Composting 101: How to Start Composting for Your Garden Now

Did you know that you can easily turn your everyday kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into a nutrient-rich resource for your garden? Even better, it comes without the hassle you might expect. If you’ve ever hesitated to try composting because it seems messy, time-consuming, or too complicated, you’re not alone. Luckily for you, and the thousands of other homeowners in your shoes, we’ve broken composting down into 6 simple steps to get you started.

Today, you'll learn our best, most practical tips and ways of how to start composting, how to maintain, and eventually how to harvest your own “black gold” to naturally enrich your soil. Whether you're looking to boost your garden’s health, reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, or simply embrace a more sustainable way of managing household waste, we’re here to help you get started composting with confidence. 

What Exactly Is Composting?

Instead of tossing your veggie peels, coffee grounds, and yard leaves in the trash, what if you could transform them into a natural boost for your garden? That's what composting is all about! Put simply, it's letting bacteria and fungi do the work of breaking down what would otherwise be trash into usable fertilizer for your garden. 

Composting is made up of green and brown materials — kitchen scraps and grass clippings are the "greens," while dry leaves and cardboard make up the "browns." Then, add a bit of moisture and air, and you get a nutrient-packed compost that feeds your plants the natural and chemical-free way.

4 Reasons to Start Composting for Your Backyard Garden

Composting offers powerful and practical benefits for your garden, the environment, and your wallet!

Here are 4 powerful benefits of starting your own compost bin at home:

Save Money

When you’re able to create your own fertilizer at home with food scraps and other household waste, you’re spending less (if any) money on storebought plant nutrients. 

Richer Soil

You’ll notice that your garden has a richer texture, holds water more effectively, and gets loaded up with natural nutrients—all of which help your plants grow stronger and healthier.

Reduce Waste

Instead of sending your kitchen scraps and yard waste to crowded landfills, you can recycle them right in your backyard. That’s an eco-friendly win that also lightens your environmental footprint.

“Green” Gardening

By reducing your need for chemical fertilizers, you’re supporting a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly backyard garden. This means fewer chemicals in the produce that your garden will supply to your family. 

Supplies You’ll Need to Start a Compost Bin

• Compost Container: Choose a sturdy, well-ventilated container designed specifically for composting. Look for features like a secure lid to keep pests out, plenty of ventilation holes or slats for proper airflow, and a design that allows you to easily turn or mix the contents.
• Pitchfork or Compost Aerator:
  Select a tool specifically designed for turning your compost. A pitchfork or compost aerator with a comfortable handle and durable construction makes it easy to mix in oxygen, which accelerates decomposition and helps keep odors at bay.
• Garden Spade or Shovel:
  Opt for a quality garden spade or shovel that you’ll use to spread your finished compost. Look for one with an ergonomic design and a strong blade, so you can easily distribute nutrient-rich compost across your garden beds or pots.
• Thermometer:
  Choose an easy-to-read digital or dial thermometer with a long probe. You’ll use this to monitor the temperature of your compost bin (which should ideally be between 135-160°F) to ensure your compost is breaking down as it should.

How to Start Composting in 6 Easy Steps

Wondering how to start composting the easy way? Here are 6 simple steps to get you started today. 

1. Select the Perfect Location

Pick a spot that’s easy to access, has good drainage, and (if possible) is near your greenhouse. A sunny location can help keep the process warm, but too much direct sun might dry things out too quickly.

2. Gather Your Materials

• Green Materials (Nitrogen-Rich): Think kitchen scraps like fruit and veggie peels and fresh grass clippings. 
• Brown Materials (Carbon-Rich): Dry leaves, cardboard, paper, and straw work well.
• Avoid: Meat, dairy, oily foods, or diseased plants that can cause odors and attract pests.

3. Assemble Your Compost Layers

A good rule of thumb is to use about two parts browns (carbon-rich materials) to one part greens (nitrogen-rich materials) by volume. If your compost seems too wet, try adding a bit more browns, and if it’s too dry, a little extra green material can help balance things out.

4. Maintain Your Compost

Once your pile is set up, you’ll want to keep an eye on a few key things:

• Turning the Pile: Mix your compost every 1-2 weeks to introduce oxygen to speed up decomposition and helps prevent odors.
• Moisture: Your compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge. If it’s too dry, add some water; if it’s too wet, mix in extra browns.
• Temperature: For hot composting, aim to keep the temperature between 135-160°F to ensure things are breaking down properly.

5. Harvest Your Compost

After about 3-6 months, your compost should look dark, crumbly, and smell earthy — just like rich, freshly-turned soil. That’s your sign to start using it in your garden beds, pots, or even as a mulch around trees.

Composting + Greenhouses: A Match Made in Heaven

A greenhouse isn't only great for growing plants year-round. It’s also a fantastic location option to manage your composting process. By keeping your compost materials in a greenhouse, you can maintain ideal moisture and temperature levels, shield them from extreme weather, and keep all your tools organized in one convenient spot. This controlled environment makes composting more efficient and helps produce a consistent, nutrient-rich end product. 

That said, the inverse is also true. The high-quality compost that you create in your greenhouse then feeds back into your thriving garden by providing essential nutrients, improving soil structure, supporting moisture retention, and providing a natural, sustainable fertilizer that helps your greenhouse plants thrive. It’s a win-win!

Start Your Composting Journey With a Greenhouse Today

Starting a compost bin is a simple yet powerful way to boost your garden's health while reducing waste and supporting sustainable practices. 

Not only does composting transform everyday scraps into nutrient-rich "black gold" for your plants, but integrating a greenhouse into your setup takes it to the next level — providing a controlled, organized space that makes composting even more efficient and accessible.

When your compost is managed in a greenhouse, you provide peak conditions for decomposition, meaning that you’ll see consistently high-quality results and powerful nutrients to give your plants the best start possible. 

So why wait? Take the first step toward a greener, healthier garden by learning how to start composting and better supporting your greenhouse garden. Explore custom shed options in a few clicks with our 3D Shed Builder tool to find the perfect greenhouse shed for your backyard garden today. 

Your plants, your wallet, and the planet will thank you!