Composting Basics

Composting transforms kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich soil amendment, reducing landfill waste while creating free garden gold. Choosing the right composter depends on your space, timeline, and gardening scale.

Composter Types

Bin Composters - Enclosed bins; fastest decomposition; moderate cost.

Tumbler Composters - Rotating drums; very fast; easy mixing; higher cost.

Open Piles - Free but slow and less controlled.

Worm Bins - Compact vermicomposting; space-efficient; produces liquid fertilizer.

What to Compost

Green Matter - Grass clippings, food scraps, coffee grounds (nitrogen).

Brown Matter - Leaves, wood chips, cardboard (carbon).

Avoid - Meat, dairy, oils, diseased plants.

Timeline

Open piles take 6-12 months. Bin composters need 2-6 months. Tumblers produce finished compost in 4-8 weeks with regular turning. Worm bins continuously produce ready-to-use castings.

Choosing Your Composter

For small spaces: worm bin or tumbler. For large gardens: bin composter or open pile. For speed: tumbler. Start small and expand if needed—most gardeners benefit from starting simple.