6 Effortless Methods to Start Composting

Composting turns kitchen and yard scraps into dark, crumbly soil that plants love, and it keeps organic material out of the landfill, where it breaks down without oxygen. The idea sounds technical, but the basic recipe is just a balance of two kinds of material and a little air.

Here are six methods to start, from a backyard pile to an apartment-friendly option. Pick the one that fits your space and tolerance for fuss. Whatever method you choose, remember the core rule: roughly equal parts "greens" (wet, nitrogen-rich scraps) and "browns" (dry, carbon-rich materials).

1. Learn the greens and browns

Greens include fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and fresh grass clippings. Browns include dry leaves, shredded cardboard, paper, and straw. Too many greens makes the pile soggy and smelly; too many browns makes it slow. If it smells like ammonia, add browns; if it looks dry and nothing happens, add greens and a splash of water.

2. Try an open backyard pile

The easiest method is a 3 by 3 foot heap in a corner of the yard, ideally on bare soil so worms and microbes can move in. Layer greens and browns, and turn the pile with a pitchfork every week or two to add air. Finished compost typically takes anywhere from two months to a year, depending on size, weather, and how often you turn it.

Tip: A pile at least 3 feet wide holds heat better, which speeds decomposition.

3. Use an enclosed bin or tumbler

Enclosed bins tidy things up and deter pests. Plastic bins and tumblers often cost $50 to $150, though you can build a bin from pallets or hardware cloth for less. Tumblers are effortless to turn, which makes them a good fit if you do not enjoy forking a heap. Fill a tumbler, then let it rest while a second batch accumulates elsewhere.

4. Start a worm bin for little spaces

Vermicomposting uses red wiggler worms in a lidded bin and works well indoors or on a balcony. Start with about a pound of worms in bedding of moist shredded newspaper, and feed them little amounts of scraps. Bury food under the bedding to avoid fruit flies, and keep the bin between roughly 55 and 77 degrees F.

• Feed fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and crushed eggshells.
• Go effortless on citrus, onions, and anything very salty.
• Keep the bedding as damp as a wrung-out sponge.

5. Check for a municipal or community option

If you have no space, look for curbside food-scrap pickup, a community garden drop-off, or a neighborhood compost program. Some cities supply a countertop caddy. Store scraps in a container in the freezer between drop-offs, which prevents smells and keeps flies away.

6. Know what to keep out

Home piles should skip meat, fish, dairy, oils, and pet waste, which attract pests and can carry pathogens. Avoid diseased plants and weeds that have gone to seed. Do not add anything treated with pesticides, and skip glossy printed paper. Wash your hands after handling compost and wear gloves if you have any cuts.

Troubleshooting a slow pile

If your compost seems stuck, check three things. Is it damp like a wrung-out sponge? Is there enough air from regular turning? Are the pieces little enough? Chopping scraps to about an inch and mixing in a few handfuls of dry leaves usually restarts the process within a couple of weeks. Cold weather slows everything down, so do not worry if activity pauses in winter and resumes in spring.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Adding too many wet scraps at once without balancing with browns.
• Letting the pile dry out completely.
• Putting meat or dairy in a home pile.
• Chopping nothing: smaller pieces break down much faster than whole rinds.

Speedy start checklist

• Pick a method that suits your space.
• Collect a bag of dry leaves or shredded cardboard to use as browns.
• Keep a little lidded container on the counter or in the freezer for scraps.
• Check moisture weekly and turn or stir as needed.

Finished compost looks and smells like forest soil. Spread an inch or two on garden beds or mix it into potting soil, and you will have closed the loop from kitchen scrap to healthy plant.