How to Create, Maintain and Use Compost

It's easy to start a compost pile in your yard. With a bit of maintenance, you can produce your own homemade compost to use in next year's garden. Follow these steps to get started.

Decide whether you want to build or purchase a compost bin or compost tumbler. To build a compost bin, you can use wood to create a frame and line it with chicken wire. Be sure that the holes in the chicken wire are smaller than the size of a quarter to avoid attracting pests. Another option is to make wood bins — with or without a bottom — to contain the compost.

If you'd rather buy a compost bin, consider a compost tumbler, which makes it easier to turn the compost. Like traditional compost bins, they keep the compost pile contained and neat while protecting the compost from weather and animals. Traditional stationary compost bins and compost tumblers both retain heat and moisture for faster composting, holding in odors.

In addition to building or purchasing a compost bin, select an area for your compost pile or bin. Look for a spot that gets a lot of sunlight and has nearby access to water.

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Consider setting up two compost areas: one for compost that is being added to and another for compost that is ready for use as a soil amendment.

A person putting coffee grounds in a compost bucket.

Collect kitchen scraps for the compost pile in an airtight container, countertop composter or plastic bag. Storing your kitchen compost bin or bag of scraps in the refrigerator or freezer will prevent odors and give you flexibility in using them. For more efficient composting, cut large food scraps into smaller pieces.

Scraps and other materials added to compost fall into two categories — greens and browns — and a healthy compost depends on a balance between the two. An easy way to prepare scraps is to separate greens and browns.

Greens are the wet, nitrogen-rich scraps that feed the microorganisms in the compost. They include fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and tea bags, eggshells (rinsed of whites and yolks), grass and green leaves. Browns are dry, carbon-rich additions such as shredded newspaper (not glossy magazines), egg cartons, cardboard, pine needles, sawdust, dried leaves, straw and fireplace ashes.

Allow the compost materials to decompose before use. The compost should look dark, feel crumbly and smell earthy. The process typically takes a few months, depending on the ingredients and your climate. Don't use compost before it’s ready because decomposing ingredients can attract pests.

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To make sure there is sufficient moisture, examine a clump of the material. It should be damp, but not soggy or drippy.

Once you've finished the compost, there are several ways you can use it.

As a Mulch: Spread two to three inches of compost around plants to help keep the roots moist and cool and to prevent weeds. Replenish compost mulch once or twice a year as it breaks down.
As a Soil Amendment: Enrich soil with compost; flowers, vegetables and fruits will benefit from the added nutrients and beneficial microbes contained in the compost.
As a Tonic: Create a compost tea by soaking a shovelful of compost in a bucket of water for three to four days. Pour the liquid over your plants for a quick, nutritious supplement.
As a Fertilizer: Spread about one inch of compost on your lawn, and rake it into the grass as a quick fertilizer. This is especially effective when done immediately after aerating the lawn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Take a look at the answers to these common composting questions to help you get started.

How Long Does It Take to Compost?

Expect compost to take around two months to break down, although the time may be longer or shorter depending on your climate and the materials you use. Compost breaks down faster in the summer and slower in the winter. Keep in mind that continuously mixing kitchen scraps and yard waste to your compost pile can slow the process. Consider keeping up two piles — one that you're actively adding material to and one that you're finishing.

How Can I Avoid Compost Odors?

The best way to avoid unpleasant odors is to leave strong-smelling items — meat, bones, dairy, cooked foods and oils — out of the compost. Additionally, be sure to layer greens — fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and other wet items — with browns — dried leaves, cardboard and other dry items — to allow air to flow and avoid a soggy compost pile. A smelly compost pile is usually remedied with the addition of browns.

Can You Compost Coffee Grounds and Eggshells?

Coffee grounds and eggshells both make great compost. Do not put bleached coffee filters or coffee pods into the compost. Be sure to rinse eggshells before you add them to the pile. You can also add fruit and vegetable scraps, cut flowers and nutshells to your compost.

How to Make Your Own Compost