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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wondering how to start composting the easy way? Here are 6 simple steps to get you started today.
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.
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.
Once your pile is set up, you’ll want to keep an eye on a few key things:
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.
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!
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!