How to Make Compost at Home

Ever wondered why some gardens are like vibrant jungles, while others are a bit meh? Well, the secret’s in the soil – and compost is the key. Composting is not just about recycling kitchen scraps but also about creating a lively space where your plants can thrive.

Compost is that magical touch that adds richness and life to your masterpiece. Forget seeing kitchen waste as trash; it’s the raw material for your garden’s glow-up – a nutrient-packed potion for the soil.

Composting at home sometimes gets a bad rap, with some people thinking it’s too complicated or could turn their backyard into a smelly mess. But guess what? Composting can actually be a simple and satisfying way to give your plants a boost.

Worried about a stink bomb? No need! Learning to compost the right way is surprisingly easy. 

Picture this: layer some kitchen scraps, sprinkle in soil, add a bit of water, and ta-da! You’re on your way to creating plant-loving gold, also known as humus.

Your homemade compost can spruce up your flower bed, pamper your lawn, and feed those growing veggies.

Read on to learn everything about compost, including simple ways to prepare compost at home.

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What is Compost?

First things first, what is compost? 

Think of compost as nature’s treasure – it’s that dark, crumbly stuff with an earthy smell. Generally, it is a blend of leaves, grass clippings, and other bits from plants and animals. It’s a 24/7 job for tiny microbes and critters in the soil. They’re on duty, breaking down leftovers from nature.

Composting is like giving them a turbo boost, speeding up the natural process. And guess what you get? A regular supply of compost, often dubbed “black gold” by gardening enthusiasts. 

This final product isn’t just any mix; it’s a nutrient powerhouse for plants. It’s packed with the major and minor goodies plants crave for growth.

Why Should You Use Compost?

Using compost in your garden comes with a multitude of benefits that contribute to soil health, plant growth, and overall garden vitality. 

Here’s a breakdown of the advantages:

1. Nutrient-Rich Soil: Compost is a natural source of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients are vital for plant growth and development.
2. Improved Soil Structure: Compost enhances soil structure by promoting better aggregation and preventing soil compaction. This results in improved aeration, drainage, and root penetration.
3. Microbial Activity: Compost is a haven for beneficial microorganisms. These microbes contribute to the breakdown of organic matter, making nutrients more accessible to plants and creating a healthier soil ecosystem.
4. Water Retention: The organic matter in compost acts like a sponge, increasing the soil’s water-holding capacity. This helps with water retention, ensuring a steady supply to plant roots during dry periods.
5. Reduced Erosion: The improved soil structure provided by compost helps prevent erosion. It minimizes the risk of soil being washed away during heavy rainfall or windy conditions.
6. pH Balancing: Compost has a neutral pH, which helps balance the pH levels in both acidic and alkaline soils, creating a more favorable environment for plant growth.
7. Disease Suppression: Compost contains beneficial microorganisms that can suppress harmful pathogens and diseases, creating a healthier environment for your plants.
8. Reduced Need for Chemical Fertilizers: By providing a steady supply of nutrients, compost reduces the dependency on synthetic fertilizers. This makes gardening more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
9. Weed Suppression: A layer of compost acts as a natural weed barrier, preventing weed growth and making it easier to maintain a tidy garden.
10. Enhanced Plant Growth: Plants grown in compost-amended soil often exhibit improved growth, increased yields, and better resistance to environmental stressors.
11. Recycling Organic Waste: Composting allows you to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste, reducing the amount of organic material that ends up in landfills. It’s an eco-friendly way to manage waste.
12. Cost-Effective: Using compost can save money on fertilizers and soil conditioners. Homemade compost, in particular, is a low-cost solution that turns kitchen and yard waste into a valuable resource.

What are the Types of Composting?

When it comes to composting, there are different ways to go about it, and it’s good to know the basics before you start. Let’s break down the three main methods: Cold Compost, Hot Compost, and Vermicompost.

Cold Compost

This one’s for the laid-back gardeners. Just collect yard waste and kitchen scraps like peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Throw them in a pile or bin, and wait. In about a year, these things will break down on their own, giving you some awesome compost for your garden.

Hot Compost

For those who want results faster, there’s Hot Composting. It needs a bit more attention, but you get compost in one to three months, especially when it’s warm outside. 

Simply mix nitrogen, carbon, air, and water to speed things up. During the growing season, you can keep making batches of compost one after another for a continuous supply.

Vermicompost

Now, this is where worms come in. Get some redworms (they’re also called “red wigglers”). Feed them your food scraps, and they’ll give you nutrient-packed castings. You can buy these worms online or at a garden store.

In a nutshell, whether you like taking it easy or being a bit more hands-on, there’s a composting method that suits you. Each way has its perks, so you can pick what fits your gardening style and how much time you want to spend on it.

What to Compost?

Composting is a fantastic way to recycle organic waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Knowing what to compost is crucial for a successful and effective composting process. 

Here’s a comprehensive guide on what you can and should compost:

Green Materials (Nitrogen-rich)

• Fruit and Vegetable Scraps: Peels, cores, and any leftover bits from your kitchen.
• Coffee Grounds and Filters: Used coffee grounds and paper filters can go into your compost bin.
• Fresh Yard Waste: Grass clippings, weeds (without seeds), and plant trimmings.
• Green Leaves: Fallen leaves, especially from nitrogen-rich plants like clover.
• Manure (from Herbivores): Manure from animals like cows, horses, or chickens.

Brown Materials (Carbon-rich)

• Dry Leaves: Fallen leaves are an excellent source of carbon.
• Straw or Hay: Adds carbon and helps with aeration.
• Shredded Newspaper: Black and white newspaper is a good carbon source.
• Cardboard: Shredded or torn into small pieces.
• Wood Chips or Sawdust: In moderation, as these can be slow to decompose.

Other Compostable Items

• Eggshells: Crushed eggshells provide calcium to the compost.
• Tea Bags (without staples): Used tea bags and loose tea leaves.
• Stale Bread and Grains: Small amounts of stale bread, rice, and pasta.
• Natural Fibers: Cotton and wool materials, cut into small pieces.
• Hair and Fur: Pet hair or human hair can be composted.

What NOT to Compost

• Meat and Dairy Products: These can attract pests and slow down the composting process.
• Oily or Greasy Foods: They can create unpleasant odors and attract pests.
• Diseased Plants: Plants infected with diseases may not break down properly and could spread pathogens.
• Pet Waste: Cat or dog feces can contain harmful pathogens.
• Coal or Charcoal Ash: They can contain substances harmful to plants.

Remember, a successful compost pile needs a balance between green and brown materials, along with adequate moisture and aeration. Avoid composting large quantities of any one material and turn the compost regularly to facilitate the decomposition process.

How to Make Compost at Home – 5 DIY Ideas

Composting at home is a great way to recycle organic waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Here are five DIY ideas to make compost at home:

1. Basic Backyard Composting Bin

Materials

• Wooden pallets or wire mesh.
• Nails or zip ties.
• Straw or dry leaves.
• Green kitchen waste (vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, etc.).
• Brown materials (dried leaves, shredded newspaper, cardboard).

Steps

• Create a square or rectangular enclosure using pallets or wire mesh, leaving gaps for air circulation.
• Secure the structure with nails or zip ties.
• Layer green kitchen waste with brown materials.
• Turn the compost regularly to aerate and speed up the decomposition process.
• Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged.

2. Trench Composting

Materials

• Shovel.
• Kitchen waste.

Steps

• Dig a trench about 8-12 inches deep in your garden.
• Add kitchen scraps directly into the trench.
• Cover the waste with soil.
• Rotate the location of the trench periodically.

This method is excellent for enriching the soil in specific areas of your garden.

3. Indoor Vermicomposting

Materials

• Worm bin or a large container.
• Red wiggler worms.
• Bedding material (shredded newspaper, cardboard).
• Kitchen scraps.

Steps

• Set up the worm bin with bedding material.
• Add red wiggler worms to the bin.
• Place kitchen scraps on top of the bedding regularly.
• Worms ingest organic materials, transforming them into nutrient-dense castings through their digestive processes. They will consume the organic matter and produce nutrient-rich castings.
• Harvest the worm castings and use them as fertilizer.

4. Bokashi Composting

Materials

• Bokashi bran (contains beneficial microorganisms).
• Airtight container.
• Kitchen waste.

Steps

• Layer kitchen waste in an airtight container.
• Sprinkle Bokashi bran between layers.
• Seal the container to create an anaerobic environment.
• Allow the waste to ferment for about two weeks.
• Bury the fermented waste in the soil or add it to a compost bin.

5. Leaf Mold Composting

Materials

• Fallen leaves.
• Large plastic bags.

Instructions

• Collect fallen leaves in large plastic bags.
• Moisten the leaves slightly.
• Tie the bags loosely to allow air circulation.
• Let the leaves decompose for 6-12 months.
• You can use the produced leaf mold as a natural soil enhancer.

Remember to balance green and brown materials, maintain proper aeration, and keep the compost moist for successful composting. Adjust the composting process based on the available space, time, and resources you have.

Compost Temperature Control

Consider your compost pile as a spa for microorganisms – they love it warm, but not too hot. Aim for a temperature range of 110-160°F (43-71°C) to optimize the decomposition process. It’s a delicate balance – warmth accelerates the breakdown, but excessive heat can harm the beneficial microbes.

Important Composting Tips

1. Choosing a Compost Bin: Select a bin that suits your style and space constraints.  Ensure the bin has adequate ventilation or turning mechanisms.
2. Location Matters: Place your compost in a well-drained, sunny spot. Consider accessibility to make transporting compost to the garden easy.
3. Layering Technique: Alternate between greens and browns in a 3:1 ratio. Regularly turn the compost to maintain aeration and accelerate decomposition.
4. Moisture Management: Keep the compost moist, like a wrung-out sponge but avoid waterlogged piles as excessive moisture can lead to unpleasant odors and slow decomposition.

When to Use Compost?

Patience is a virtue in composting. Your compost is ready for action when it resembles dark, crumbly soil and exudes that earthy aroma. This transformation takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on your composting method. Apply this black gold to your garden in spring or fall for maximum impact.

How to Use Compost

You’ve brewed the potion, now it’s time to work the magic!

Topdressing

Spread compost around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. This method will also enhance the visual appeal of your garden while nourishing the soil.

Mixing With Soil

Blend compost into existing soil when planting. It improves soil structure, fertility, and water retention.

Compost Tea

Steep compost in water to create a nutrient-rich liquid and use it as a foliar spray or soil drench for an instant nutrient boost.

Composting FAQs

1. What are the 4 things needed to make compost?

• Greens (nitrogen-rich materials)
• Browns (carbon-rich materials)
• Oxygen
• Water

2. What are common compost materials?

• Greens: Kitchen scraps, fresh yard waste.
• Browns: Dried leaves, newspaper, cardboard.

3. What is the best compost composition?

Balanced Mix: A ratio of 3 parts browns to 1 part greens.

4. Is Rice a brown or green compost?

Rice is considered a green compost material.

5. How do you increase nitrogen in compost?

Add More Greens: Increase kitchen scraps, grass clippings, or fresh yard waste.

6. Can you add onion to compost?

Moderation is Key: Yes, onions can be composted, but in moderation.

7. What not to put in compost?

Animal products, fatty foods, dairy, pet waste, and plants afflicted with diseases.

8. Can garlic go in compost?

Yes, garlic can be composted.

9. What fruit cannot be composted?

Citrus peels take longer to break down; use sparingly. They’re also more acidic. 

10. Can you compost tomato?

Yes, tomatoes can be composted.

11. Can you compost bread?

Yes, bread can be composted in moderation.

12. What ruins compost?

Imbalances, lack of aeration, excessive moisture, or adding non-compostable items can ruin your compost.

13. Can you compost rice?

Yes, rice can be composted.