Author: If you are tired of throwing away your food scraps and want to start composting successfully, I’m sharing my top 3 methods to help you get going! Whether you have a small apartment patio or 100 acres, there is a composting method here for you!
10 years ago when I started dreaming of a homestead, I knew that gardening was going to be a major part of that dream. Though I had always water bath and pressured canned food purchased at the grocery store, I didn’t want that to be my long-term source of food.
Thankfully we found the Back to Eden gardening method early on and it’s been 9 amazing years of growing food!
I also knew that I wanted to be as self-sufficient as possible, which meant that I didn’t want to buy compost year after year.
So I needed to start making it myself. And that’s just what we did!
If you’re in the same boat, either from a desire for more self-sufficiency or just because you don’t want to add to the landfills, this post is for you!
Here are three of our favorite methods for composting. Read through each one and let’s find the one that fits your life the best.
How to Start Composting
There are several different methods for composting with each one having its own benefits. Let’s take a look at them in detail so you can determine which is best for your situation!
Bucket Composting
This method uses just a 5-gallon bucket (or 2) and is perfect if you don’t have a lot of space for a compost pile but still want to keep your food scraps out of the landfill!
- Get a Bucket – First, secure a 5-gallon bucket (or several, depending on how many scraps you have). We already had quite a few of these so this step was free for us, but you can get them from the hardware store for about $6-7, or for free from bakeries who get a lot of their ingredients delivered in these buckets! You can also get them from Azure Standard in bulk, and these can then also be used for direct food storage!
- Drill Drainage Holes – Get a large drill bit (we used a half inch) and drill several holes in the bottom and in the side. This will allow airflow and drainage. If you don’t have a bit, you can also use a screw and bore out a hole several times to make it larger.
- Add Some Carbon – Add a layer of leaves to the bottom. Then add your food scraps to the bucket daily! Note: You’ll want to add a handful of leaves with each addition of food scraps, and you will want to turn the compost frequently. We do this with each addition of scraps by putting the lid on the bucket and shaking it around a few times.
- Repeat – Once the bucket is halfway full, you’ll want to start a new one and let the first one actually turn into compost. Continue to turn it frequently, even after you stop adding scraps.
- Use – Then when it’s a nice black compost, you can turn it out into a flower bed or vegetable patch and start again!
Traditional Composting
If you have a bit more space, traditional composting might be just the way to go! This is a great option for those with more kitchen scraps than average, for example, those who do a lot of canning.
- Pick a Space – Choose a suitable spot in your backyard or garden to create a compost bin or pile, one with a good mix of sun and shade.
- Layer Materials – In order to keep the compost processing (and not just rotting), it’s important to alternate between nitrogen-rich green materials (kitchen scraps) and carbon-rich brown materials (dried leaves). To easily do this, just add some leaves every few times you add scraps!
- Keep It Moving – Another important part of helping your compost along is to regularly “turn” or mix the compost pile. This helps ensure proper aeration and airflow which is crucial in aiding the decomposition process.
- Repeat – As with the bucket method, you will need to eventually start a new pile, so that the current pile can finish composting. You may be able to just have 2 piles, but often 3 piles are needed to get a good compost rotation going.
- Use – Once you have that dark black soil that is all (or mostly) broken down into compost, it’s time to use it in your garden! This is the perfect layer for feeding your new plants and helps boost their growth must faster than planting in just plain soil.
Note: You can build a containment area for the compost, using wood or mesh, but it’s not strictly necessary. You can also just pile the scraps and leaves on the ground. Just make sure you have a thick enough pile that the middle can heat up to help break down the materials.
Using Chicken for Composting
If you have chickens and would like to compost, this method is going to be the best option for you and your chickens! Not only will they get some scraps, but they can also help those scraps turn into compost while adding their own manure to the mix.
It’s also a minimal-effort option for composting, as the chickens will do most (if not all) of the work of turning.
- Designate a Compost Area – Allocate a section in the chicken coop or run for composting purposes. This can be a designated corner or an enclosed compost bin to keep materials contained. Yes, the chickens will scratch through it, but have a place you put scraps each time.
- Add Kitchen Scraps and Yard Waste – Introduce kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, along with yard waste like leaves and small prunings, directly into the designated compost area.
- Give Chickens Access – Chickens have the perfect tools, sharp beaks and strong claws, that will allow them to naturally turn and mix compost materials as they forage for insects and food scraps. This means, no turning for you!
- Repeat – As you build up your pile, don’t continue to add scraps to the same pile forever. Instead, create a decent-sized pile and then move to another space to allow the first to break down properly. The chickens will still dig through the old one even after you stop putting food in it since there will be plenty of bugs there!
- Harvest – Once the composting process is complete, harvest the finished compost from the designated area. This nutrient-rich material can be used to enhance soil quality in your garden areas!
Common Questions
Now that you have an idea of which method you might want to use, here are some common questions that people have about composing in general.
It’s advisable to avoid composting meat and dairy in traditional compost piles. However, if you are using chickens to compost, they can handle these materials.
Regular turning promotes aeration and speeds up decomposition. Aim to turn your traditional compost pile every few weeks.
Yes, compost can be an excellent addition to indoor potted plants. Ensure it’s well-composted to avoid any potential odors!
Bury kitchen scraps in the center of the compost pile, cover with browns, and avoid adding meat or oily foods to deter pests. If you are using chickens for composting though, don’t do this!
Composting slows down in winter, but it’s still possible. Insulate the compost pile with straw or leaves and consider using a compost bin to retain heat.
Yes, but it’s crucial to ensure your compost pile reaches high temperatures to kill weed seeds and pathogens. Avoid composting severely diseased plants to prevent the spread of diseases.
Even More Gardening Ideas
New to growing your own food, or just looking for a change? Here are a few of our favorite gardening posts to keep you going!
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Great idea, thanks for sharing!