How to Make Compost at Home

Composting is a cost-effective, simple process of sustainable gardening that allows us to convert food and garden waste into a valuable resource for our plants and the environment. If you are looking for a way to dispose of your food waste sustainably, reduce your carbon footprint and feed your garden without nasty chemicals, then home composting might be just what you are looking for.

In this article, we will explore the fundamental principles of making compost; regardless of whether you have a large outdoor space or a flat without a garden. By understanding the key steps involved with home composting, you can begin your own journey to create nutrient-rich compost for healthier plants and a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly world. 

What is composting?

Composting is a cost-effective, eco-friendly method that converts your kitchen and garden refuse into nutrient-rich food for your plants. From lawn clippings to banana peel, items that would otherwise be thrown into landfill can be turned into compost. And the best part is, it’s easy to do and you can do it yourself at home. 

The process of composting is essentially a two-step process:

1. Start by selecting your waste which should consist of green and brown compost items.
2. When you have created your compost mix, it should be left to aerate over time.

Once it is ready, you will have a valuable resource to feed your own plants or to share with family and friends for their gardens. 

What are green and brown composts?

Compost is ideally made up of a combination of green and brown compost, typically in the ratio of approximately 25-50% green and 50-75% brown. These two types have very different consistencies so they should be layered to create the perfect balance.

Green compost

Green compost items consist of food scraps and plants, are generally wet in consistency and are rich in nitrogen which is crucial to the composting process. These items include:

• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Grass
• Coffee grounds
• Animal manure (chicken, sheep, horse, cow, goat, pig)
• Trimmings from plants

Brown compost

Brown compost items are carbon-rich and dry in texture. Using brown compost helps the aeration process and allows water and air to flow through whilst also allowing space for drainage. A top tip is to place a final layer of browns on top of your compost to keep smells and flies at bay. Brown compost items include:

• Shredded newspaper
• Egg cartons
• Dried leaves
• Eggshells
• Hay
• Branches
• Pine needles
• Sawdust

Why make compost?

Making your own compost allows you to create a nutrient-rich food source for your garden and enhance plant growth. It is also incredibly cost-effective and will help you take huge steps in reducing your carbon footprint. 

The benefits of home composting include:

• Being cost-effective or free if you don’t require a container!
• Providing you with a chemical-free, organic compost to feed your plants
• Sustainable 
• Easy and fun to do 
• Educational and a great project for the whole family to take part in 
• The perfect gardening activity to do during winter

What items are not suitable for home composting?

To reap the benefits of home compositing, it is essential to exclude certain items from your compost to prevent inefficient decomposition or contaminating your entire pile which would waste all your waste! It is vital to know what you can and can’t compost to ensure that you are utilising as much of your refuse as possible and safely disposing of the rest. Items that are not suitable for composting include:

• Dairy products and eggs - These items ferment and rot, giving off an awful smell that is likely to attract pests; most commonly, rats
• Butter, cooking oil and fat - Adding oily or greasy products to your compost mix will change the moisture balance as water and oil do not mix. Remember that moisture is one of the key factors in the composting process
• Meat, fish and bones - Bones do not break down efficiently and pests will be attracted to the putrid smell of rotting meat and fish
• Charcoal ash - Ash contains harmful substances such as mercury which could harm your garden
• Dog and cat waste - These waste products may contain harmful bacteria and should not be composted
• Bioplastic packaging - Make sure you familiarise yourself with labels on packaging and only compost those that state that they are suitable for home composting. Labels that state they can be composted are generally only suitable for industrial composting which comprises an environment where the temperature and stability of the compost can be sustained more vigorously. So look out for the home composting suitability label.

 

How do I start composting?

You now know what composting is and what waste items you can use, but where do you start?

1. Select composting items

Ensure that you keep your composting waste and store it until you are ready to begin composting. Because so much of your waste will come from food, it is useful to keep a food waste caddy in your kitchen to dispose of your items as you go. If you have not been given a food waste caddy by your local council, you can contact them to have one delivered to your home. Vegetable scraps, fruit, tea bags and coffee grounds can all be chucked in until you have enough to begin composting.

2. Choose where to make your compost

Once you have collected enough items to fill the space you are using, you are ready to start composting! If you are composting outside it is important to opt for a level, well-drained spot in a sheltered area in partial or full shade. This will prevent your compost from being affected by extreme temperatures or excess rain. The microorganisms that work to turn your waste into compost function best in constant conditions. 

Some people choose to compost in a container, others will create a heap. That is down to personal preference. If you are keen to have something that looks more aesthetically pleasing and is more compact, you may be swayed by using a container. 

3. Create your compost mix

The key is to layer your compost up with a mix of greens and browns. Your browns will allow oxygen and water to pass through while the nitrogen from the greens is vital for the microorganisms to do their job. If your compost consisted only of greens, it would be too wet and would smell really bad. 

4. Aerate and wait

Now it’s time for the compost to do the legwork, but there is still a role for you to play. Think of tending to your compost heap in the same way you would tend to a fire. It requires the same level of care and this will include turning it every 2-4 weeks to add space for those microorganisms to work their magic. 

Can I compost inside?

If you do not have a garden, yes, you can still compost at home. In fact, compost containers thrive at consistent temperatures and overall conditions which is not always guaranteed with outdoor compost heaps.

For a traditional composting process inside, choose a container with a lid that will fit comfortably in a space in your house. Under the kitchen sink is often a preferred place. Drilling small holes in the sides and bottom of the container will let oxygen flow through.

Another method to try is Vermicomposting (sometimes called worm composting). This is the process of using worms to convert food waste into vermicompost. This method is suitable for a container so is perfect for indoors. 

How do you know when compost is ready?

The length of time your compost will take to aerate and break down largely depends on the temperature. If it is warm, you may be waiting as little as two months until your compost is ready. In colder climates, it could take six months to a year to fully break down. 

You will know when your compost is ready as it will be dark brown in colour and smell earthy and woody. If it smells bad, your compost is not ready!

You will also notice a soft fluffy texture as another clear indicator that your compost is ready!

What should you do with your compost when it is ready?

Once your compost is ready, it has several uses in both a house and garden. These include:

Natural fertiliser

All of the nutrients from the food waste that has gone into your compost will then directly feed your plants with the same goodness. If you do not have a garden, you may consider donating some of your compost to a local school or community garden.

Potting soil

Useful for both indoor and outdoor use, compost can be used to feed potted plants as well as those planted in the garden.

Mulch

If you apply a 3-6 inch layer of compost on top of your soil, this will prevent water evaporation and discourage weed growth.

How does composting help the environment?

Food waste from households and businesses currently sits at around 9.5 million tonnes. This food waste ends up in overcrowded landfill sites and contributes hugely to global warming. Composting at home offers numerous environmental benefits. By composting your food waste, you are taking refuse away from landfills and turning it into an amazing, natural food source for plants. This helps to filter out the toxins in our atmosphere and frees up space in landfills.

Composting also significantly enhances garden biodiversity. Various fungi and microorganisms contribute to the process of composting whilst animals such as worms and woodlice thrive on the decomposing matter. These then serve as a food source for wildlife such as birds and hedgehogs. 

Natural compost reduces the demand for resources like peat which is harvested unsustainably. Such resources are not required when you can use an organic compost, rich in nutrients. This also eradicates the need for chemical fertilisers that could harm the environment. 

Start creating your sustainable garden today

At 4thD we are passionate about gardening and landscaping beautiful, bespoke gardens. We have over twenty years of experience of taking your ideas and transforming them into reality, whatever budget we are working with. We also know how important it is to so many people to not only create a garden that looks amazing, but one that contributes to a more sustainable way of living. 

If you would like to chat to us about creating your perfect garden with sustainable garden design and build, contact us today.