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How to Start Composting

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composting at home

I try to do my part for the environment. Anything I can do to lessen my “footprint” is a priority to me. No one is perfect, but I strive to make the right choices and decisions. So when it comes to composting, I try to do the right thing. I’ve tried a compost pile, but I never seemed to find the time to go outside and turn it over as much as it required. Since that wasn’t the best solution, I asked for a compost tumbler for my birthday a couple of years ago and I’ve been using it ever since. I have to say, it works great!

compost tumbler

What do Compost Tumblers and Bins Look Like?

A compost tumbler has a ratcheted locking handle and geared handle, which allows for easy turning. A compost bin will sit on the ground and will require manual turning of the compost with a shovel.

How to Start Composting

To compost, moisten your pile occasionally through the summer, if you live in an area where rain is infrequent. The pile should feel slightly damp for decomposition to take place at a normal rate. Cover your pile with a tarp, if necessary, to help minimize moisture loss. Bury food scraps at least 10 inches below the surface of the pile and cover them with compost and brown materials such as dead leaves. This helps minimize odor as the food scraps decompose in the summer's heat.
In the fall, bag up dead leaves to use in your compost the following summer. This makes it less likely you'll have to pay for sawdust or straw during the summer.
Food waste composting is hit or miss during the winter time for me. Since discovering these difficulties my first winter, I looked into other composting ideas that could be brought into the house. I have yet to convince my wife that worm composting is a good idea, since we can store the container in the cabinet directly below the kitchen sink. For some reason, she finds that less than appealing! compost

What Can Go in My Compost Bin?

What I put in my compost tumbler is... Food waste from the kitchen: Mostly vegetable and fruit peels and waste along with coffee grounds, including the filter Composting leaves: I usually stick to composting dried leaves. Although most of the leaves that come down in the fall are mulched back into the lawn, there are a fair number that are picked up with a leaf vacuum that grinds them up. I put some of these in the compost tumbler, but I also just spread a bunch of them across the garden. Any other dried plant material: I try to use more dried plant material than green leaves. It seems that the green or fresher leaves and stems take longer to compost, so I try to stick with dried material. Cardboard: Shoe boxes, brown cardboard or other such paper products are ripped into strips before putting them in the tumbler. Soil: If I have some leftover soil from potting a plant or digging a hole, I just add it to the tumbler Water: It’s important to keep the compost moist, but not soggy. If it begins to dry out, I add a gallon or so of water. The rest of the plant materials are gathered up and placed in paper recycling bags and offered up for recycling. The city where I live has a yard waste composting service that collects these bags and takes them to a recycling facility. At least I know that it is not going to the local landfill and is instead serving a good purpose.

Where to Store Your Compost Bin?

I store my compost tumbler outside in the backyard near my vegetable garden. Throughout the entire year I add all sorts of food waste and compostable products, although it can get more difficult to use in the winter. So think long and hard about where you place your bin so it doesn't cause inconvenience throughout your less than desirable weather months. I hope this has taught you some valuable tips on how to start composting. When done right, your home compost can be rich source of nutrients for your lawn or garden. For even more lawn tips, head over to our lawn care guide. Your yard will thank you!