How to Begin Composting: A Beginner’s Guide

Composting is a big deal for your indoor garden. It turns your kitchen scraps into soil that makes plants thrive. It’s also great for the planet, cutting your trash in half, and turning it into something useful.

This guide will show you how to compost indoors successfully. You’ll find out the best methods no matter the space you have. Get ready to boost your green space and learn how to compost indoors.

Key Takeaways

• Composting is a sustainable way to turn household organic waste into nutrient-rich soil for indoor gardens.
• Composting can be done in as little as three months and requires a compost pile between 3-5 cubic feet in size.¹
• Maintaining the right balance of green (wet) and brown (dry) materials is essential for successful composting.²
• Turning the compost pile regularly and monitoring moisture levels helps ensure proper decomposition.¹
• Composting can be done in small spaces, such as apartments, using specialized methods like vermicomposting.

What is Composting?

Composting is a natural way to turn food scraps, yard waste, and other biodegradable material into compost.³ This valuable soil amendment is made by microorganisms that break down organic matter. It needs oxygen to work. The end product, compost, improves soil and helps plants grow. It’s a great way to handle your household waste and is good for the environment.

Understanding the Composting Process

Composting has stages where different microorganisms do their part to decompose the materials.³ Here’s how it works:

• Microbial activity: Right away, bacteria, fungi, and tiny creatures start to break down the materials. They release heat as they work.
• Heating: This heat can get up to 140°F (60°C). It kills harmful germs and seeds, making the compost safe.
• Stabilization: Over time, the compost gets richer in nutrients and gets closer to being ready to use.
• Curing: In the end, the compost is dark, crumbly, and smells like earth. It’s perfect for your garden.

The time it takes to make compost can change. Factors include the size of the compost pile, what materials are in it, and how well it’s aerated.

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Benefits of Composting

Composting is good for the planet and your garden. It has some great benefits:

1. Waste reduction: It keeps organic waste out of landfills, which helps cut down on greenhouse gases.⁴
2. Soil improvement: Adding compost to soil makes it better for plants. It helps soil retain water and it’s full of nutrients.³⁴
3. Cost savings: Making your own compost means you don’t need to buy as much fertilizer. It saves money and is great for plants.³
4. Water conservation: Compost helps soil hold onto water. This means you use less water and save this important resource.⁴
5. Waste reduction: Composting keeps food waste and other organics out of landfills. In landfills, they would add to methane emissions.⁴

Understanding composting’s process and benefits lets you join in. By composting, you help the earth and live a more eco-friendly life.

How to Start Composting

Starting to compost is a big move towards being more green. You should first pick how to compost, depending on your space and waste.⁵ You can use a composting bin, make a pile, or get a tumbling composter.

Choosing the Right Composting Method

A composting bin is great if you don’t have a lot of room. It keeps things neat and helps the pile stay moist and airy. This makes the stuff break down faster.

If you have more waste, an open pile might work. But, you’ll need to turn it more.³ A tumbling composter makes mixing easy, so it’s less work for you.

Selecting the Perfect Location

Pick a spot for your compost that’s shady and easy to get to.³ It must drain well and be far from buildings to avoid too much wetness.⁵ Sun for three to four hours daily is best to speed up breaking down.

Composting Materials

Understanding the materials for composting is key for success.⁶ There are two main types: green and brown materials.

Green Materials for Composting

Green materials are full of nitrogen and moisture.⁶ They feed the microorganisms well. Fruits, veggies, coffee grounds, and grass clippings fall into this category.⁶ They should compose about 1/3 of your pile.

Brown Materials for Composting

Brown materials, high in carbon, are dry.⁶ They’re the main fuel for composting. Use items like paper, cardboard, leaves, and wood chips.⁶ They should make up the remaining 2/3.

It’s vital to balance green and brown items.⁶ The perfect mix is two parts brown to one part green. This helps your compost decompose well.

By getting the green and brown mix right, you help the microbial life thrive. This leads to nutrient-rich compost.⁶

What Not to Compost

Composting is awesome for making less garbage and better soil. However, not all stuff should go in that pile.⁷ It’s key to know what to keep out⁷ to avoid foul smells and make composting work well.

Don’t toss in meat, bones, or dairy.⁷ They smell bad and might draw pests. And avoid using plants with diseases, seeds from weeds, and things covered in pest killers. They can mess up your compost.

⁷ For every 2 parts of browns, add 1 green for best results. But,⁷ say yes to poo from plant-eating animals, and no to meat scraps. Watch out for ashes from coal or wood, they might hurt plants.

⁷ It’s important to get your compost really hot, around 141 to 145 degrees F.⁷ Be careful with cat poop if you’re pregnant. And always balance your browns and greens for a good pile.

Setting Up Your Compost Pile or Bin

Start by adding a layer of twigs or big chunks at the bottom for air flow. This helps keep the compost from getting too compact.⁵

Add green and brown materials in layers. These could be fruit scraps (green) and dry leaves (brown). Keep the pile damp, but not too wet.⁵

Use a pitchfork to mix the compost often. This adds oxygen for the microorganisms, making the compost break down faster.⁵

Be sure to keep the compost moist by watering it regularly. Turning the compost frequently will also help it finish faster.⁵

Layering Your Compost

To layer your compost right, mix green and brown items well. For every green layer (like fruit scraps), add two brown layers (such as dried leaves).⁶

This balance is good for the tiny living things that break down the compost. They need both types of materials to do their job. It also helps the compost decompose evenly.⁶

Maintaining Proper Moisture Levels

The right amount of water in your compost is key. It should be damp, not drenched. Aim for a moisture level between 40-60%.⁶

If it’s too dry, water it gently. This is especially important when the weather is hot and there’s no rain.⁵

Aerating and Turning the Compost

Aerating your compost, or giving it air, is a must. Microorganisms need oxygen to work.⁵

Turn the compost with a pitchfork once in a while. Monthly mixing keeps everything working well. It evens out moisture and speeds up decomposition.⁶

Troubleshooting Common Composting Issues

Composting is great, but some problems can pop up. A bad smell might show up if it’s too wet or not enough air gets in.⁸ To fix this, you can add more dry items, turn the pile more, or cover it to keep the right moisture.⁹

Dealing with Odors

The bad smells can be of two types: rotten or like ammonia.⁸ Rotten odors happen when there’s no air, making a gas called hydrogen sulfide.⁸ Turning the pile helps stop this. Ammonia smells come from too much nitrogen. Adding straw or sawdust helps balance things out.⁸

Addressing Pests and Animals

Pests might like your compost, but you can keep them away. Burying food or using a closed bin works. So does putting the pile in a shady spot.¹⁰ In October 2018, users talked about keeping the compost pile dry. They said good drainage is key.¹⁰

In January 2019, people wondered about weed seeds in compost. They questioned how well composting kills these seeds.¹⁰ To fix compost issues, turn the pile and add materials high in nitrogen. Also, ensure the right moisture and add micro-organisms to kick off the composting.⁸

How to Start Composting: Tips and Tricks

Starting composting is simple. A key first step is to set up a way to collect food scraps in your kitchen.³ Use a separate bin or pail for your food waste. This makes it easy to regularly add to your compost and keeps the process smooth.

Collecting Food Scraps

Start by putting a small bin on your kitchen counter or under the sink. This is where you can toss fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells all day.³ When the bin fills up, move its contents to your compost outside.

Speeding Up the Composting Process

After setting up your food scrap system, you can make compost faster with a few tricks. First, cut big items into smaller pieces before composting.¹¹ This lets the tiny creatures in your compost bin do their job better. Make sure you have both green and brown materials in your compost.¹¹

Turning the compost with a pitchfork helps it decompose faster too.³ This step adds oxygen that’s crucial for the microorganisms. Checking the pile’s temperature with a thermometer can ensure it’s at the ideal spot for quick composting.¹¹

Using these steps, you can easily turn old food and garden waste into compost. This not only improves your garden’s soil but also cuts down on landfill waste.³¹¹

Using Your Compost

When your compost smells earthy and feels crumbly, it’s done. Now, you can make your garden happier.⁵ Just spread a thin layer over your garden and mix it in. This gives your plants food and makes the soil better.⁵

Incorporating Compost into Your Garden

Adding compost boosts your garden a lot. It feeds your plants slowly and makes the soil healthy. By adding compost to your beds, plants get what they need to grow strong.

Compost Tea and Other Applications

You can do more with compost than just put it in the ground. Make compost tea. Then, you can spray it on leaves or water it in the soil. This makes your plants even happier.⁵ You can also use compost on lawns or mix it in pots for container gardens. It makes soil hold water better.

Composting turns trash into treasure for your garden. By using it in soil and in different ways, you help your plants thrive. This makes your garden a better place for everything that grows.

Composting for Apartment Dwellers

You can compost even in a small apartment with little outdoor space.¹² To get started, gather things like vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Mix in items such as stale bread and newspaper. These are great for compost.¹³ To manage these items inside, you can use electric composters, worm composting, or simple indoor bins. Storing scraps in the freezer also works well.

¹³ Electric composters, such as Lomi, quickly turn food scraps into plant food.¹³ Worm composting is a great indoor method all year long. It also doesn’t need a lot of room.¹³ For those who want something easy, there are countertop bins and freezer bins. They offer a simple way to compost.¹³ If you have a balcony, consider compost tumblers or upright bins. These make composting outside possible for apartment dwellers.

¹³ Compost tumblers keep in heat and keep away bugs, making the process easier.¹³ Upright bins with a base can save liquid that forms in the compost. This liquid is great for your plants.¹² A straightforward plastic bin system is often enough to begin with. Make your own bin by drilling holes in two plastic bins. Then, add shredded paper or sawdust along with soil. These materials help with the composting process, including airflow and liquid drainage.

¹² Composting can take a while, maybe a few months. It’s good for gardens and plants, making soil better and bringing in good bacteria and worms.¹² Researchers have noted that using leaf mold compost can cut down on waste. It also makes soil better and helps grow more tomatoes in cities.

Composting and Sustainability

Composting is key to living sustainably. It cuts down on the trash we put in landfills.⁴ Food scraps and garden waste make up a big part of what we throw away in the U.S. – more than 28%. When these materials rot in landfills, they let out methane. This gas is very bad for our planet, adding to climate change.⁴ In 2017, the U.S. made over 267 million tons of trash. Most of it ended up in landfills. By composting, you keep this waste from the dump. Plus, you create a natural soil booster for plants and healthy environments.

Reducing Waste and Environmental Impact

Composting can really make a difference. It helps cut back on waste and supports green habits.⁴ Every month, a typical American family throws away about $150 in food. The U.S. wastes a lot of fruits and veggies too – about 60 million tons yearly.⁴ When we compost, we lower landfill use. This means less methane and other harmful gases.⁴ San Francisco is a great example. Since 2012, they’ve kept over 90,000 tons of carbon emissions out of the air each year. That’s more than 80% of their waste diverted from landfills.⁴ Also, compost boosts soil health. It helps soil hold more water and cuts down on the need for harmful chemicals. This leads to a healthier planet for us all.

Conclusion

Composting can easily turn my kitchen and yard waste into rich soil for my plants. This guide helps me start a composting system, even in a small space. It’s good for the environment and makes my garden healthier.¹⁴ With the right method, I turn waste into a valuable resource, improving my home’s green factor.¹⁴

Composting is crucial for a green lifestyle. It cuts down on trash that fills up landfills.¹⁴ When waste rots in these dumps, it makes a harmful gas that warms the planet.¹⁴ But by composting, I reduce this waste and make something good for my plants.¹⁴ It’s a simple but powerful way to live more sustainably.

Compost has many great benefits, like less trash, better soil, and helping gardens thrive.¹⁴ This guide gives me the skills to start composting and enjoy its rewards. It’s a step towards a greener, more nature-friendly home.

Source Links

1. https://extension.wvu.edu/natural-resources/soil-water/composting-for-beginners
2. https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/the-absolute-beginners-guide-to-composting/
3. https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2019/05/guide-to-composting
4. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/composting-101
5. https://www.botanicgardens.org/blog/start-backyard-compost-bin
6. https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/composting-101-how-to-start-your-first-compost-pile/
7. https://www.thespruce.com/what-to-compost-1709069
8. https://www.planetnatural.com/composting-101/making/problems/
9. https://homesteadingfamily.com/home-composting-troubleshooting/
10. https://www.growveg.com/guides/how-to-fix-common-compost-problems/
11. https://lomi.com/blogs/news/composting-tips-for-beginners
12. https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-compost-in-an-apartment-5216891
13. https://lomi.com/blogs/news/how-to-compost-in-an-apartment
14. https://usfblogs.usfca.edu/sustainability/2020/05/18/my-composting-journey/