Your Food Forest Starts with Compost

Whether you are an experienced gardener or just getting started, composting is an easy, low cost way to improve your soil quality.  In this blog post, I will cover the basics of composting so that you can get started.

So, what is composting all about?

Composting is what happens when food scraps, leaves, and grass clippings break down and mix together to create rich, nutrient-dense, food for your soil. 

Here are 5 things that you need to get started:

1. A compost bin or pile: You can make your own compost bin by using a container with a lid or building a pile in your yard.  I recommended two five gallon buckets if you are in a small space, or buying a compost bin at a garden center or online.

2. Food and garden scraps: This is where your waste comes in, including fruit and vegetable peels, coffee ground and filters, eggshells, grass clippings, dry leaves, sticks, and more.  To keep your compost balanced, it is important to have green materials like fruit and vegetable scraps and brown materials like leaves and twigs to help the compost break down.

3. Soil: Add some soil to your bin to help introduce good bacteria to your compost.

4. Water:  Water your compost regularly, about once per week, especially during dry periods. Compost needs to stay moist to encourage the growth of microorganisms. 

5. Air flow:  Make sure to have holes in whatever container you are using or, if you have built a compost pile, turn your compost every few weeks to allow the air to circulate.

Once you have all of these things, it’s time to start composting. 

Building your compost: A Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Choose a spot for your compost bin or pile. It should be in a partially shaded area, between 45-85 degrees F, with good drainage.

Step 2: Add a layer of brown materials to the bottom of your bin or pile. Shredded paper, dried leaves, or newspaper all work well and will help with drainage to keep the compost from staying too wet.   

Step 3: Add a layer of green materials on top of the brown layer. This can be your food waste including coffee, peels, and eggshells. Avoid citrus like orange, lemon, or pineapple peels. Even though they are compostable, they attract fruit flies to the bin.

Step 4: Add a thin layer of soil or compost on top of the green layer.

Step 5: Continue to layer brown and green materials, making sure to keep the compost moist but not too wet.

Step 6: Turn the compost about every 2 weeks with a garden fork or shovel to introduce air and help the organic matter break down.

When is the compost ready?

After a few months, your compost should start to look like dark, crumbly soil. It's ready to use in your garden!

In addition to reducing waste and improving your soil quality, your compost will have other benefits too including:

1. reducing how much you have to water your garden

2. keeping your food waste out of landfills

3. reducing greenhouse gases

Composting is an easy and eco-friendly way to improve your soil quality and reduce your environmental impact. With a few basic materials and some patience, you can turn your food waste into nutrient-dense soil that will help your plants be healthy and strong. So why not give composting a try today? Your garden (and the planet) will thank you!