Composting for Beginners – Compost is a natural nutrient-rich soil that anyone, even beginners, can make.
Compost can be made from your kitchen leftovers, grass clippings, dead leaves, branches, wood chips, water, and oxygen.
It can be made in any container or even a pile designated as your compost pile.
There are a few things every compost beginner needs to know and do to ensure you have your recycled and valuable mineral laden soil for your garden.
COMPOSTING FOR BEGINNERS
YOU NEED TO KNOW THE MIXTURE
The mixture of compost is green material (kitchen leftovers like fruits and vegetable remnants or peels, and grass clippings), brown material (leaves, branches, tea bags, dryer lint, etc.), water and oxygen.
You can start your compost by layering the materials or just mix them all together. You will need more brown material than green.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO ROTATE OR MIX THE COMPOST EVERY FEW DAYS
Rotating it is a very important component of composting because it ensures that oxygen is introduced to all areas of your compost.
The bacterium that primarily breaks down the compost is aerobic, meaning it needs oxygen. Rotating your compost will help accelerate the breakdown process.
CHOOSE A CONTAINER OR AREA THAT IS EASY FOR YOU TO ACCES
It is important for you to access your compost container or pile because you need to make sure it is moist enough.
It needs to be moist but not overly wet if it is too dry pour some water and green materials to moisten it. If it is too wet add some brown materials and mix or rotate it.
I prefer a compost pile outside, but during the cold winter months, I do not feel like running outside every time I have something to compost.
Getting an indoor compost bin with a lid is a great alternative – this way you only need to venture outside once the bin is full! With bio-degradable compost bags, you can use an existing container you already have.
Composting is a great way to recycle materials while giving you the benefit of free, usable, nutrient-rich material for your garden.
It doesn’t require a lot and is a natural process that occurs when organic material decays and is amazing to help your plants and flowers grow.
These books on composting have even more helpful tips:
Let it Rot! The Gardener’s Guide to Composting
Compost Everything: The Good Guide to Extreme Composting
You may also like this COMPOST THIS, NOT THAT post that gives you a list of things to compost and those to avoid:
You may also like these posts on Mommy Moment:
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN HERB GARDEN.
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TIPS FOR KIDS CONTAINER GARDENING:
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sabina Edwards says
Last yr I was trying to look up how to make a barrel into one (I can get free plastic huge barrels from work) Not sure yet what we’ll do but there is always food stuff to use, coffee grounds by the kilos and of course all the dead plant stuff in the yard
dan baruffa says
If you also have flowers , pot or garden, I have always enjoyed. topping-up and also making it look good, not just healthy
Swapandeep Singh says
nice
Jodi @ AMomHavingFun says
I was just thinking about composting the other day. I used to be so good with it, and loved how rich it made the soil in my garden. I stopped because the bin I had inside failed at keeping out odors and I never got a new one. This is something I’m planning on doing again. Thanks for the reminder and the great information!
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
It can get stinky, but it is worth it. I bet you will enjoy getting back at it.
Crystal says
I would love to give composting a try. It doesn’t sound horribly complicated, but I am sure it will take some refining to get the mix just right.
Mel says
This is a fantastic post with awesome info. I always wondered about composting, will have to give this a try sometime.
diane says
We have been composting our kitchen scraps for years. Great way to reduce our trash output every week!
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
That is very true – so much less trash and so much more nutrients for our gardens.
Christine says
What perfect timing! We’re planning on building a vegetable/fruit garden on the side of our house, but we’re just beginners. I remember my Grandpa composting produce scraps on his farm, so we really wanted to continue the practice. Thank you!
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
I’m glad the timing was good for you for this post. You are going to love your own garden too!
Shauna Basel says
Same here! I wish Grandpa was here now to teach me. His compost on the farm was black gold.
Ryan Scott says
I love this article because it’s very helpful. Thanks for posting.
M C says
How do you know when it’s “ready” to use?
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
That is a great question. When it is about half the original size and looks like dirt – you should not see any banana peels left for example. Hope that helps.
Reem campos says
Thanks for the post! Very helpful! Do you cover it or leave it uncovered? I assume it will smell, but it will be outside so it’s ok. I am just wondering if I need to get a container with a cover or without. Thanks!
marwa says
I have a small apartment. can I cover the container?
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
Yes, Like I mentioned, getting an indoor compost bin with a lid is a great alternative if you can not get outside easily. Good luck.
Seha Rosle says
Do compost always have worms or maggots?
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
If you make sure your outdoor compost has good ventilation with a screen you should not have to worry about maggots. You want to keep the flies out. Worms are good for composting. Hope that helps.
Allen Halfhill says
What about adding manure from my friend, the local dairy farmer?
Munny says
I ❤️ This article as it helps to do something with my compost pit
Bet good information
Debra says
I started a compost in a trash can. Is it suppose to have so many flies? I mean we are talking like A LOT!
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
I have never had my compost in a trash can but I can suggest that you make sure you have enough brown materials, the lid on and be sure to mix it often. Hope that helps.