HomeComposting

Home composting is the practice of turning household and yard organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. It relies on aerobic microbial activity to break down scraps, producing a dark, crumbly material that can improve soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient availability in gardens and landscapes.

Most home systems require a balance of air, moisture, and materials. A typical mix includes green, nitrogen-rich materials such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and fresh grass clippings, and brown, carbon-rich materials such as dried leaves, straw, and shredded paper. The pile or bin should be kept moist like a wrung-out sponge and aerobic by frequent turning or aeration. Temperature and management affect speed: hot composting can produce finished compost in a few months with careful monitoring, while cold composting takes longer.

Common methods include backyard compost piles or bins, which can be simple or enclosed; compost tumblers that make turning easier; vermicomposting, which uses red worms to process kitchen scraps in a controlled bin; and bokashi, an anaerobic method that pre-ferments waste before final aerobic composting.

Materials to avoid include meat, fish, dairy, oils, diseased plants, and pet waste, which can cause odor, pests, or pathogens. Large items should be chopped or shredded to speed decomposition. Finished compost is typically dark, earthy-smelling, and crumbly, and is applied to garden beds, mulch, or potting mixes to improve soil health.

Environmental benefits include reducing landfill waste and associated methane emissions, while providing a free, renewable soil amendment.