One of the best things you can do for your garden doesn’t come in a bag from the garden center—it starts with the scraps you already have at home.

Composting is simply the process of turning organic materials like vegetable peels, leaves, and grass clippings into a rich soil amendment that feeds your plants and improves your soil.

When I first started gardening, composting seemed intimidating. There were so many rules about greens and browns, turning piles, and getting the right balance. But over time, I realized that composting is actually much simpler than it sounds.

Today, composting has become an important part of my garden. It helps me recycle kitchen and garden waste, reduce what goes to the landfill, and create nutrient-rich compost that I use throughout my raised beds and containers.

If you’re new to composting, here’s everything you need to know to get started.

What Is Compost?

Compost is decomposed organic matter.

As leaves, kitchen scraps, and other natural materials break down with the help of microorganisms, fungi, insects, and worms, they become a dark, crumbly material often called “black gold” by gardeners.

Finished compost helps improve nearly every type of soil.

Why Compost?

Composting offers many benefits.

It helps:

• Improve soil structure
• Increase water retention
• Improve drainage
• Feed beneficial soil organisms
• Reduce household waste
• Add organic matter
• Support healthier plants
• Reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers

Healthy soil grows healthier plants.

What Can You Compost?

Many everyday materials belong in a compost pile.

Greens

(Nitrogen-Rich Materials)

These include:

• Fruit scraps
• Vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds
• Tea leaves
• Fresh grass clippings
• Fresh garden trimmings
• Crushed eggshells they decompose slowly but are fine to add

Greens provide nitrogen, which helps microorganisms grow.

Browns

(Carbon-Rich Materials)

These include:

• Dry leaves
• Straw
• Shredded cardboard
• Paper towels if free of chemicals
• Paper egg cartons
• Small twigs
• Wood chips in moderation
• Shredded newspaper plain black ink

Browns provide carbon and help keep the pile balanced.

Browns vs. Greens Quick Reference Table

What Should You Avoid Composting?

For most backyard compost piles, avoid:

• Meat
• Fish
• Dairy products
• Grease and oils
• Pet waste
• Diseased plants
• Weeds with mature seeds
• Treated wood
• Charcoal ash
• Large amounts of glossy or coated paper

These materials can attract pests, create odors, or introduce problems into your compost.

Understanding Greens and Browns

One of the biggest composting lessons is learning to balance “greens” and “browns.”

Think of it this way:

• Greens feed the microbes.
• Browns provide energy and structure.

A compost pile made mostly of greens often becomes wet, slimy, and smelly.

A pile made mostly of browns may decompose very slowly.

You don’t have to measure perfectly—simply aim for a good mix of both over time.

Composting Methods

There isn’t just one way to compost.

Choose the method that best fits your space and lifestyle.

Compost Pile

This is probably the simplest way to start composting. Just create a pile in a corner of your yard and gradually add compostable materials like kitchen scraps, leaves, and garden debris.

I personally don’t use this method because I live in an urban setting with an HOA, and I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t be thrilled about seeing a pile of compost materials in my backyard. 😅

Thankfully, you don’t need a big open compost pile to make your own compost. There are plenty of more contained options that work well for small-space and urban gardens.

Compost Bin

A compost bin is a great option if you want to keep your composting materials contained and your garden looking a little neater. It also helps retain moisture and warmth while still allowing oxygen into the pile.

I use an Aerobin, which has a tube-like structure running through the center that helps bring air into the compost without requiring me to constantly turn the pile. Other compost bins may use ventilation holes along the sides to accomplish the same thing.

One feature I really like about mine is the reservoir at the bottom that collects liquid draining from the compost. I can collect and dilute this liquid before using it in the garden. One mistake I made, though, was not elevating the bin when I set it up. That makes accessing the collection point much harder than it needs to be. 😅

I also love the opening near the bottom because I can harvest finished compost without emptying or flipping the entire bin. And because everything is enclosed, it offers much better protection from curious critters like raccoons.

You also don’t need an expensive compost bin to get started.

I have another compost bin that my friend passed on to me from a repurposed trash can. I’ve also turned a few of my broken trash cans into a compost bins. If you’re gardening on a budget, this can work too. This is how I started and I still have them to this day. You’ll need to drill plenty of holes around the container for airflow and drainage. If you have the right tools, you could even DIY an access opening near the bottom.

My biggest complaint about my trash-can version is harvesting the compost. Mine doesn’t have a bottom opening, so getting finished compost out can be a bit of a workout. 😂

It may not be the prettiest composting setup, but it works—and sometimes using what you already have is the best place to start. 

Compost Tumbler

Compost tumblers make turning your compost much easier and, when you maintain the right balance of materials, can help speed up decomposition.

I use a compost tumbler from Maze Products because it’s tidy, easy to manage, and works really well in my small-space garden. If you’re gardening on a deck or patio and don’t have room for a traditional compost pile, a tumbler can be a great option.

One of my favorite features is the geared handle, which makes turning the tumbler much easier than trying to rotate a heavy bin by hand.

I also love the compost cart underneath it. When the compost is ready, I can empty it directly into the cart and easily move it wherever I need it in the garden.

The cart can also catch liquid that drains from the tumbler, which I can collect and appropriately dilute before using around my plants.

For a small-space gardener who wants to compost kitchen and garden waste without having a big pile sitting in the yard, a compost tumbler is definitely one of my favorite options.

Worm Composting (Vermicomposting)

Worm composting, or vermicomposting, uses red wiggler worms to turn kitchen scraps and other organic materials into nutrient-rich worm castings. 🪱

There are enclosed vermicomposting systems that work well for apartments and small spaces. I don’t have one of those yet, so I can’t share much about that particular setup from personal experience.

What I do use are in-ground worm composters in several of my raised beds.

They’re a great option if you don’t have room in your yard for a separate compost bin but still want to turn some of your kitchen scraps into something useful for the garden. They do take up a little planting space depending on the size, but for me, they’re worth it.

The concept is simple: I add kitchen scraps and other appropriate organic materials into the buried bin, and the red wigglers help break them down. Because the worms can move between the composter and the surrounding soil, they leave castings throughout the bed as they go.

It’s one of my favorite low-maintenance ways to continually add organic matter to my raised bed soil. Most of the work is simply keeping the worms supplied with appropriate food and making sure their environment doesn’t become too wet, dry, hot, or overloaded with scraps.

I currently use an in-ground worm composter from Vego Garden, but you definitely don’t need to buy one to try this method.

I’ve made DIY versions from old coffee canisters and takeout containers by adding openings that allow the worms to move in and out. They’re inexpensive and a great way to experiment with vermicomposting.

If you want something more durable and made specifically for long-term use in a raised bed, I prefer the Vego Garden in-ground worm composter.

Whether you DIY it or buy one, it’s a pretty amazing little system: feed the worms your scraps, and let them help feed your soil.

Kitchen Composters

Electric kitchen composters, like the Vego Smart Kitchen Composter, offer another way to process food scraps, especially when you don’t have much outdoor composting space.

They work differently from traditional composting. Instead of relying on microorganisms to slowly decompose organic materials, electric composters use heat, drying, and grinding to rapidly reduce food scraps into a much smaller material. That’s why Vego Garden refers to the finished material from its machine as “Vego Meal” rather than finished compost.

The material isn’t the same as fully decomposed compost, but it can be added to a composting system or incorporated into garden soil following the manufacturer’s directions.

I mainly use mine when I want to process all the eggshells I’ve collected for the garden. I usually combine them with spent coffee grounds, tea, and whatever other suitable kitchen scraps I have available.

There are limitations to what you can put into an electric kitchen composter, so I always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. I also like to cut larger scraps into smaller pieces before adding them because it makes them easier for the machine to process.

For me, this doesn’t replace traditional composting. It’s simply another tool in my composting system, especially when I want to quickly reduce the volume of kitchen scraps before returning those materials to the garden. 

Where Should You Place a Compost Bin?

Choose a location that is:

• Easy to access
• Well-drained
• Convenient to your garden
• Partially shaded if possible

You’ll be much more likely to compost consistently if the bin is easy to reach.

How to Start Composting

Getting started is simple.

1. Add a layer of browns.
2. Add a layer of greens.
3. Repeat as materials become available.
4. Water lightly if the pile becomes dry.
5. Turn occasionally to introduce oxygen.

If you’re able to cut the materials into smaller pieces, it will make it easier to turn and they will breakdown faster. Nature does most of the work.

Does Compost Need Water?

Yes.

Your compost pile should feel similar to a wrung-out sponge.

If it’s:

• Too dry, decomposition slows.
• Too wet, the pile may smell unpleasant.

Aim for consistent moisture—not soggy conditions.

Why Turning the Pile Helps

Turning introduces oxygen.

This helps:

• Speed decomposition
• Reduce odors
• Mix materials evenly
• Prevent compacted areas

Although turning speeds the process, compost will still break down if left mostly undisturbed—it just takes longer.

How Long Does Compost Take?

The timeline depends on:

• Temperature
• Moisture
• Material size
• Oxygen
• The balance of greens and browns

A well-managed pile may produce finished compost in 2 to 4 months, while a less-managed pile may take 6 to 12 months or longer.

How Do You Know Compost Is Finished?

Finished compost is usually:

• Dark brown to nearly black
• Crumbly
• Earthy smelling
• Cool to the touch
• Difficult to recognize as the original materials

If you can still clearly identify many of the ingredients, it needs more time.

Common Compost Problems

The Pile Smells Bad

Possible causes:

• Too many greens
• Too much moisture
• Lack of oxygen

Add more browns and turn the pile.

Nothing Is Happening

Possible causes:

• Too dry
• Too many browns
• Cold weather
• Not enough nitrogen

Add greens and check the moisture.

The Pile Is Attracting Pests

Usually caused by adding:

• Meat
• Dairy
• Oily foods

Stick to plant-based kitchen scraps for backyard compost.

How to Use Finished Compost

Once finished, compost can be used to:

• Improve garden beds
• Top-dress raised beds
• Mix into potting soil
• Feed vegetable gardens
• Improve flower beds
• Mulch around established plants

It’s one of the best soil amendments you can add.

My Composting Journey

Composting has completely changed how I think about garden waste.

Instead of seeing leaves, vegetable scraps, and spent plants as trash, I now see them as future soil.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with several composting methods, including tumblers and larger composting systems, and I’ve found that the best method is the one you’ll actually use consistently.

Every batch of finished compost reminds me that healthy gardens begin with healthy soil.

Beginner Composting Checklist

• Choose a composting method.
• Collect kitchen scraps.
• Save dry leaves or cardboard.
• Alternate greens and browns.
• Keep the pile moist.
• Turn occasionally.
• Be patient.
• Use finished compost throughout your garden.

Final Thoughts

Composting is one of the simplest ways to improve your garden while reducing household waste.

You don’t need perfect ratios or expensive equipment to get started. Just begin with what you have, keep adding organic materials, and let nature do the rest.

The compost you make today will help grow healthier vegetables, flowers, herbs, and fruit for seasons to come.

If you’re just beginning your gardening journey, composting is one habit that’s well worth developing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is composting difficult?

No. Composting is surprisingly simple once you understand the basics. Nature does most of the work.

What is the easiest way to start composting?

A compost bin or tumbler is one of the easiest methods for beginners because it keeps everything contained and easy to manage.

Can I compost kitchen scraps?

Yes. Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and crushed eggshells are excellent additions to a compost pile.

Why does my compost smell bad?

Bad odors usually indicate too many green materials, excess moisture, or poor airflow. Adding more browns and turning the pile often solves the problem.

How long does compost take to finish?

Depending on conditions, compost can take anywhere from 2 months to a year to fully mature.

Can I compost in a small backyard?

Absolutely. Compost tumblers, worm bins, and compact compost bins make composting possible even in small spaces.

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• Why Compost Is One of the Best Things You Can Add to Your Garden
• Compost vs. Fertilizer: What’s the Difference?
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