Composting is one of the simplest and most rewarding things you can do for the environment. It turns kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich fertilizer — completely free — while keeping organic material out of landfills where it would produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Here is everything you need to know to start composting, even if you have never tried it before.
What Is Composting?
Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter — food scraps, leaves, grass clippings — into a rich soil amendment that benefits your garden. It is basically controlled decomposition.
The result, called finished compost or humus, looks and smells like dark, rich soil. It is full of nutrients and beneficial microorganisms that improve soil structure and help plants thrive.
What Can You Compost?
Compostable (Green materials — nitrogen rich):
– Fruit and vegetable scraps
– Coffee grounds and paper filters
– Tea bags (remove staples)
– Fresh grass clippings
– Plant trimmings
Compostable (Brown materials — carbon rich):
– Dry leaves
– Cardboard and paper (torn up)
– Paper bags and newspaper
– Straw and hay
– Wood chips and sawdust (untreated)
Avoid composting:
– Meat, fish, and bones
– Dairy products
– Oily foods
– Pet waste
– Diseased plants
– Treated wood products
The key to good compost is balance. Aim for roughly 3 parts brown (carbon) to 1 part green (nitrogen). Too much green = slimy, smelly pile. Too much brown = slow decomposition.
How to Start an Outdoor Compost Pile
Step 1: Choose your location
Pick a spot that is convenient to your kitchen, has partial shade, and good drainage. A 3×3 foot minimum size works well.
Step 2: Start with a brown layer
Begin with 4-6 inches of brown material like dry leaves or cardboard.
Step 3: Add green material
Layer 2-3 inches of green material (food scraps, fresh grass) on top.
Step 4: Keep it moist
Your pile should feel like a wrung-out sponge — moist but not dripping. Water occasionally in dry weather.
Step 5: Turn it regularly
Turning your pile every 1-2 weeks speeds up decomposition by adding oxygen. A simple garden fork works well.
Step 6: Wait and use
Hot composting can produce finished compost in 1-3 months. Passive composting takes 6-12 months but requires less effort.
Indoor Composting Options
No yard? No problem. Several excellent indoor composting options exist:
Countertop Composting Bins: Small sealed containers collect scraps in the kitchen before you transfer them to an outdoor pile or municipal composting program.
Bokashi System: A Japanese fermentation method that can process all food waste including meat and dairy. Uses an airtight bucket and special bran to ferment scraps. Fast, odor-controlled, and works in apartments.
Worm Bin (Vermicomposting): Red wiggler worms process food scraps into incredibly rich worm castings. Can be kept under a sink or in a closet. Completely odor-free when managed correctly.
How to Use Finished Compost
Finished compost is dark, crumbly, and smells earthy — not like garbage. Use it by:
– Mixing into garden beds before planting (2-4 inch layer)
– Adding to potting mix for containers (20-30% compost)
– Using as a mulch around plants and trees
– Top-dressing lawns for natural fertilization
The Bottom Line
Composting is a small act with outsized impact. It reduces landfill waste, improves your garden, and connects you to natural cycles. Once you start, you will never look at a banana peel the same way again.