The Basics of Home Composting

Composting is a natural process.  Organic materials such as leaves, grass, and vegetable scraps are broken down by microorganisms, forming a rich soil-like substance called compost or humus

What Do you Need to Home Compost?

All you need to compost is enthusiasm, yard or food waste (except meat or dairy products), and some space.  Compost piles don't need to be enclosed, although many people use a bin or similar enclosure.  Compost bins can be purchased or you can easily construct one with common materials such as chicken wire, snow fencing, lumber or used pallets.  Other tools that come in handy for composing are a garden hose, wheel barrow and common garden tools.

Getting Started

A 4x4x4-foot area out of direct sunlight is ideal for your compost pile.  Chose an easily accessible spot on a grass or soil base.  Composting can begin any time of the year, but many people start in the fall when leaves are abundant.  As a note, trimmings from bushes and shrubs are usually not suitable for composting. 

Organic materials should be mixed, adding water as needed so that the materials feel like a moist, wrung-out sponge.  The compost pile should be turned after a few weeks so that the outside layers are exchanged with the center of the pile.  Turn compost piles about once a month, except in cold winter conditions.  Water can be added during turning, if necessary.

Using Compost

Compost is ready to be used when it looks dark and crumbly and none of the starting ingredients are visible. One way to test if your compost is finished is to seal a small sample in a plastic bag for 24 to 48 hours.  If no strong odors are released when you open the bag, the compost is done.

Compost can be applied directly around the base of trees and shrubs to serve as a mulch.  It also can be worked into the top six to eight inches of the soil to provide increased water retention and valuable nutrients