How to Make Compost at Home: Turning Scraps into Garden Gold

Composting is one of the simplest, most rewarding ways to reduce waste and nourish your garden—all from your own backyard. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, creating your own compost is a magical process: food scraps and yard waste transform into rich, earthy material your plants will absolutely love. Here's how to get started:

🥕 What You’ll Need

• A Compost Bin or Pile: You can purchase a bin, build your own from wood pallets, or simply create a pile in a corner of your yard. Make sure it’s in a well-drained spot with some sun.

• Green Materials (Nitrogen-rich): Fruit & veggie scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, grass clippings.

• Brown Materials (Carbon-rich): Dry leaves, shredded newspaper, cardboard, straw, sawdust.

• Water & Air: Moisture and oxygen help speed up decomposition.

🔄 Lasagna Method vs. Turned Compost: What’s the Difference?

Both methods turn kitchen and garden scraps into rich compost, but they have different strategies for getting there:

🍝 Lasagna Method (No-Turn or Low-Turn Composting)

• How it works: You layer greens and browns like a lasagna—alternating between nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials.

• Turning: Minimal or none. Some people just poke holes or stir the top occasionally to introduce oxygen.

• Best for: Gardeners who want a low-maintenance compost pile, especially in backyard bins or enclosed systems.

• Time to compost: Usually slower—can take 6–12 months.

• Pros:

  • Less effort

  • Great for small spaces

  • Neat and tidy

• Cons:

  • Slower to break down

  • May need some troubleshooting if not layered properly

🌀 Traditional Hot Compost (Turned Frequently)

• How it works: A balanced mix of greens and browns is built all at once or over time, and frequently turned to maintain airflow and heat.

• Turning: Every 1–2 weeks—or even more often—to aerate the pile and encourage microbial activity.

• Best for: Gardeners who want faster results and don’t mind a little work.

• Time to compost: Can be ready in as little as 2–3 months.

• Pros:

  • Faster breakdown

  • Hot temperatures kill weed seeds and pathogens

• Cons:

  • Requires regular labor

  • Needs space and a good balance of materials

🌿 Which One Is Right for You?

If you want quick compost and don’t mind getting hands-on, go with the turned pile.
If you prefer a more passive, tidy method, lasagna composting is a beautiful (and effective) alternative.

And remember—you can always do a bit of both! 🌎♻️

💧 Moisture Matters

Your compost pile should feel like a wrung-out sponge—moist but not soggy. If it gets too dry, sprinkle with water. Too wet? Add more dry browns like shredded newspaper or dry leaves.

🌱 How to Use Your Finished Compost

• Mix into garden beds and pots for extra nutrients.

• Topdress lawns or flower beds.

• Add to tree rings and around shrubs for a healthy boost.

Bonus Tips

• Avoid composting meat, dairy, or oily foods—they attract pests and slow things down.

• Crushed eggshells are great for calcium but break down slowly.

• Chop or shred larger items for quicker composting.

Final Thought

Making compost is like giving your food scraps a second life—and your plants will thank you with vibrant blooms and lush growth. The lasagna method is a clean, easy way to get started—and once you see the results, you’ll be hooked.

Come by Valley Hills Nursery for compost tools, bins, or just a chat about your garden dreams. We’ve got the dirt on all things composting. 🌿✨

Carly Tip... add Sea Kelp to speed up the composting process!