful temperature and moisture control.

Oftentimes, you can just build out a wooden garden bed with the bottom exposed to the earth and the worms will come up and do their thing!

3. Trench Composting

Digging a hole in the garden and burying scraps directly is a low-effort option. It enriches soil, but takes longer to break down, so this isn't my favored method as you'd have to dig up your compost later.

4. Apartment Living

Luckily for those living in apartments / townhomes, there may be a local compost nonprofit or organization where you can drop off and pick up compost!

Setting Up Your Compost Pile

Choose a spot with good drainage and partial shade to maintain moisture without overheating. A flat, level surface is what you want!

1. Layering Materials

Start with a layer of coarse brown materials like soft twigs to improve airflow at the bottom. Avoid large logs, rocks, and heavy branches as these take quite a long time to decompose and ultimately just take up room in your pile.

Alternate layers of green and brown materials, keeping the pile moist but not soggy.

2. Size and Shape

   
   

Aim for a pile that is an even ratio in size- about 3ft wide and 3ft tall is a great place to start. This size will retain heat well, which speeds up decomposition!

Maintaining Your Compost

1. Turning the Pile

Aeration is essential. Turn your compost every 1 -2 weeks with a pitchfork or shovel to introduce oxygen. This prevents bad smells, flips the material thats not broken up yet, and helps microbes thrive.

I highly recommend having a blank space directly next to your pile where you can pitchfork the pile into that space, moving it back and forth every few weeks to flip your pile and promote breakdown.

2. Monitoring Moisture

The pile should feel like a damp sponge. Too dry slows decomposition; too wet causes odors. Add water by spraying with a hose, if your pile is exposed to the sky be sure to monitor the water/rain exposure, and add dry materials when necessary.

3. Temperature Checks

A healthy compost pile naturally heats up to 130–160°F (54–71°C) as it breaks down the contents in the pile. Although I've never done this, I've seen other farmers use a compost thermometer to check. Typically this step isn't necessary unless you're more on the commercial side of agriculture and need to monitor the temp for consistencies sake.

High temperatures kill weed seeds and pathogens!

4. Using Your Finished Compost

   
   

Your compost is ready when it looks dark, crumbly, and smells earthy (see the second photo in this article). Using your compost in your garden beds or boxes will improve water retention, soil health, support beneficial microbes, and reduce the need for chemical microplasticy fertilizers.

Use it to enrich garden beds and potted plants, mulch around trees and shrubs, or improve lawn soil by spreading a thin layer over rough patches and mixing native grass seeds into it.

Problems You May Encounter

1. Odor

   
   

Hear me on this- compost should not stink. If it smells, there's something being done incorrectly. Usually an odor is caused by too much green material, or too poor aeration. Add brown materials and turn the pile to bring your pile back to a homeostasis.

2. Slow Decomposition:

   
   

May result from dryness, cold weather, or lack of nitrogen. Keep the pile moist and add fresh green scraps to promote breakdown!

3. Pests & Animals:
   

Definitely avoid meat and oily foods. Use a closed bin or cover food scraps with brown materials- especially if you live in a climate where bears, raccoons, or other animals are prominent.

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Final Thought

This isn’t about being perfect or becoming a full homesteader overnight! Instead of throwing things away- try to reuse them.

Start simple, and adjust as you go. :)

Happy planting! Xx

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