Composting offers many environmental benefits and provides avid and casual gardeners alike with beautiful soil but getting started can be a bit intimidating. Starting a compost pile is all about creating a convenient system, adding the right materials, and understanding what is and what isn’t compostable. We put together our best composting tips to help beginners compost with confidence!
How to Start Composting
From kitchen scraps to yard waste, not all compost is created equally. That said, starting a compost pile is simply a collection of organic matter deposited in a space where it can decompose efficiently.
Healthy, vibrant compost needs four elements:
Carbon: Sometimes referred to as “browns,” carbon content provides energy and structure to the pile. The best examples of carbon in a compost pile are dried leaves, straw, cardboard, or wood chips.
Nitrogen: The “greens” of a compost pile, nitrogen from fruit, vegetables, tea bags, and grass clippings provide moisture and protein.
Water: Microorganisms and worms need moisture to break down organic matter effectively.
Air: Bacteria and microorganisms also need air. Without fresh air and plenty of ventilation, you’ll also face some seriously foul odors.
How to Make Your Compost Pile
If you’re building an outdoor compost pile, choose a shady, relatively dry spot you can access year-round. Once you’ve selected the perfect location for your compost pile, here’s how to layer your materials.
- Start with a layer of “browns,” four to six inches thick. Wood chips and sticks are perfect!
- Next, add a three-to-four-inch layer of greens. Remember to always have a stash of browns to cover your greens, which will prevent pests and rodents from digging into your pile.
- Alternate layers as needed, and water layers as you build your pile. This keeps each layer moist and productive.
- Aerate your pile by mixing it up and turning it over every other week.
What Can and Cannot Go into a Compost Pile
Not everything belongs in a compost pile.
What You Can Compost |
What You Can’t Compost |
| · Vegetable and fruit scraps
· Coffee grounds · Tea leaves · Eggshells (just crush them up first) · Dried leaves · Shredded newspaper, cardboard, and non-treated paper |
· Meat, fish, or poultry (including bones)
· Dairy products · Diseased plants · Pet waste · Glossy paper |
Composting Indoors
Not everyone has the space to have a large compost pile outside. If you’re interested in composting indoors, create an indoor composting bin.
- Find a dark plastic bin or five-gallon bucket. Drill air holes in the lid.
- Start with a base of moist shredded newspaper or cardboard.
- Add in a pound of red wiggler worms (these are perfect for composting).
- Add fruit and veggie scraps, crushed eggshells, and coffee grounds as needed.
Are Paper Towels Compostable?
Yes, paper towels are compostable, though what you clean up with them makes a difference. If you used paper towels to clean up pet waste or spilled milk, for example, steer clear of adding them to your compost pile.
The Environmental Benefits of Composting at Home
Composting requires a little set-up and some ongoing work, but it’s a great investment for your home and the environment. Just a few of the benefits of maintaining your compost pile are:
- Recycles food scraps more sustainably
- Keeps leaves, food scraps, and other waste out of landfills
- Saves money on topsoil and reduces the need to use fertilizer and pesticides
- Supports healthier soil, prevents erosion, and improves your yard, garden or landscaping
- Sequesters carbon in the soil
Traverse City Composting Resources
Oryana offers free compost every May (dates vary, subscribe to our newsletter for updates), as well as recurring composting classes in partnership with our friends at SEEDS. You can also contact Carter’s Compost or connect with other Traverse City composting organizations.
Do Your Part (and Have Fun Doing It)
Oryana Community Co-op is committed to providing environmentally friendly products and supporting ecologically responsible practices, including composting. We love helping our owners and shoppers make sustainable choices whenever possible, from the store shelf to creating an indoor compost bin at home! Subscribe to our newsletter and check out upcoming classes to learn more ways to lower your household’s environmental impact!
