Composting for beginners probably seems like an intimidating or scary task, but in actuality, it’s pretty easy to get started! It really helps reduce the amount of waste your family is putting into a landfill while giving your garden a healthy nutrient boost! If you are ready to learn how to start composting (for beginners), checkout some of the information below. It’s so easy to start composting for beginners in backyards, or even indoors! Composting is great anywhere.
How To Start Composting (For Beginners)
When first starting to compost, begin first by collecting brown items around your yard. This includes things like leaves, twigs, and even plant clippings. And in the future, after you do your yard work, toss your scraps directly into the compost bin!
Have you gathered your brown things? Now it’s time to layer in the green stuff. Add grass clippings, green leaves, or even newspaper in at this stage. You can include coffee or tea grounds here, as well!
Now, it’s time to go through your garbage! Dig through your food scraps and add things like egg shells, non-citrus plant scraps, and vegetable leftovers of any sort. Most of the fruits and veggies you eat can be easily compostable!
However, it is important to mention that you should NEVER ADD FATTY ITEMS LIKE MEAT OR GREASE TO YOUR COMPOST PILE. THIS WILL ATTRACT BUGS AND OTHER PESTS. Even salad with a dressing on it CANNOT be composted. I speak from personal experience! Break all kitchen waste into tiny pieces, as this will help speed up the process. Once broken up, put them directly into your composting bin in your backyard.
After you’ve added your ingredients, add in a bit of potting soil! This helps speed the process along and works as a great compost “starter.”
Water heavily after the potting soil has been added. Once watered, you’ll want to use a composting pitchfork (found here) to turn the soil. Turning the soil allows oxygen to rejuvenate the compost pile; speeding up the composting process.
If you keep the soil moist, and the pile turned, you should have usable compost in 5-6 weeks. See? Composting for beginners is easy!
Composting For Beginners: How To Make
Of course, no one can start a proper composting pile without a proper composting for beginners bin! Composting for beginners bins are super easy to make, and you can use basic things that you already have hanging out around the house. If you are not sure how to make your own composting for beginners bin, check out my tutorial for 7 great DIY options.
Composting For Beginners: Apartments
Just because you live in an apartment, doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the composting fun! Composting for beginners is easy, especially in an apartment. When composting indoors, the most common way to do so is by way of a worm bin. Though expensive to start, you can find a worm bin (with everything you need) on Amazon. It’s crucial that you keep the worms in an area that is constantly room temp. They will cook (or freeze) outside. The worms will break down the scraps (just as long as it is all organic material, and nothing fatty) and leave you with fine, nutrient-rich leftovers. Use the compost in your container garden (if you have one on your balcony) or donate them to a local garden. Most places take food and composting scraps, you just have to find the right one.
I hope this post on how to start composting (for beginners) helps you out!
I will keep this in mind, can I use kitchen waste like rice, pulses or vegetables in making compost.
Hi, Lucy. Yes, you can use anything that is biodegradable (like rice, pulses and veggies) and some things that are not so easily biodegradable like coffee grounds and egg shells.
Does a composter need to be in sun or shade? Trying to figure out where to put it in the backyard…