How to Start Composting at Home
- Lisa
- Oct 13
- 2 min read
Why Compost?
Composting turns everyday scraps into free, nutrient-rich soil. You’ll cut trash, build healthier beds, and stop tossing money on store-bought amendments. It’s gardening the old-fashioned way—waste nothing, grow more.
What goes in: fruit/veg scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, fresh grass, spent flowers.
What doesn’t: meat, dairy, oils, pet waste, glossy/microplastic paper, diseased plants.
Rule of thumb: aim for 3 parts Browns (dry, carbon-rich) to 1 part Greens (wet, nitrogen-rich) by volume.
Choose Your Setup (yard or apartment)
Pick a location: shade/partial shade, good drainage, a hose nearby.
Backyard tumbler – tidy, fast, easy to turn.
Link wire bin – cheapest; great for leaf-heavy yards.
Worm bin (vermicompost) – for kitchens/garages; kids love it.
Bokashi (fermented scraps) – tiny spaces; finishes outside or in a planter.
What You’ll Need
Browns: dry leaves, shredded paper/cardboard (I love this paper shredder), straw, sawdust (untreated).
Greens: chopped produce scraps, coffee grounds, fresh grass.
Air & water: keep it damp like a wrung-out sponge.
Compost thermometer (aim for 110–150°F in hot piles).
Counter caddy with compostable liners for daily scraps.
Step-by-Step: How to Start Composting at Home
Lay a base
Add 3–4" twigs or corrugated cardboard for airflow.
Add materials in layers
3 buckets Browns → 1 bucket Greens. Chop scraps to walnut size.
Moisten
Spray layers so the pile is damp, not soggy.
Cover every fresh Green
Top with Browns to reduce smells and pests.
Aerate
Tumbler: rotate 3–4 turns, 2–3×/week.
Pile: use a fork or aerator every 1–2 weeks.
Monitor
If it’s dry, add water/Greens. If it’s wet or smelly, add Browns and mix.
Finish & cure
When dark and earthy with pieces mostly unrecognizable, let it cure 2–4 weeks. Then sift and use.
Where to use it: top-dress beds, mix 20–30% into potting soil, mulch veggies, or feed container plants.
Troubleshooting (fast fixes)
It smells (anaerobic): add Browns, mix, improve airflow, bury food under Browns.
Too dry / not breaking down: add water + more Greens, chop smaller.
Pests: keep lids latched, avoid meats/fats, always cover Greens with Browns.
Fruit flies: freeze scraps or keep a caddy with tight lid; add a Brown cap after every dump.
Apartment-Friendly Options
No yard? Use a worm bin or bokashi under the sink, then finish on a balcony planter or community garden. Works just fine—neighbors won’t smell a thing if you keep that lid on every time.
What NOT to Compost
Meat, fish, dairy, oils/fats
Pet waste
Glossy/foil papers
Treated wood ash
Diseased plants
Whole produce stickers
Big branches
Optional add-ons you may want for your backyard composting:
FAQs
How long does compost take?
Actively managed hot piles: 6–10 weeks plus 2–4 weeks cure. Passive piles: several months.
Does it attract animals?
Not if you skip meats/dairy, always cover Greens with Browns, and use a latching bin.
Can I compost weeds or leaves with spots?
Yes for most weeds (before they set seed). Skip obviously diseased plant material.
Can I compost paper towels and cardboard?
Yes—plain, shredded is best. Avoid glossy or heavily printed packaging.
Want a fridge-ready checklist? Grab the Quick-Start Composting Checklist below.
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