Are you dreaming of a lush, thriving garden? Composting with bins might be your next best step! Today, I’m excited to share my personal composting journey—and show you just how simple and rewarding it can be.
Composting is a true game-changer. Not only does it enrich your soil and help your plants flourish, but it’s also a sustainable way to reduce kitchen waste and save money on store-bought fertilizers.
I’ve genuinely fallen in love with composting. There’s something magical about turning everyday kitchen scraps and yard clippings into “black gold” for your garden beds. Instead of tossing food scraps and yard waste in the trash, why not transform them into nutrient-rich compost? It’s a small change that makes a big difference—for your garden and the planet.
Ready to get started? Let’s dive into how you can make compost with bins and start reaping the benefits today!
What is compost?
Compost is a nutrient-rich mixture made from decomposed organic matter, such as food scraps, yard waste, and other biodegradable materials. It is used as a natural fertilizer to improve soil quality, increase moisture retention, and promote plant growth.
Benefits of Composting
Reduces waste
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food scraps and yard waste make up about 30% of what we throw away. When disposed of in landfills, they break down and release harmful gases that can contribute to global warming.
By composting, you can reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills and help lessen the impact on our environment.
Improves soil fertility
When added to soil, compost acts as a natural fertilizer, enriching it with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This not only helps plants grow healthier and more robust but also increases the soil’s ability to resist erosion.
Saves money -- The nutrient-rich compost that is created through composting can be used as a natural and sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. By using compost in my garden, I am able to improve the health of my plants and soil without having to spend on expensive store-bought fertilizers.
What to Put in Your Compost Bin
The key to successful composting is to have a proper balance of nitrogen-based (green) materials and carbon-based (brown) materials in your compost bin.
Green materials include things like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, grass clippings, and manure, which provide the necessary nutrients for microorganisms to thrive and break down the organic matter.
On the other hand, brown materials, such as leaves, twigs, straw, and paper, help create a balanced environment for the composting process to occur.
A good ratio to aim for is about 4 parts browns to 1 part greens. This balance helps to create the ideal environment for the microorganisms in your compost to break down the organic matter efficiently.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this ratio is just a guideline, and you may need to adjust it depending on the materials you are adding to your compost.
If your compost is not heating up, it may be a sign that there’s not enough nitrogen in the mix. To remedy this, simply add more greens to your compost.
But what exactly can you put in your compost bin? Well, not all materials are suitable for composting, as some may take longer to break down or contain harmful chemicals. So, I’ve put together a list of safe materials that you can add to your compost bin.
Nitrogen Sources (greens)
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Grass clippings
- Coffee grounds
- Fresh hay
- Seaweeds and kelp
- Flower Cuttings
- Manure
Carbon Sources (browns)
- Leaves
- Newspaper
- Cardboard
- Straw
- Shrub trimmings
- Cornstalks
Note: Consider the size of the materials you’re adding to your compost. Larger pieces, like whole fruits or vegetables, may take longer to break down. It’s best to chop or shred these materials into smaller pieces to speed up the composting process. This will also help create a more uniform texture in your finished compost.
Avoid materials that have been treated with chemicals or have glassy coatings, as these can disrupt the composting process and harm the beneficial microbes.
What Not to Put in Your Compost Bin
While many organic materials can break down and enrich your soil, there are some items that can actually do more harm than good. Here are some things that you should steer clear of when composting.
Meat, fish, and bones
These materials can attract pests and create foul odors in your compost, as they break down at a much slower rate than other organic materials.
Dairy products and oily or greasy foods
Adding dairy products and oily foods to your compost can slow down the composting process and create a smelly, slimy mess in your bin.
Pet waste
Pet waste, such as dog or cat feces, can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can contaminate your compost.
Diseased plants
When you add diseased plants to your compost, you run the risk of spreading the disease to other plants in your garden. Plant diseases can easily survive the composting process and infect healthy plants when the compost is used as fertilizer.
Perennial weeds
When you add these weeds to your compost, there’s a chance that they could take root and spread throughout your garden. They can be difficult to control and can ruin your plants.
Treated wood
These materials contain chemicals that can leach into the soil and potentially harm beneficial organisms and plants.
Types of Compost Bins
There are different types of compost bins, so it’s important to choose one that suits your needs and space.
Stationary Compost Bin
Stationary bins are often made of plastic or metal and have a lid to keep pests out. They have hole slats on the sides to allow for air circulation, which helps the compost break down faster. They also have bottoms that allow excess moisture to drain out.
If you’re just starting out with composting, stationary bins can be a great option. They are easy to use and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for beginners.
Tumbler Compost Bin
Tumbler bins are specifically designed to make the process of composting easier and more convenient.
Unlike traditional compost piles that require manual turning and mixing, tumble bins feature a rotating drum that allows users to simply spin the bin to aerate the compost mixture. This action helps to speed up the decomposition process and ensure that all the organic matter is broken down evenly.
DIY Compost Bin
If you prefer a more cost-effective and customizable option, you can also make your own DIY compost bin. The easiest way to make a DIY compost bin is to repurpose a large plastic container, such as a storage bin or a trash can.
To turn your plastic trash can into a composting bin, drill holes in the walls of the container, spacing them about 6 to 12 inches apart. Next, cut square pieces of screen fabric that are about 4-5 inches in size. Place these pieces over each hole from the inside of the can and secure them with silicone to prevent pests from getting in.
How to Make Compost
If you’re looking to start composting at home, here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Step 1: Get a compost bin or build one.
Decide on the size of the bin. Consider how much waste you will be composting and how much space you have available for the bin.
Compost requires oxygen to break down properly, so make sure your bin has adequate ventilation to allow for air circulation.
Step 2: Find a suitable location.
Once you have selected a compost bin, find a suitable location for it in your yard. Make sure the spot is well-drained, receives plenty of sunlight, and is sheltered from extreme weather conditions. It’s also important to place the bin on a flat surface to prevent it from tipping over.
I placed my bin in a corner of my backyard where it gets lots of sun and is protected from strong winds.
Step 3: Layer your materials.
To create a good compost pile, alternate layers of brown materials ( like leaves and cardboard) with green materials ( like kitchen scraps and grass clippings). Start with a layer of brown materials at the bottom of your compost bin. Next, add a layer of green materials on top of the brown layer.
Alternating between brown and green layers will help maintain a healthy balance of carbon and nitrogen in your compost.
Step 4: Add water.
Moisten the compost with water to keep it damp but not soggy. The ideal moisture level is similar to that of a wrung-out sponge.
Watering the compost will help break down the materials and speed up the composting process.
Step 5: Turn your compost.
Turn your compost regularly. This helps to aerate the pile and distribute moisture evenly. Turning your compost every few weeks will ensure that all the materials are breaking down efficiently.
Step 6: Monitor your compost.
Be mindful of the moisture level in your compost. Compost should be moist, but not waterlogged. I regularly checked the moisture level by squeezing a handful of compost – it should feel like a damp sponge.
If the compost feels too dry, I add water, and if it’s too wet, I mix in dry materials like shredded paper to help absorb the excess moisture.
Composting Tips
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when composting.
- Overfilling your compost heap with too much waste can hinder the decomposition process. To ensure everything breaks down properly, avoid packing your compost bin too full.
- To prevent food waste from stinking or attracting pests, cover it up with brown materials instead of letting it sit on top of the pile.
- Add extra nitrogen, like a cottonseed meal, each time you turn the compost. This will help break down the organic matter faster and create nutrient-rich soil.
- Compost breaks down the quickest when it’s kept at a temperature between 120-160 degrees Fahrenheit. At lower temperatures, decomposition still happens, but it takes much longer. Consider using a compost thermometer to measure the core temperature of your bin.
- When bins are left uncovered, they can get filled with water during rainy weather or become dried out in hot climates. To avoid this, cover the bin with a tarp or plastic sheet to protect its contents and regulate moisture levels.
How to Know if Your Compost is Ready
So you’re wondering if your compost is ready for use in your garden? Well, I’m here to help you figure that out.
One way to tell if your compost is ready is by looking at its color and texture. Ready-to-use compost will be dark brown or black and have a crumbly, soil-like texture. If your compost still looks like food scraps, it’s not ready yet.
Another way to determine if your compost is ready is by conducting a smell test. If your compost smells earthy, it’s likely ready for use. However, if it smells sour or rotten, it still needs more time to break down.
You can also perform a simple germination test to see if your compost is ready. Simply put some of your compost in a couple of pots and plant some radish seeds in the compost. Radishes are ideal for this test because they germinate and mature quickly.
After planting the seeds, monitor their growth closely. If ¾ or more of the seeds successfully germinate and grow, then your compost is ready to use.
The time it takes for your compost to be ready can vary from 30 days to a year, depending on the method you use.
Making compost may take a bit of time and patience, but the benefits it brings to your garden and the environment are well worth it.
