How to Easily Start Home Composting for Rich Organic Garden Soil

If you've been gardening for any length of time, you've heard about composting. Creating your own compost pile is a natural and highly effective way to improve garden soil. We'll look at the easy steps you can start now to make compost at home for free. 

Composting is the simple process of turning organic matter like kitchen scraps, grass clippings, leaves, and other items into a rich, nutrient-dense soil amendment for your garden and landscaping needs. All you need to do is set up the right environment to allow the natural decomposition process to happen.

The simplest method of composting is a good old-fashioned compost pile or bin system outdoors. 

If you don't have a yard, there are indoor micro-composting systems that use either small self-contained composting systems or worms (vermicomposting). 

The easiest way to start composting is to designate a spot for a compost pile. However, most backyard gardeners don't have a lot of space, so using a bin is a great way to keep the compost pile contained. To keep this home composting project free, use a plastic gardening bucket or tub that you already have. Add holes to the bottom to allow for water drainage. You can also use wood or garden stakes around the perimeter with chicken wire. A 3-foot by 3-foot bin is the recommended size to allow for the fastest decomposition. 

If you have the supplies, you can build an easy, simple compost bin. 

An ideal spot to start a compost pile would be a shady place that is accessible for adding water and stirring periodically. 

Did you peel a carrot? Add peels to your compost pile. Coffee grounds? Throw them in. You can keep a bowl or a bucket with a lid next to your sink or garbage can to collect your kitchen scraps. 

To start a compost pile, you need a mix of green and brown materials. The general ratio is to add 4 parts of brown material to 1 part green material. For more information, you can read this blog about carbon/nitrogen ratios.

Green materials are fresh plant materials like vegetable scraps, fresh grass clippings, weeds, and garden trimmings. Animal manure is also considered a green material, and there are pros and cons of using it. But never add cat and dog waste.

Brown materials consist of dry and woody plant material. Think leaves, straw, hay, shredded paper or cardboard, and sawdust.

Things NOT to Compost:
Do not compost cat or dog waste, weeds that have gone to seed, black walnut leaves, meat, dairy, or other animal products. These items pose safety issues or will harm the quality of your compost.

Continue adding layers of greens and browns to your pile or bins whenever you have them. Try to always end with a layer of brown items, which will help to keep smells down and deter pests.

Tumbler composting uses a rotating drum or another container. This container is designed to make it easy for you to mix the materials and add air to speed up the process. Add a mix of green and brown materials to your tumbler as available, and rotate every few days to distribute heat and add airflow. This will help the bacteria inside to break down the organic material efficiently.