Those banana peels, eggshells and potato skins you’re tossing into the trash? Save them for your compost heap. Composting is like magic for your garden, transforming food waste into nutrient-rich soil. We dish the dirt on the best composting tips for beginner green thumbs. Here’s how to turn those kitchen scraps into gardening gold!
More than ‘dirt’
Composting is the natural process of decomposition, where organic materials break down into a dark, crumbly substance known as ‘compost.’ This process is fuelled by microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and insects, that thrive in aerobic (oxygen-rich) environments. By providing the right conditions, you can speed up this decomposition process and produce high-quality compost for your garden.
Composting is the best way to increase yield and grow healthier/tastier crops when it’s time to harvest.
Not only does composting promote zero-waste cooking but it also reduces the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, where it would otherwise contribute to methane emissions. By diverting organic materials from landfills and returning them to the soil, composting helps mitigate climate change and supports sustainable waste management.
This natural, nutrient-rich fertiliser improves soil structure, fertility and moisture retention. If you have a home vegetable garden, composting is the best way to increase yield and grow healthier/tastier crops when it’s time to harvest. Not to mention, it eliminates the need for store-bought fertilisers and soil conditioners, saving you money in the long run.
How to start a compost garden
Before you get started, consider the space available to you — do you have a sprawling garden or a modest plot? Choose a composting method that fits your environment, whether it’s a traditional bin, a compact tumbler or a worm-powered vermicomposter.
Gathering your materials
Composting is more than just dumping your leftover onion peels and veggie scraps in a pile of dirt. A good compost pile requires the perfect blend of ‘browns’ and ‘greens.’
Browns are carbon-rich materials, such as dried leaves, shredded paper and cardboard. These ingredients serve as the structural framework of the compost pile, providing aeration and absorbing excess moisture. Why cardboard you ask? Cardboard is rich in carbon, making it an excellent ‘brown’ material; it also helps maintain the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, ensuring proper decomposition and preventing odours – the last thing you want!
Greens, which are nitrogen-rich, include kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels and fresh grass. They provide the necessary nutrients to fuel microbial activity during decomposition.
A good compost pile requires the perfect blend…
Browns vs. greens
While there’s no one-size-fits-all ratio for composting, a general guideline is to aim for a balance of roughly 2 parts browns to 1 part greens by volume. This ratio provides the optimal conditions for microbial activity and helps prevent odours and pests. However, it’s essential to adjust the ratio based on the conditions of your compost pile. For example, if your compost pile becomes too odorous or attracts flies, it may indicate an excess of greens – you’ll need to add more browns to restore balance.
Tailoring your heap
When it comes to using compost for growing fruits and vegetables, a well-balanced compost pile can benefit a wide range of plants. A standard compost mix is suitable for most plants, but you can further customise your compost by incorporating specific ingredients or tailor it depending on the needs of your crops. Adding crushed eggshells can provide calcium for tomatoes, while mixing in aged manure can boost nitrogen levels for leafy greens.
Coffee grounds are also a fantastic addition to compost. Contrary to popular belief, coffee grounds are only slightly acidic and might help balance the pH of your compost pile. While fresh coffee grounds may have a mildly acidic pH, they become neutral or slightly alkaline as they decompose. This can be beneficial, especially if your compost pile contains acidic materials like fruit waste. Believe it or not, coffee grounds are also a natural pest repellant.
Time to harvest
Compost is ready to use when it becomes dark, crumbly and resembles rich soil. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on factors like temperature and moisture levels.
Throughout the composting process, the temperature of your pile will fluctuate. Initially, it will rise as microbial activity increases, potentially reaching temperatures of 54-71°C. As the compost matures, the temperature will gradually decrease. When the pile stabilises and remains consistently cool, it’s a sign that decomposition is complete.
As composting progresses, you may notice changes in the appearance of your pile. Initially, distinct layers of materials may be visible, but over time, these layers blend into a homogeneous mixture. Finished compost will have a uniform consistency throughout, with no recognisable pieces of organic matter remaining.
There are plenty of ways you can utilise your compost heap.
For a finer, more uniform compost, consider sieving the finished product to remove any remaining large particles or undecomposed material. This step is optional, but can result in a higher-quality compost suitable for use in potting mixes or as a top dressing for container plants. You’ll need a few simple materials to sieve your compost, including a sturdy frame (such as a wooden or metal frame with wire mesh), a piece of fine mesh or hardware cloth, and a container to catch the sifted compost.
Make the most of compost
Once harvested, store your compost in a covered container or bin to protect it from moisture and pests. There are plenty of ways you can utilise your compost heap. Most people might add them to garden beds to improve soil structure, fertility and moisture retention. Simply mix it into the top few inches of soil or use it as a mulch around plants.
If you’re looking to keep those Monsteras or Fiddle-leaf Fig home plants healthy and vibrant, you can use your compost heap to create a potting mix. Consider blending a portion of compost soil with perlite and peat moss for extra nutrients and adequate aeration.
