Como to Start Composting in a Small Backyard

Composting turns kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich soil amendment. Even a small backyard has room for a compost system that reduces waste and feeds your garden.

Choosing a Method

Open piles work in larger spaces but can look messy. Enclosed bins contain the compost and reduce odor. Tumblers speed up the process and are the tidiest option for small yards. For very small spaces, a worm bin (vermicomposting) fits under a deck or in a garage.

What to Compost

Green materials (nitrogen-rich): kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, fresh grass clippings, and plant trimmings. Brown materials (carbon-rich): dried leaves, cardboard, newspaper, and straw. Aim for roughly three parts brown to one part green by volume.

Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods in outdoor composting. These attract pests and produce odor. Diseased plants and weeds that have gone to seed should also stay out.

Getting Started

Place your bin or pile on bare soil so worms and microorganisms can access the compost from below. Start with a layer of brown material about six inches deep. Add a layer of green material. Continue alternating layers. Water each layer so it feels like a wrung-out sponge.

Maintaining the Pile

Turn the compost every one to two weeks with a pitchfork or by spinning the tumbler. Turning introduces oxygen, which speeds decomposition. If the compost smells bad, it is too wet or has too much green material. Add browns and turn more frequently.

If the pile is dry and not decomposing, add water and more green material. A healthy compost pile should feel warm in the center and have an earthy smell.

When Is It Ready

Finished compost looks dark brown, crumbles easily, and smells like fresh earth. You should not be able to identify the original materials. This typically takes three to six months in an active pile, or six to twelve months in a passive pile that is rarely turned.

Using Compost

Mix finished compost into garden beds before planting. Use it as a top-dressing around established plants. Add it to potting soil for containers. Compost improves drainage in clay soil and water retention in sandy soil. It feeds plants slowly and builds soil health over time.