How to Compost at Home

5 Easy Steps for DIY Composting

 

September 23rd was the first official day of autumn and if you have been considering composting at home, rest assured it is a simple and extremely rewarding experience. All you need is a yard (or some outdoor land), a few supplies, and dedication to preserving the environment and keeping waste out of the landfill!

There are many different methods for how to compost at home, the below steps are geared toward the goal of making the processes as simple as possible but if you have a different method that works, we would love to hear about it! Email us your compost success stories at recyclefun@adsimail.com.

Read on for all you need to know to create a sustainable compost pile in your own backyard.

Getting Started

Although a compost pile can be created without using a bin or receptacle, you may want to consider buying one in order to keep your compost more organized, protected from animals, or even just more attractive. There are both stationary and rotating (“tumbler”) composting bins which can be purchased online or at any home improvement store in a wide range of price options.



Stationary Compost Bin  



Rotating Compost Bin (Tumbler)

 

If you do not choose to go with a bin, be sure to cover your pile. You can use plastic sheeting or even carpet scraps. Covering assures your compost retains moisture and heat, two essentials for the process. Covering also prevents the compost from being over-watered by rain.

 

 

When using the stationary bin method, locate the pile in a sunny location so that it has as much heat as possible. If it’s in the shade all day, decomposition will still happen, but it will be much slower, especially when freezing temps arrive in the fall. Compost tumblers can also take advantage of the heat generated from being placed in direct sunlight.

Steps:

1.*If you are choosing the bin method— Start your compost as a pile on bare ground. This allows worms and other beneficial organisms to aerate the compost and be transported to your garden beds; you can then move the pile into a bin of your choice.

*If you are choosing the pile method—Select an area suitable for composting.  Lay twigs or straw down first, a few inches deep. This aids drainage and helps aerate the pile.

2. Add compost materials in layers (regardless of if you are using the bin or open pile method), alternating moist and dry. Acceptable ingredients are: food scraps, tea bags, coffee grounds, etc. Dry materials are straw, leaves, grass clippings etc. Avoid meat, fish and dairy because they tend to attract pests and rodents as well as other animals.

3. Add manure if possible and/or greens such as clover, buckwheat, wheatgrass, grass clippings or any nitrogen source. This activates the compost pile and speeds the process along.

4. Keep your compost moist. Water it occasionally, or let rain do the job. The compost should be moist only, not soaked.

5. Turn your pile every few weeks. Just give the pile a quick turn with a pitchfork or shovel. Or, if you are using a rotating bin, simply spin slowly a few times to combine. This aerates the pile. Oxygen is required for the process to work, and turning "adds" oxygen.

Once your compost pile is established, add new materials by mixing them in, rather than by adding them in layers. Mixing, or turning, the compost pile is key to aerating the composting materials and speeding the process to completion.