Composting is as easy as setting aside a space and adding organic material, a little at a time. And the results are worth it: healthier plants, a bigger garden harvest, and less food waste. Here’s what you need to know when you’re wondering how to start composting.
How can I set up my compost pile?
The first thing you need to do before building the pile is to choose your spot. The ideal location will be dry, shady, and located near a water source. If you don’t have shade, you can still build a compost. You might just need to add water along the way (more on that below).
The ideal space will be 1 cubic yard (3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet). You can contain your pile using a circle of page wire or a plastic composting bin or you can leave it open. The system you choose depends on how much time and money you want to invest. An open pile is the least expensive and easiest way to start, though it can attract pests in some locations.
What should I put in my compost?
To build a compost pile, you’ll need to add about 3 parts brown materials to 1 part green materials. Brown materials include things like dead leaves and plants, shredded paper or cardboard, straw, wood chips, and sawdust. All these are high in carbon.
Related: How to Build a Compost Bin
Green materials include grass clippings, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable scraps, and most kitchen waste. These are high in nitrogen. Remember this recipe and your pile will thrive. That’s because achieving a good carbon to nitrogen ratio gives your pile what it needs to decompose quickly without odors.
What shouldn't I put in my compost?
The composting process works best when you avoid too much high nitrogen material. You should also avoid adding anything to your pile that will attract pests or that is treated with harmful chemicals. For standard composters, that includes meat and bones, dairy products, pet waste, oils, most bioplastics, wasted food, black walnut leaves and trimmings, and any plants sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. And though it probably goes without saying, we’ll say it anyway: don’t put any metal, glass, or plastic of any sort in your compost, since those won’t be breaking down anytime soon.
Should I water my compost pile?
Glad you asked. You’ll need to keep your compost moist for the microorganisms who live there. They need moisture to do their work. If your climate is dry, that might mean watering your pile occasionally. Just avoid making your pile soggy. A little moisture goes a long way.
Related: How to Compost in the Desert
Do I have to turn the pile?
Turning helps aerate your pile, which speeds the breakdown of composting materials. It also reduces the chance that your pile will get smelly. A sturdy pitchfork is the best tool for turning your compost in its early stages. A shovel will work better as the matter begins to break down and separate. Some closed compost bins don’t require the material inside to be turned.
What if turning is too much work?
If you don’t have the time or the strength to turn your compost pile the old fashioned way, a compost tumbler is another option. These built-to-last composters do most of the work for you. All you have to do is turn the handle (in most cases).
Compost tumblers break down organic matter faster than stationary compost bins or piles, because they get turned more often and more effectively. They come in different sizes, but keep in mind that the larger the tumbler, the more strength it requires.
How long will my compost take to mature?
That all depends on what you put into your compost, how finely you shred your materials, and what type of compost pile you have. A basic pile layered with the correct ratio and turned a few times per year will break down by the next gardening season. Compost material dumped into a sealed tumbler will decompose in as little as four weeks—if it observes the correct ratio for carbon and nitrogen and gets turned regularly.
If you prefer to toss your food waste into one low maintenance pile and do little else, it will still rot—eventually.
What can I do with it when it's done?
What can’t you do? Finished compost has so many uses, we wrote an entire article all about it. Our favorite things to do with this fantastic organic matter include using it in raised garden beds or planter boxes, when transplanting starter plants, for compost tea, and to feed perennials. You’ll know your compost is ready when it’s dark, crumbly, and uniform.
What if I don't have any outdoor space? Can I still compost?
You can compost indoors or out, though indoor composting looks a little different. If you have space in your garage or on a covered patio, a compost tumbler can work well. If you need to compost inside your home, a worm composter does the job with little disruption. Just add chopped food.
A countertop food digester is a third option for urban and indoor food waste. Digesters use electricity to chop and dehydrate your food scraps. The result is a fine, powdery substance that looks and acts like organic fertilizer, though it is not technically compost.
The easiest way to start composting
Setting up your compost pile doesn’t have to be a headache. If you have a little bit of space (even if your space is very small), there’s an option that’s right for you. All that’s left is to get started. Which leads us to our final tip: the best way to start composting is to dive right in.
There’s a composter for everyone. From the compost tumbler (left) to the closed compost bin (right), it’s easy to get started. Learn more about how to start a compost bin.
Other related questions
Where can I get a compost bin?
If you want to put your compost into a bin designed to quickly take care of food waste, you can see a variety of composters for sale in the Eartheasy shop. We’ve also created a composter guide to help you find the best fit.
How can I make a compost bin?
If you’d prefer to make your own DIY Compost Bin, read our instructions for building a home compost using an old garbage can. It’s easier than you think. You can also set up a quick composting area using clean wooden pallets.
Related: How to Make a Homemade Compost Bin
What is a countertop compost bin?
Some people use a small container—known as a compost keeper—to store their compost between trips to their outdoor bin. This is often called a countertop composter, even though not much composting happens there.
Electric food waste digesters are often called countertop composters, since they process food waste on the counter. While these models convert food waste into fertilizer by chopping and dehydrating, they don’t technically compost.
Your turn
Do you have a composting success story to share? Leave a comment below. We’d love to hear about your experience.
