Home Composting Made Easy
Why compost? How to make compost at home?
Making your own compost protects the environment, because kitchen waste and food-scraps in a landfill decompose without oxygen, producing methane which is a greenhouse gas that is harmful to the environment.
Organic Compost can be used as natural fertilizer for your lawn and plants. It is a great natural alternative to chemical fertilizers, and it saves you money.
Making your own compost also reduces waste (such as grass clippings and leaves) that you have to put at the curb for garbage collection. Collect your food scraps with kitchen compost bins and save them for the compost pile.
Composting is a biological process which happens naturally with the help of bacteria, insects and microorganisms. Your yard waste and food waste break down and become nutrient-rich, earthy smelling soil.
You can make your own compost bins, or buy ready-made compost bins or compost tumblers.
Home composting is really easy. You don’t have to be an expert to do it.
This page will give you a few tips on how to make compost at home.
4 Elements Needed for Quality Organic Compost
Nitrogen, Carbon, Moisture and Oxygen
Four elements are needed to create ideal conditions for making quality organic compost.
NITROGEN
Nitrogen helps build cell structure. It comes from GREEN materials such as grass clipping, flowers and plant trimmings.
CARBON
Carbon provides energy source in the compost. It comes from BROWN materials such as dry leaves, wood chips, straw and sawdust.
MOISTURE
Water is a critical element because microorganisms need moisture to live. Add a little water to your compost pile if it gets too dry. You should keep it damp, but not soggy.
OXYGEN
Oxygen supports microorganisms and insects in the compost pile.
What Materials to Add – Things that you can put in the compost pile
- Grass Clippings
- Weeds
- Flowers
- Plant Trimmings
- Dry Leaves
- Wood Chips
- Fresh Hay
- Prunings
- Nut Shells
- Straw
- Sawdust
- Paper
- Dryer Lint
- Paper Towels
- Wood Ash
- Fruit and Vegetable Scraps
- Egg Shells
- Tea Bags
- Coffee Grounds
What Materials to NOT Add – Things to avoid putting in the compost pile
- Dairy Products
- Oils, Fats or Grease
- Meat, Fish or Bones
- Diseased Plants
- Pet Waste
- Coal or Charcoal Ash
- Glass
- Diapers
Anything that you are not sure about, leave it out of the compost
3:1 Brown:Green
Use 3 part Brown materials to 1 part Green materials
