Composting is the ultimate garden recycling program. It's the natural process of turning kitchen scraps and yard waste into a rich, dark, soil-like material called humus. Adding compost to your garden is the single best thing you can do to improve soil health, structure, and fertility.
The Recipe: Browns + Greens
A successful compost pile requires a balanced mix of two types of materials:
- "Browns" (Carbon-rich): These materials provide the energy for the microorganisms. Think of dry, woody materials. Examples include: dried leaves, straw, shredded newspaper, cardboard, and wood chips.
- "Greens" (Nitrogen-rich): These materials provide the protein for the microorganisms to grow and multiply. Think of moist, fresh materials. Examples include: fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, grass clippings, and plant trimmings.
The Golden Ratio: Aim for a ratio of approximately 3 parts Browns to 1 part Greens by volume. This isn't an exact science; the key is to have significantly more brown material than green.
What NOT to Compost
To avoid pests and odors, do not add meat, fish, dairy products, oily foods, or pet waste to your backyard compost pile.
Building Your Pile
You can use a commercial compost bin or simply create a freestanding pile. The ideal size is about 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet to generate enough heat for active decomposition.
- Start with a layer of coarse brown material, like twigs, at the bottom for aeration.
- Add alternating thin layers of greens and browns, like making a lasagna.
- Lightly water each layer as you build to keep the pile as damp as a wrung-out sponge.
- Finish with a final layer of brown material on top to reduce odors and flies.
Maintaining Your Compost
The two main tasks are turning and watering. Turn the pile with a garden fork every week or two to mix the materials and introduce oxygen, which is vital for the decomposition process. Check the moisture level when you turn it; if it feels dry, add a little water.
When is it Ready?
Your compost is ready when it is dark, crumbly, and has a rich, earthy smell. Depending on your method and materials, this can take anywhere from a few months to a year. Once ready, you can screen it and spread it on your garden beds as a nutrient-rich mulch or mix it into the soil before planting.