How to Make Compost at Home (For Beginners), by HEART GARDEN on YouTube. 8 min 17 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 17 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes to set up, then 2 t
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Pick a spot or system that fits your space. An open pile or basic bin works in a yard, while a tumbler suits small gardens and balconies. Place it on soil or bare ground so worms and drainage can work.
Start with a layer of browns about 15 cm deep. Use dry leaves, shredded cardboard, straw or small twigs. This base soaks up moisture and keeps the pile from turning slimy.
Add kitchen scraps as your greens layer. Fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, tea leaves and fresh grass clippings all work. Keep the layer thin, around 5 cm, so it breaks down fast.
Aim for roughly two to three parts browns to one part greens by volume. Mix them together rather than stacking neat layers. If the pile looks wet and smells sour, add more browns.
Chop or tear larger pieces before adding them. Cut melon rinds, whole leaves and cardboard into smaller chunks. Smaller pieces break down faster and heat the pile more evenly.
Keep the pile as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Squeeze a handful to check. Add water in dry weather and more browns when it is too wet.
Turn the pile every one to two weeks with a fork or aerator. Turning adds oxygen, which keeps the microbes working and reduces smells. Mix the outside material into the centre.
Fix problems as they appear. A smelly pile usually needs more browns and more air. A pile that never heats up needs more greens and a good turn.
Stop adding new material when the bin is full and let it finish. Keep it moist and turn it occasionally. Finished compost is dark, crumbly and smells earthy, with no recognisable scraps.
Use the finished compost as a soil topping or mix it into planting beds. Sift out any large unfinished pieces and add them back to a new pile.
Tips and common mistakes
Never put meat, dairy, cooked food, pet waste or diseased plants in a backyard pile, as these attract pests and can spread problems.
Keep a small lidded container in the kitchen and empty it every few days to avoid fruit flies and smells.
Wear gloves when turning the pile and wash your hands afterwards, since compost can contain mould and bacteria.
Composting takes longer in cold weather, so expect two to six months in warm conditions and longer in winter.
Questions
How long does it take to make compost?
A well-managed pile can finish in two to three months in warm weather. Cooler climates and less frequent turning can stretch this to six months or more.
Why does my compost smell bad?
A sour or rotten smell usually means the pile is too wet or has too many greens. Add dry browns, turn the pile and check the moisture.
Can I compost in a small space?
Yes. A sealed tumbler or a small bin works on a balcony or patio. Keep the same greens and browns balance and turn it regularly.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
