From scraps to soil: How to compost at home in 8 simple steps
Did you know that composting at home is an easy and effective way to reduce waste and help our planet thrive? Our family started composting just six months ago, and the impact has been incredible. We're avoiding over 30% of our trash from ending up in a landfill; it's truly astonishing how much waste we can divert simply by composting.
Getting started
Getting started with composting is super easy and straightforward. Check out our guide below for a step-by-step process, and keep in mind the benefits of involving children – composting is an excellent hands-on activity to teach kids about their impact on the environment and empower them with a simple solution that truly makes a difference.
Step 1: Choose a composting method
Decide on the compost bin, tumbler or pile method. Consider factors such as space, convenience, and the amount of waste you expect to generate.
Step 2: Select a suitable location
Find a spot in your yard that is well-drained and receives plenty of sunlight. Ensure it is easily accessible for adding and turning the compost.
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Step 3: Gather compostable materials
Collect organic waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, yard trimmings, and paper products like shredded newspaper or cardboard.
Do not compost meat, dairy products, oily foods, pet waste, or diseased plants, as these can attract pests or introduce pathogens to the compost pile.
Step 4: Layer your compost
Alternate between green materials (nitrogen-rich) like food scraps and grass clippings, and brown materials (carbon-rich) like dried leaves or shredded paper. Aim for a balance of about 50% greens and 50% browns.
For a complete guide to what can and cannot be composted, check out our blog: Composting decoded: Your ultimate guide to understanding what can be composted.
Step 5: Maintain moisture and aeration
Keep the compost moist, similar to a wrung-out sponge. Turn or mix the compost every few days to introduce oxygen and accelerate decomposition.
Step 6: Monitor and adjust
Check the compost’s moisture level. If it’s too dry, add water. If it’s too wet, mix in dry browns. If the compost smells bad, adjust the balance of greens and browns or increase aeration.
Step 7: Be patient
Composting takes time. It can range from a few months to a year for the compost to mature and become dark, crumbly, and earthy in texture.
Step 8: Use your compost!
Once the compost is ready, use it to enrich your garden soil, potting mixes, or as a top dressing for plants. It adds nutrients, improves soil structure, and retains moisture.
Involve kids!
Composting is a fantastic, hands-on way to teach kids about the impact we have on our planet with the amount of waste we generate. Involve kids in the process of setting aside waste to be composted, shredding paper and cardboard, and mixing it all in the bin, tumbler or pile. Also use the opportunity to educate them about decomposition and the role various critters and organisms play in the process of breaking down waste.
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