10 Tips for FREE and Easy Composting

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Before I hand you my list, I should give the 411 on compost.  According to Wikipedia, compost is defined as:

"a combination of decomposed plant and animal materials and other organic materials that are being decomposed largely through aerobic decomposition into a rich black soil. The process of composting is simple and practiced by individuals in their homes, farmers on their land, and industrially by industries and cities.

Compost soil is very rich soil and used for many purposes. A few of the places that it is used are in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture. The compost soil itself is beneficial for the land in many ways, including as a soil conditioner, a fertilizer to add vital humus...and as a natural pesticide for soil." 

This decomposition is actually accomplished by the digestion process that occurs when these materials are eaten by underground insects and earthworms, that deposit their results as a consistently textured, nutrient rich soil enhancement. I'm surprised Wikipedia left that important part out. "Aerobic decomposition" didn't cut it for me as a description of the process.


While composting can be accomplished with expensive compost bins and worm bins,  with little effort, that cost can be eliminated entirely by using what you already have--your back yard.

1. No need to purchase a compost bin. Find a hidden spot under an overhang of your house; typically, you'll want to steer clear of public view for your neighbor's sake. Clear it with a rake till you reach bare soil. Put some inexpensive garden fencing around it (Okay, so you may have to spend 10 bucks--sorry!). Lay a piece of heavy, dark plastic over it. Viola! You have a compost pile for a mere fraction of what the fancy smancy ones will cost you. I'll add a photo of mine below.
2. Start collecting your food scraps. Again, no need to purchase expensive counter-top compost containers. Use paper bags from purchases, lunches, etc. (or wrap in a section of newspaper) to place food scraps in. Clip closed while the bag is in your house, and place in the compost pile (bag and all), under the plastic, every 2-3 days, before fruit flies start up. Just in case your bag leaks a bit of fluid, you might want to set that bag in a shallow plastic container, pie plate or similar protective bottom layer.
3. Your compost needs some paper or other "brown" (i.e. dead organic material) that is thin or in small pieces. Dryer lint, kleenex, discarded receipts, etc. all work fine to help assure that your pile smells like a rain forest instead of a dump.
4. Foods that don't go in your compost include meat, dairy, and fats.
5. Man-made materials are never put into compost--no plastics, etc. Natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, and hemp are acceptable if not dyed. Leaves and yard scraps (weeds) can also be added, but I do suggest you avoid pine needs or cones as they are extremely sticky and do not decompose well.
6. Foods that are great in your compost are egg shells, fruit and veggie leftovers, peelings, ends and spoiled or over-ripe pieces, and coffee grinds. Get them free at Starbucks and stir them into your compost periodically, to aid in the richness of your soil enhancement, and the balance of your pile's scent.
7. Using a pitchfork or shovel, turn your compost pile to aerate it occasionally. The more you aerate your pile, the faster your scraps will be digested into rich, nutritious compost that you can enrich your garden with.
8. When your compost pile really gets cranking, you'll notice lots of insects and earthworms when you're turning the contents. This is a good sign of an active colony doing your work for you, and creating extremely rich soil and compost in the process. 
9. When your pile is about halfway to its top, stop adding contents, and allow it to do its 'thing.' Start another pile nearby, if you like, but giving the first one a chance to decompose will bring you a crop of compost much sooner.
10. Your compost is ready when you find evenly distributed granules of soil-looking material as you turn your pile. Now it is time to harvest and use your compost as a soil enhancement (Yes! It's like a fertilizer, only healthier) for flowers, vegetables and other plants. Just add a scoop (or 2 or 3!) to the soil beneath a plant and the rain will do its job to add its nutrients to the earth.

Pat yourself on the back. You just diminished your landfill contribution by a considerable amount, all the while contributing to healthier soil and plants. Bravo!

(c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko

My Compost Pile

 Hides Behind the Bushes

Related Reading:

More on Naturally Enhancing Your Compost
Lighting a Fire Under My Compost
What Can I Put in My Compost?
Composting 101, Parts I-V

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