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I used to think composting simply meant tossing food scraps into some sort of bin, waiting for several months, give or take, and voila! Out would come rich, dark dirt. Not that composting is much more complex than that, but there are some general dos and don'ts, some best practices, and more than one way to do it. Who knew?
In the world of composting, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you're a city dweller with limited space, a gardening enthusiast wanting to turn yard and garden waste into soil gold, or a conscientious homeowner looking for an efficient way to manage kitchen scraps rather than tossing them in the trash, there's a composting method suited to your needs.
In today's guide, we'll explore various ways to make compost, from traditional backyard composting to more specialized techniques like vermicomposting and bokashi. Each type of composting offers advantages ("pros"), has limitations and requirements ("cons"), and is adaptable to different lifestyles and levels of compostable material.
1. Traditional Backyard Composting
Traditional backyard composting is one of the most popular methods for turning organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. All you need is a designated area in your yard or a compost bin, whether it's a DIY bin or a manufactured one, like a dual-chamber compost tumbler. Simply layer organic materials such as kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, yard and garden waste, and shredded paper or cardboard for a good mix of nitrogen-rich "greens" and carbon-rich "browns." Regularly turning and monitoring the pile's temperature and moisture levels will speed up the decomposition process. Pros:
Bins come in various designs, allowing you to choose one that fits with your outdoor space
Helps keep your compost pile tidy and contained, preventing it from spreading or attracting pests
Helps insulate the compost pile, promoting and maintaining the ideal temperature range for decomposition
Allows you to manage the composting process and control the quality of the compost
Cons:
Can produce odor
Requires some maintenance
Requires a balance of greens and browns by weight, ideally half and half
Decomposition can be slow (compared to hot composting below) depending on how much attention and maintenance you do, such as turning it
2. Vermicomposting: Composting With Worms
Composting with worms, or vermicomposting, is an excellent option for those with limited outdoor space or who want to compost indoors. Red wigglers or European nightcrawlers are the stars of this method, devouring kitchen scraps and transforming them into nutrient-rich castings. Setting up a vermicomposting bin involves choosing the right container, adding bedding materials like shredded paper, and introducing the worms. Regular feeding and maintenance will keep your worm bin thriving. Pros:
Produces rich compost, excellent for improving poor or depleted soils
Can be done in a small indoor area
Results in less loss of nitrogen compared with traditional composting
Cons:
Can be a little more complicated than traditional composting and requires constant maintenance
Doesn't kill weed seeds
Can be too rich in nutrients and, therefore, potentially counterproductive for plants if you add too much to existing soil that is already on the healthier side
3. Bokashi Composting: Fermenting Kitchen Waste
Bokashi offers a unique approach to composting by fermenting kitchen waste using beneficial microbes. Airtight containers are filled with layers of kitchen scraps and bokashi bran, initiating an anaerobic fermentation process. This method allows for composting meat, dairy, and cooked foods that traditional methods may not handle well.
Once fermented, the material can be buried in soil or added to a traditional compost pile to complete decomposition. You can also make Bokashi "tea" to water plants. You can either buy a commercial Bokashi composter like this 2-Bin Bokashi Starter Kit or this Premium Bokashi Kitchen Composter or make one yourself. Here's how…
Pros:
Allows you to compost meat and dairy scraps
Provides a nutritious bokashi tea to use as homemade plant food
Can be done in a small space, making it ideal for composting in an apartment
Cons:
Requires a special bokashi mixture, which can be expensive and difficult to find in some areas.
Requires extra materials (finished compost, compost fleece, or mulch)
4. Trench Composting: Directly Enriching Soil
Trench composting involves burying organic materials directly into the soil. This method requires no dedicated compost bin or pile and is great for enriching garden beds or preparing planting holes over time. This method is pretty straightforward. Simply dig a trench or hole, drop in compostable material, and then cover it with soil. The idea is that when the soil cuts off air, anaerobic bacteria break down the organic matter. The buried materials will decompose, enriching the soil and providing nutrients to plants.
There are different methods of trench composting, and some involve building up layers over several weeks. For example, deep trench composting involves digging a deeper trench and usually involves layers being built up over several weeks. You add food scraps or other organic materials, add an inch of soil, and then put a barrier, such as a pest-proof mesh, on top to discourage critters. You continue layering until you have nearly filled the trench. When about 5-6 inches are left, fill in the soil until the trench is full. This provides enough soil covering for plants to grow after adding the compostable materials. Wait at least six weeks before planting on top (some sources say wait as long as a year). This allows the organic material to decompose and enrich the soil.
Pros:
Low-maintenance and cost-effective
Great for adding nutrients to the soil without having to spread a lot of compost or deal with a compost heap or bin
Typically does not produce odor or attract animals
Cons:
Can be hard work, digging deep holes and then filling them up again
Slower decomposition than aerobic methods
5. Hot Composting: Rapid Decomposition for Larger Batches
Hot composting is ideal for those who generate larger amounts of organic waste and want a faster composting process. Though it requires more attention and maintenance than traditional backyard composting, this method can produce finished compost in as little as a few weeks by carefully layering greens and browns, providing adequate aeration, and maintaining proper moisture levels.
When it comes to hot composting, the size of your bin or pile is really important. A good size for this method is at least four feet wide by four feet high. This size ensures there's enough insulation on the outside of the pile to keep the inside hot. You can just heap the materials up or use a simple wire fence bin. You can also build a large hot compost bin from wood or pallets.
It's beneficial to break down compostable materials into small pieces, for example, using a lawnmower or trimmer for yard waste, before adding it to the pile or bin. Create layers of four to six inches of carbon and nitrogen materials, add water to each layer, and repeat until the pile is about 4'x4'.
Insert a compost thermometer into the pile, cover it with a tarp, and check the temperature daily to see if it reaches 120 Fahrenheit or more.
Move the pile over a few feet with a pitchfork to introduce new oxygen, and repeat this twice after four to five days when the temperature drops.
Pros:
Produces faster results
Heat kills many types of weeds and pathogens
Generally attracts fewer pests than some other methods
Reduces the emission of greenhouse gases
Cons:
Requires a balance of high-carbon and high-nitrogen materials
Requires regular turning of the pile
Requires careful monitoring of moisture and oxygen levels
6. Aerated Static Pile Composting: Efficient Large-scale Composting
Aerated static pile (ASP) composting is efficient for larger-scale composting operations such as municipalities, farms, or community gardens. This method utilizes aeration to speed up the composting process and reduce odors. Proper pile structure, aeration systems, and monitoring are key components of ASP composting, resulting in high-quality compost suitable for agricultural or landscaping use. For more information on ASP, check out this guide from Washington State University.
Pros:
Accelerates and manages the composting process with a much lower risk of foul odors
Can be a space-efficient way to compost large volumes of waste fairly quickly
Cons:
Dries out faster than other compost methods and requires monitoring
Depends on electricity
Requires extra materials (finished compost, compost fleece, or mulch)
Try Different Ways to Make Compost for More Sustainable Living
Composting is a versatile and accessible way to reduce waste, improve soil health, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or new to composting, there's a method that suits your needs and resources. By exploring different composting techniques and experimenting with various composters, you can harness the power of decomposition to transform waste into valuable soil amendments.
Want to make a DIY compost bin or pile? Here are seven ways to do it.
Composting Techniques FAQs
What is traditional backyard composting, and how does it work? Traditional backyard composting involves layering organic materials such as kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, yard waste, and shredded paper in a compost bin or designated area. Regular turning and monitoring of temperature and moisture levels help speed up the decomposition process, resulting in nutrient-rich compost.
What are the benefits and challenges of vermicomposting? Vermicomposting, or composting with worms, produces nutrient-rich compost and can be done indoors in a small space. It requires constant maintenance and does not kill weed seeds. Additionally, it can produce compost that is too nutrient-rich for some soils if used in excess.
How does Bokashi composting differ from traditional composting methods? Bokashi composting involves fermenting kitchen waste using beneficial microbes in an airtight container. This method allows for composting meat, dairy, and cooked foods, which traditional methods do not handle well. The fermented material can be buried in soil or added to a traditional compost pile to complete decomposition.
What is trench composting, and what are its advantages? Trench composting involves burying organic materials directly into the soil, which enriches garden beds or planting holes over time. It requires no dedicated compost bin, produces no odor, and does not attract animals. However, it involves digging deep holes and has slower decomposition than aerobic methods.
What is hot composting, and how can it speed up the composting process? Hot composting requires maintaining a large compost pile (at least four feet wide by four feet high) with layers of carbon and nitrogen materials. Regular turning, adequate aeration, and maintaining proper moisture levels can produce finished compost in a few weeks. It also kills weeds and pathogens due to the high temperature.
What is aerated static pile (ASP) composting, and who is it suitable for? ASP composting is efficient for large-scale composting operations like municipalities, farms, or community gardens. It uses aeration systems to speed up the process and reduce odors. Proper pile structure and monitoring are key components, making it suitable for handling large volumes of waste quickly.
What are some of the challenges associated with traditional backyard composting? Traditional backyard composting can produce odors, requires a balance of green and brown materials, and needs regular maintenance, such as turning the pile. Decomposition can be slow depending on the level of attention and maintenance given.
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