Composting 101: How to Turn Kitchen Scraps into Nutrient-Rich Soil

Why Compost?

Composting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Instead of throwing food scraps and yard waste into the trash, composting turns organic materials into a natural fertilizer that boosts plant growth, improves soil health, and reduces landfill waste.

What You Can Compost

To get started, it’s important to know what materials can and cannot be composted.

Good for Composting:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps

• Coffee grounds and filters

• Eggshells

• Grass clippings and leaves

• Shredded newspaper and cardboard

• Tea bags (check for plastic in tea bags before composting)

• Nut shells

  
  

Avoid Composting:

• Meat, dairy, and oily foods (they attract pests and create odor)

• Pet waste (can contain harmful bacteria)

• Diseased plants or weeds with seeds (can spread in compost)

• Plastic, metal, or glass (non-biodegradable materials)

How to Get Started

Follow these simple steps to begin composting at home:

Step 1: Choose a Composting Spot

Find a suitable location for your compost, whether it's a bin, a pile in your backyard, or a small container for indoor composting. Make sure the area has good airflow and drainage.

Step 2: Start Collecting Compostable Materials

Set up a small bin in your kitchen to collect food scraps. Balance your compost with greens (nitrogen-rich materials like fruit scraps, vegetable peels, and coffee grounds) and browns (carbon-rich materials like dried leaves, newspaper, and cardboard).

Step 3: Layer Your Compost Pile

Alternate layers of greens and browns to create a balanced mix. This helps speed up decomposition and prevents unpleasant odors.

Step 4: Keep It Moist

Your compost pile should be damp, like a wrung-out sponge. If it’s too dry, add water or more greens. If it’s too wet, mix in more browns to absorb excess moisture.

Step 5: Turn and Aerate Regularly

Oxygen is essential for the composting process. Turn your pile with a shovel or pitchfork every 1-2 weeks to help break down materials and prevent odor.

Step 6: Monitor Your Compost

Check for signs of healthy decomposition. The pile should warm up as microbes break down materials. If it’s not heating up, adjust the green-to-brown ratio and aerate more frequently.

When Is Your Compost Ready?

Compost can take anywhere from a few months to a year to fully break down. It’s ready to use when it is dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell with no recognizable food scraps.

How to Use Finished Compost

• Mix it into garden soil for added nutrients.

• Use as mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

• Add to potted plants for healthier growth.

• Brew compost tea by soaking it in water to create a natural liquid fertilizer.

Final Thoughts

Composting is a simple, eco-friendly habit that turns waste into a valuable resource. Whether you have a large backyard or a small apartment, getting started is easy. Follow these steps to create your own nutrient-rich soil and help the planet in the process!