How to Start a Compost Pile

 

Are you a little overwhelmed with the thought of starting a compost pile? If you’re like me, you lack a green thumb and you have anxiety about trying new things. Whenever I have the idea to try something new my brain explodes with questions. “What do I need to buy for that?” “How much will it cost?” “Is it going to stink?” “Will it attract pests?” Well, I try to do things even if they scare me (and honestly, everything scares me a little!) So I gave it a try! And I wrote out this Easy and Affordable Guide to Composting to make you’re life a little easier!

Why should I compost?

Composting can be a big money saver. In my city there are four sizes of garbage can, ranging in volume from 20 gallons to 96 gallons! The cost difference between the largest and smallest is $214.80 per year! Quality soil can be expensive but you will have nice, nutrient dense soil for your plants for free!

Since you will be keeping your food waste in a separate bin than your garbage you will really start to notice how much food your family is wasting. According to the NRDC “40 percent of food in the United States today goes uneaten.” It may surprise you that your family wastes so much food which may spark change in your grocery shopping and eating habits.

Having a compost pile is good for the environment as it reduces the amount of waste being sent to landfills. A compost pile in your yard is also beneficial for the local ecosystem. It may also inspire you to plant more flowers, fruits and vegetables with your healthy soil. The bugs, the birds and the bunnies will thank you!

Beginning a compost pile can be easy, fast and affordable. You only need a few supplies and a few minutes to get started.

Supplies

• Large plastic storage bin with lid
• Drill
• Shovel or pitch fork
• Hose or watering can
• Small plastic container with lid
• Box cutter
• Worms!

Choosing Your Compost Bin

You can use a clear storage bin or an opaque one. I chose a clear one because the extra sunlight will heat up the compost and help speed up the decomposition process. On the downside, the extra heat and sunlight will dry out the compost faster meaning it will need to be watered more often. Since I live in a very wet and rainy climate this isn’t a big issue for me. If you live in a hotter climate you can either use an opaque bin or simply water your compost more often.

Prepping Your Bin

Start out by drilling small holes into your large plastic storage bin. This allows for air and water to pass through the container. It also allows a place for worms to enter your compost and worms are your best friend when it comes to decomposition.

What Can Go In My Compost?

There are two types of waste that can go in compost: brown waste and green waste. Green waste is full of nutrients and breaks down quickly where as brown waste take longer to decompose.

Green waste includes:

• Fruit, vegetables and bread
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Tea bags and tea leaves
• Eggshells that have been rinsed and crushed up
• Grass clippings and weeds

Brown waste includes:

• Paper towels and napkins
• Pizza boxes and other cardboard cut into small pieces
• Small pieces of untreated wood including saw dust, twigs and bark
• Shredded paper

What Should NOT Go in My Compost?

• Scraps from animal products like meat, skin, bones and shells from shrimp or shellfish
• Dairy
• Diapers, baby wipes, dog waste, cat litter
• Treated wood scraps

Layering your Compost

Decomposition is not a perfect science so don’t worry too much about the ratio. In general, it is a good idea to layer the green waste and brown waste. If the pile is very dry and not much decomposition seems to be occurring add more green waste and water your pile. If the pile is very wet and sloppy add more brown waste to soak up the moisture.

I started with some wet leaves. They had been in a pile for a while so they had a lot of worms in them already. These are going to be the happiest little worms in the world once they’re in my compost box!

Next I added the food scraps I had been saving up. Let’s just say I meant to start my compost pile much sooner. This stuff is already decomposing!

Next I included a brown layer, some torn up newspaper and a paper bag.

I will update you as things start getting gross!

Maintining Your Compost

• Use a pitchfork or shovel to stir your compost every week or so
• Add water if your pile gets too dry, your compost should be damp
• Add yeast to your compost, the extra bacteria speed up the decomposition process
• Add worms! I collect worms on my morning walk and add them to my compost. It is easy to find worms on the sidewalk on a rainy morning
• Keep a small plastic container with a lid in your kitchen to store your daily green waste. Take it out to the large pile once a day or so
• Keep a box cutter in your kitchen to cut up pizza boxes and other cardboard to go in your compost

Given time your compost pile will produce beautiful, healthy soil that is ideal for growing food and plants in your garden. There are people who compost and sell the nutrient rich soil for a living! It is a beautiful way to reduce your footprint and create something healthy and beautiful for your garden. If you have any questions or tips please leave them in the comments. Happy composting!