What You Should Know About Composting

Composting has a long history, going back to around 2300 B.C. when the Akkadian Empire used manure to help their crops grow. 

This was one of the earliest examples of recycling organic materials. Ancient civilizations like the Romans and Egyptians also recognized the value of mixing organic waste into their fields to enrich the soil. 

Fast forward to today, and composting is a popular practice in gardens and farms as a smart way to manage waste and nourish the soil.

In this article, I'll cover everything you need to know about composting. Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your composting skills, you'll find practical tips and valuable insights here.

What is Composting?

So, what exactly is composting?

Composting is a natural way to recycle food scraps and yard waste into something really useful for your garden.

Instead of throwing away things like vegetable peels, leaves, and grass clippings, you can actually collect them and let them break down naturally over time.

This process turns those scraps into compost, which is a dark, crumbly substance that helps improve soil quality.

Aside from helping reduce the trash that goes to landfills, composting is a small win for the planet.

When you compost, you not only cut down on the trash that goes to landfills but also help create a healthier environment as composting lowers harmful gases from landfills and improves the soil, helping plants grow better.

5 Reasons Why Composting is Beneficial

Composting has some real benefits that are worth mentioning. 

1. Reduces Waste

Instead of just throwing away food scraps (like the bits of vegetables you don’t use or the peels from fruits) and yard waste, such as grass clippings or leaves, you can turn those into something useful. 

This means less trash goes to the landfill, which is a pretty simple but effective way to be more responsible with what we throw away.

2. Improves Your Soil

Another great thing about composting is how it improves the soil.

When you add compost to your garden, it gives plants important nutrients that help them grow stronger and healthier. This makes the soil richer, allowing your plants to really thrive.

Healthy soil helps plants develop better roots, which means they can soak up water and nutrients more easily.

Compost also makes the soil nice and crumbly, making it easier for you to work with.

With healthier soil, you’ll likely see larger flowers and more fruits or vegetables, making gardening even more rewarding.

3. Saves Money on Costly Gardening Products

By using compost in your garden, you might find that you don’t need to buy as many fertilizers or soil boosters. 

This is a great advantage because those products can add up quickly, especially if you’re trying to keep your plants healthy. 

With compost, you’re creating a nutrient-rich mix at home, which helps cut down on those extra expenses.

Not only does this make it easier to keep your plants healthy, but it also means you can spend less on gardening supplies overall. 

You might even be able to put some of that saved money toward new seeds or plants you want to try.

4. Helps Soil Retain Moisture for Your Plants

Another benefit of compost is that it helps the soil hold onto moisture.

This means that during hot days, plants can stay hydrated longer without needing constant watering because the compost acts like a sponge, keeping water available for the plants when they need it.

This is especially helpful during dry periods when there’s little rain. With compost in the soil, you may find you don’t have to water as often, saving you time and effort.

When soil has the right amount of moisture, your plants are less likely to struggle and can stay healthy.

5. Reduces Greenhouse Gases

Another important benefit of composting is that it helps reduce harmful gases that can affect the environment. 

When organic waste, like food scraps and yard waste, ends up in landfills, it breaks down in a way that produces methane—a gas that contributes to climate change.

By composting, you keep this waste out of landfills, preventing methane production. Instead, it turns into nutrient-rich compost that benefits your garden.

This not only cuts down on harmful gases but also provides a valuable resource for your plants.

What You Need for a Good Compost

To create a good compost, you'll need a mix of different components that balance carbon and nitrogen.

Here are the materials that you should include when composting:

Carbon-Rich Materials (Browns)

Carbon-rich materials, or “browns,” are the dry stuff you need in your compost pile. They provide the energy that the microbes need to break everything down.

Some of these are:

• Dried leaves: Use these to add bulk to your compost.
• Straw or hay: These are light and fluffy, which helps with aeration.
• Cardboard (shredded): Shred it to increase the surface area for better decomposition.
• Wood chips or sawdust: Add these in moderation, as they can take longer to break down.

Adding a good mix of browns helps keep your compost balanced and stops it from getting too compacted. 

This is particularly important in cold composting, where organic materials decompose slowly over time without much intervention.

Another type of that is sheet composting, where you layer organic materials directly onto the soil. This method allows the materials to break down naturally and enrich the soil over time.

Nitrogen-Rich Materials (Greens)

Another type of material you can add to the compost is nitrogen-rich items, often referred to as “greens.” These are fresh, moist materials that help get the composting process moving.

Some common greens include:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps: These kitchen waste items are major contributors.
• Grass clippings: They’re high in nitrogen, but make sure to mix them well to prevent matting.
• Coffee grounds: A good source of nitrogen that many people have on hand.
• Manure (from herbivores): This adds valuable nutrients.

Mixing in a variety of greens gives those microbes the nutrients they need to do their thing.

This helps speed up the decomposition process and makes your final compost richer and more beneficial for your plants.

If you're looking for quicker results, consider hot composting methods like the Berkeley Method, which focus on maintaining optimal conditions for rapid breakdown.

In addition to “browns” and “greens,” you can boost your compost with a few other materials, such as:

• Crushed eggshells: These add calcium to the compost.
• Seaweed: This provides trace minerals that can be beneficial for soil health.
• Kelp: Adds extra nutrients to support plant growth.

These additions really help make your compost more balanced and beneficial for your garden.

What to Avoid When Choosing Your Materials

When you’re collecting materials, it’s also important to know what to leave out. Some items can create issues in your compost pile or attract pests.

It’s best if you avoid:

• Meat and bones: They attract pests and can create strong odors as they decompose.
• Dairy products: These can spoil quickly, leading to unpleasant smells and attracting unwanted animals.
• Oily foods: They can compact the compost, disrupt airflow, and also draw in pests.
• Diseased plants or invasive weeds: These can introduce pathogens to your compost and spread invasive species in your garden.

Avoiding these materials will help ensure your compost stays healthy and works well.

3 Easy Solutions For Common Composting Problems

Composting is an effective way to recycle organic waste into useful soil for your garden. However, it’s not uncommon to encounter some issues along the way.

Let's look at the three common challenges and their solutions to help you avoid these issues.

1. Compost has Odor

If your compost has a bad smell, it’s likely too wet or contains too many “greens.” A strong, unpleasant odor usually means there isn’t enough airflow in the pile.

To fix this, turn the compost more frequently to introduce oxygen and help materials break down more efficiently.

You can also add some carbon-rich “browns,” like dried leaves or shredded cardboard, to absorb excess moisture and balance out the nitrogen from the greens.

Aim for a balanced mix to keep your compost smelling fresh and healthy.

2. There are Pests

Pests can be a real nuisance when composting.

To keep them away, avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods, as these attract unwanted critters.

Instead, stick to plant-based materials that are less tempting for animals. Covering your compost with a tarp or using a closed compost bin can also help deter pests and protect your pile from scavengers.

If you spot any signs of pests, try moving your compost to a more secure location or adjusting the materials you’re using.

3. Compost is Too Dry

If your compost pile is too dry, it can slow down or stop the breakdown of materials because the tiny organisms that help decompose need water to survive.

When the compost lacks moisture, it becomes hard for these microorganisms to do their job, which means the pile won't heat up and break down properly.

To fix this, add water to the pile until it feels like a damp sponge—moist but not soaked. Add water gradually and check the moisture level as you go.

By staying mindful of these common issues and making simple adjustments, you can maintain a healthy compost pile that produces nutrient-rich compost for your garden.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)