Composting 101: Turn Scraps into Garden Gold

If you’re tossing your veggie scraps in the trash, you’re basically throwing away future fertilizer. Composting is one of the simplest (and cheapest) ways to feed your garden - plus, it makes you feel like a bit of a wizard turning banana peels into rich, dark soil.

But if the idea of a rotting pile in your backyard makes you think “ew, no thanks,” don’t worry. Done right, compost doesn’t have to smell bad or attract critters. In fact, it’s garden gold - and your plants will love you for it.

Why Composting Matters

• Nutrient boost: Compost adds organic matter that improves soil structure, fertility, and water retention. Translation: healthier plants without chemical fertilizers.

• Waste reduction: Up to 30% of household waste can be composted. That’s less in the landfill and more in your garden beds.

• Microbe magic: Compost is full of beneficial microorganisms that help fight plant disease and build resilient soil. (Think of it as probiotics for your garden.)

What You Can Compost (and What You Can’t)

Yes, please:

• Fruit and veggie scraps

• Coffee grounds & filters

• Tea bags (minus the staples)

• Crushed eggshells

• Grass clippings & leaves

• Shredded paper & cardboard

Skip it:

• Meat, fish, and dairy (they’ll smell and invite pests)

• Oily foods

• Diseased plants

• Pet waste (just…no)

The Green + Brown Rule

Good compost needs balance - greens (nitrogen-rich) and browns (carbon-rich).

• Greens: fresh scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds

• Browns: dried leaves, cardboard, sawdust, straw

A simple ratio? Aim for 2 parts brown to 1 part green. Too many greens = slimy mess. Too many browns = pile of dry leaves. Balance makes the magic happen.

How to Start Composting

1. Pick a spot. A shady corner works best. You can use a bin, a tumbler, or just a pile.

2. Layer it up. Start with browns, add greens, and repeat like a lasagna. (Just don’t eat this one.)

3. Keep it moist. Like a damp sponge, not a swamp.

4. Turn it. Every week or two, give it a stir to add oxygen. This speeds things up and prevents odors.

5. Wait. In 2–6 months, you’ll have crumbly, earthy-smelling compost ready to use.

Troubleshooting Common Compost Problems

• Smells bad? Too many greens - add more browns.

• Too dry? Add water or more greens.

• Not breaking down? Needs oxygen - turn the pile more often.

How to Use Compost in Your Garden

• Mix into soil: Improves structure and fertility.

• Top-dress around plants: Acts like mulch, slowly feeding the soil.

• Potting mixes: Blend compost with soil for container gardening.

Final Thoughts

Composting isn’t complicated - it’s nature’s recycling system. With a little balance and patience, you’ll turn everyday scraps into the best soil booster your organic garden could ask for.

Ready to give your garden a boost? Start a compost pile today and let those coffee grounds and carrot peels do the dirty work for you.