Composting Basics for Beginners: How to Start a Compost Pile the Right Way, by Compost or Not on YouTube. 4 min 49 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 49 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Pick a level, well-drained spot in part shade, away from your house. A bin or open pile both work, but a bin keeps things tidy and holds moisture.
Start with a layer of browns about 15 to 20 cm deep. Dry leaves, shredded cardboard, straw or small twigs give the pile its structure and carbon.
Add a layer of greens such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds or fresh grass clippings. Aim for roughly two or three parts browns to one part greens by volume.
Mix the layers together with a fork instead of leaving them stacked. Chopping scraps and leaves smaller speeds up the breakdown.
Water the pile until it feels like a wrung-out sponge. Add water in small amounts and turn it in, since a soggy pile goes slimy and smelly.
Turn the pile with your fork every week or two to add air. Hot piles heat up in the middle within days, while cold piles just sit and break down slowly.
Keep out meat, fish, dairy, oils, pet waste, diseased plants and weeds with seeds. These attract pests, smell, or spread problems back into your garden.
If the pile smells, it is too wet or short of air. Turn it, mix in more browns, and hold off on watering for a while.
If nothing is happening, add greens and a little water, then turn it. Small pieces and warmth speed things up.
Use the compost when it is dark, crumbly and smells earthy, usually after a few months. Dig it into beds or spread it as a thin top layer.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep a small lidded container in the kitchen for scraps and empty it every day or two to avoid fruit flies.
Bury food scraps in the middle of the pile rather than leaving them on top, which invites animals.
Turn the pile more often in summer and less in winter, when cold slows everything down.
Questions
Why does my compost bin smell bad?
It is usually too wet or packed without air. Turn the pile and mix in dry browns like leaves or cardboard, then let it dry out a little before watering again.
How long until I get compost?
A hot pile turned regularly can finish in two to three months. A cold pile may take six months to a year, depending on weather and what you add.
Can I compost in a small yard?
Yes. A lidded bin or tumbler takes little space, and you can keep the same greens and browns balance in a smaller volume.
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.
