Composting is one of the easiest and most impactful things you can do as a gardener. It transforms food scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich material that feeds your plants and improves soil health. Best of all, you can compost successfully—even if you live in a small apartment.
In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to make compost at home, whether you have a backyard, a balcony, or just a kitchen corner.
Why Compost?
Composting is a win-win:
- Reduces waste: Keeps organic matter out of landfills.
- Improves soil: Adds nutrients, improves texture, and boosts microbial activity.
- Saves money: Replaces store-bought fertilizers.
- Supports sustainability: Helps reduce methane emissions and supports a circular lifestyle.
Types of Composting
Choose a method based on your available space and needs.
1. Outdoor Bin Composting
Ideal for backyards or larger patios.
- Use a *plastic bin, *wooden crate, or commercial compost bin.
- Place it on soil or grass for better drainage and access for worms and microbes.
- Layer your greens (wet materials) and browns (dry materials) regularly.
2. Vermicomposting (Worm Composting)
Perfect for apartments, balconies, or indoor spaces.
- Uses red wiggler worms to digest organic matter.
- Requires a worm bin with bedding (shredded paper, cardboard).
- Odorless if maintained correctly and produces “worm tea” (liquid fertilizer).
3. Bokashi Composting
A Japanese method that ferments food waste in a sealed container.
- Suitable for meat, dairy, and oily foods (which regular compost avoids).
- Requires Bokashi bran and a special bucket.
- Must be followed by burying or finishing in an outdoor compost bin.
What You Can and Can’t Compost
Knowing what to compost is key to a healthy system.
✅ Green Materials (Nitrogen-rich)
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea bags (without plastic)
- Fresh grass clippings
- Plant trimmings
✅ Brown Materials (Carbon-rich)
- Dry leaves
- Shredded newspaper
- Cardboard (plain, non-glossy)
- Straw or hay
- Sawdust (from untreated wood)
❌ Avoid These
- Meat, fish, and dairy (unless using Bokashi)
- Oily or greasy foods
- Pet waste
- Plastic, glass, metal
- Diseased plants or chemically treated wood
Step-by-Step Guide to Start Composting
Here’s how to begin a simple compost pile or bin:
Step 1: Choose a Compost Bin
Select a bin that suits your space:
- Small plastic bin with lid (indoor)
- Stackable bins (balcony)
- Large outdoor tumbler (yard)
Drill holes in the sides for airflow if making your own.
Step 2: Prepare the Base
Start with a layer of coarse brown material like twigs or dry leaves to improve drainage and air circulation.
Step 3: Add Materials in Layers
Alternate:
- Green layer: Kitchen scraps, fresh clippings
- Brown layer: Dry leaves, cardboard, paper
Try to aim for a 3:1 ratio of browns to greens.
Step 4: Maintain Moisture and Air
The compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge—not too dry or soggy.
- Add water if it’s too dry.
- Add dry paper or leaves if it’s too wet.
- Mix or turn it once a week to keep oxygen flowing and speed up decomposition.
Step 5: Monitor and Adjust
If it smells bad, it may be too wet or lacking browns. If nothing is breaking down, it may need more greens or moisture.
You’ll know your compost is ready when it’s dark, crumbly, and smells like fresh earth—usually in 2 to 4 months, depending on conditions.
Composting in Tiny Spaces
No backyard? No problem.
Indoor Worm Bins
- Store under the sink, in a cabinet, or on a balcony.
- Harvest castings every 2-3 months.
- Great for feeding houseplants or balcony gardens.
Countertop Composters
- Use a ventilated kitchen caddy to store scraps temporarily.
- Empty into a community compost program, local drop-off site, or personal bin.
Freezer Method
If you’re short on space and waiting to deposit compost:
- Collect food scraps in a bag or container in the freezer.
- Prevents odor and bugs.
- Empty weekly at a shared compost site.
How to Use Finished Compost
When your compost is ready:
- Mix into garden beds to improve soil structure and fertility.
- Top-dress pots or planters as a slow-release nutrient boost.
- Make compost tea by steeping compost in water to use as a liquid fertilizer.
Avoid using compost on seedlings unless it’s fully matured—unfinished compost can harm young roots.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Bad smell | Too wet or too many greens | Add browns and mix |
| Pile is dry | Not enough moisture | Add water and mix |
| Not breaking down | Needs turning or more greens | Mix and adjust ratio |
| Fruit flies | Exposed scraps | Bury food deeper, cover with browns |
Turn Waste into Gold
Whether you’re feeding a rooftop herb garden or a row of tomatoes in your yard, composting is one of the smartest and most sustainable tools in your gardening toolkit.
And the best part? It costs almost nothing and gives back endlessly.
Even in small apartments, your banana peels, coffee grounds, and junk mail can become rich, living soil. Composting proves that growth doesn’t always come from adding more—but from using what we already have, wisely.