Backyard composting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce household waste while giving your garden a natural boost. Whether you’re new to composting or looking to refine your routine, this guide walks you through the essentials to get started right in your yard.
What You Need:
- A compost bin or an open pile
- Green materials: food scraps (vegetable peels, fruit rinds), coffee grounds, grass clippings
- Brown materials: dry leaves, shredded newspaper, cardboard, twigs
Getting Started:
- Choose a spot in your yard that’s shaded and well-drained.
- Layer greens and browns. Aim for about 2 to 3 parts brown to 1 part green.
- Turn the pile regularly. Aerating helps speed up decomposition.
- Keep it moist. Your compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge.
- Wait and harvest. In a few months, you’ll have nutrient-rich compost ready to mix into your soil.
What Not to Compost:
- Meat and dairy products
- Oily or greasy foods
- Pet waste
- Diseased plants or weeds that have gone to seed
Why It Matters:
By composting at home, you divert organic waste from landfills, where it would otherwise produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and create a closed-loop system that benefits your garden. It’s a small change that makes a big impact.
Sustainable Cleaning for the Compost-Friendly Home
While you're greening your garden, consider greening your cleaning routine too. A Clean Home Company offers a biodegradable All-Purpose Cleaner Spray that’s tough on dirt but gentle on the planet. It’s a great companion to your composting goals, safe for surfaces, your family, and the environment.
Start your composting journey today and watch how your kitchen scraps turn into garden gold, all while aligning your household with sustainable living goals.