Composting 101

We compost here every single day.  Well, the scraps go on the counter every day, not necessarily out to the bin. But the point is that we compost and we reap the rewards every spring when we use that wonderfully rich, dark, material in our gardens! We currently have an inexpensive four sided recycled plastic compost bin. It came with a removable lid on top and a front sliding door that could be opened to pull out the material. We modified it over the years by removing the top and the front door so it is always open to the elements (and because the were annoying and unnecessary). Now it is much easier to maintain but when we move to our New Future Homestead we will simply build a three sided bin from cement blocks or wood (see pictures below) that will be much easier to access and turn regularly. No matter how big or small a bin you choose or use, the reward of beautifully rich compost is well worth the effort!

Choose a question below to learn more:

What is compost?

Compost is a homemade organic material that can be added to your garden soil to help plants grow. It is a combination of three basic ingredients

• Browns - this includes things like leaves, twigs, and sawdust (provides carbon)
• Greens - this includes things like scraps from fruits and vegetables (provides nitrogen)
• Water - either from rain, or added as needed (provides moisture)

There should be approximately an equal amount of browns and greens for the compost to mature just right.

Why should you compost?

• Composting is a great way to reduce the waste from  your household and create a good rich soil that will help your plants grown healthy and strong.
• The compost also reduces, or even eliminates, the potential need to add any artificial fertilizers to your soil creating healthier vegetables for your family to eat.
• It can help deter pests and diseases.
• Composting also reduces your carbon footprint :-)
• Best of all it saves you money since you won't have to buy it! And....you also know what is in it because you control it. *This is important because one year we picked up free compost from our local town and added it to our garden. This was the biggest mistake we ever made because there were bits of plastic and other things leading us to believe that the town was not as picky as we were.

How can you get started?

• Choose a dry, shady spot near a water source. This location should also be near your garden, or between your garden and your farm animals for convenience if at all possible.
• Build a three sided bin with the front and top open toward you. You can choose to add a screen to keep out the animals.

• Add your brown and green materials to the pile, making sure anything large is cut up small or shredded.  If you can afford it, a chipper/shredder machine for yard waste is highly useful, as is a paper shredder (affiliate links). These of course are just examples and you should really do your research before purchasing.

• Moisten pile as needed. Ours is located next to the garden so is watered when the garden is which works for us.

What can be composted?

You won't believe this list of things you can compost!

• Egg Shells
• Fresh Vegetable scraps
• Moldy old fresh vegetables
• Coffee Grinds
• Used tea bags (no staples!)
• Shredded plain paper
• Shredded newspaper
• Shredded cardboard
• Sawdust (from natural wood, not treated wood)
• Grass clippings (too much will get smelly though)
• Mulched leaves
• Wood chips
• Dryer lint
• Hair and Fur
• Chicken, horse, and other animal manure and wast (not DOG waste)
• Yard waste (cut up small)
• Hay and straw from animals
• Nut shells
• Cotton and wool materials (shredded)
• Ash from burning wood

What should not be composted?

Anything that could be harmful if it gets into your food. For example, if your yard waste or grass was treated with herbicides and or pesticides then you do not want them in your compost pile. If you added processed charcoal to your fire, then do not put the ash into the compost, again, due to the harmful chemicals.

It is also said to avoid adding bones and uncooked meat from animals and fish because they attract animals (including flying buggies) and can smell over time. This is definitely good advice for small yards.  However, if you have a large property then you can choose to add it anyway, or you can take it out far from your house and leave it out for the animals. I know what you might be thinking (gross), but if you are a hunter then you know this is not a big deal. If it doesn't get eaten (which it will), it will still decompose! 

Lastly, you should never add any prepared or cooked foods, again, for the same reasons as above. However, some of these leftovers can be saved in the freezer to add to soups and or stews or fed to your own chickens, goats, and or pigs!

So basically, be smart! And when in doubt, well, just keep it out! Of the compost pile, that is :-)
​

You can easily purchase a bin (see some at the bottom of this  page),
but DIY is even better if you can!
Here are two of my favorites!
Note: pictures are links to plans (actual links at the bottom of this page)

The plans for this bin are available from Birds & Blooms .

The plans are from allanblock.com

A few simple tips to help make composting simpler:

• Keep a small bin next to the sink to throw all scraps into very easily.  Keeping it clean is vital or it will smell and grow mold! We use an old plastic 3 lb. coffee container with a handle (see picture below). My husband also drilled holes in the lid for air circulation (prevents mold growth).
• When emptying the bin, use a rubber spatula to get every last bit out!
• Keep a shovel or three pronged hoe in the pile so you can easily turn it every time you empty the kitchen counter bin!
• If you can, locate the compost area near the garden in an easily accessible location.  After all, you want the compost close to where it will most likely be used!  This will also assure that it will be watered when the garden is.
• If you have animals, you want the compost pile between them and the garden.  This was not possible for us so we find ourselves carting the waste from our chickens across the yard. Someday when we move to our new homestead we will definitely be designing this better!​

Full bin ready to go out!

Rubber spatula to get it all out!

On our way out any time of year! Check out the nosy chicken :-)

If all goes well, your compost can be usable anywhere from two (2) months to two (2) years. Ours is used once a year when we plant our garden in the spring and it is awesome!

Thanks for visiting!
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and check out our other ways to Minimize Household Waste
and Zero Waste Home!
Sincerely,

Sources:
www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
www.birdsandblooms.com/backyard-projects/diy-garden-projects/diy-compost-bin/
www.allanblock.com/courtyard/compost-bin.aspx