9.9 How to compost at home: How to use organic waste in compost

Home composting is an incredibly effective way to reduce food waste and household waste, while creating a rich organic compost for your plants and garden. But how can you start composting at home? Here's a step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Choose the location and container

First, you need to choose a suitable location for your compost pile. Ideally, it should be in an easily accessible but out of the way location, and in an area that has good drainage. You will also need a compost bin. This can be a store-bought compost bin or a homemade wooden bin. Make sure it has a lid to keep out moisture and prevent animals from getting into the compost.

Step 2: Add your organic waste

Organic waste that you can add to your compost includes fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, leaves, and grass clippings. Avoid adding meat, dairy, oils and fats as they can attract pests and produce unpleasant odors.

Step 3: Balance the 'green' and 'brown' materials

For successful composting, you need to balance nitrogen-rich 'green' materials (such as fruit and vegetable scraps) with carbon-rich 'brown' materials (such as dry leaves and paper). A good rule of thumb is to try to have a ratio of two-thirds brown materials to one-third green materials.

Step 4: Keep the compost moist and airy

Compost needs moisture and air to decompose properly. Keep the compost moist but not soggy, adding water if necessary. Turn the compost regularly with a shovel or fork to help aerate and speed up the decomposition process.

Step 5: Wait for the compost to be ready

Composting can take anywhere from a few months to a year to complete, depending on conditions. You'll know the compost is ready when it looks and smells like rich, dark earth.

Step 6: Use compost in your garden

Once the compost is ready, you can use it to enrich the soil in your garden or vegetable garden. Compost makes an excellent organic fertilizer, full of nutrients that plants love.

In summary, composting at home is a simple and rewarding process that can help reduce waste and improve the health of your garden. With a little patience and practice, you can become a master composter and contribute to a greener, more sustainable planet.