5 Simple Steps to Back Yard Composting! #ecofriendly #gardening
I’ve been composting for around 8 years now, and I’m always surprised when people make comments about how much work it must be. My response is always the same – umm, no – it practically composts itself! Which is totally true, but nonetheless there are a few key steps that should be followed to achieve a nice, balanced, nutrient-rich soil. So here are my 5 simple steps to kicking off your back yard composting this year!
Step 1: Location, location, location!
Ensure your composting bin has good drainage and is easily to get to year round.
Step 2: Get digging!
Using a small shovel, turn up a bit of earth underneath your bin to allow the organisms to come up to your pile of organic matter.
Step 3: Layering is essential!
Begin with about 4 inches of dry leaves or shredded paper {your “brown” layer}. Then add a 2 inch layer of “greens”, which can be anything from your kitchen leftovers to grass clippings. Cover your “green” layer with another 4 inch layer of “browns” to keep odors and fruit flies at bay.
Step 4: Repeat!
Continue alternating your brown and green layers until your compost bin is completely full.
Step 5: Shake it up!
Every 2 weeks, mix up your pile and let add air in between the layers by turning it with a garden fork when your bin is full. The contents should be damp, so make sure to add a bit of water if it’s too dry or add another layer of browns if it’s too wet. After a couple months, the contents of your bin become a dark, crumbly soil with an earthy smell to it, and that means it’s ready to use. Empty the rich contents into your garden and start all over!
Do you compost at home?
Tags: compost bin, crumbly soil, grass clippings, organic matter, rich soil
Filed under: Organic/Eco-Friendly
Subscribe to the 
Thank you! I will bookmark this! :)
[Reply]
Jenn Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 7:49 PM
You’re welcome! :)
[Reply]
1 Angela said this (May 8, 2012 at 11:46 AM)
I am a composting failure! :-) We live in the desert, though, which makes it a bit tricky. When a Master Gardener in town told me she gave up composting years ago, I gave it up, too. Maybe someday I’ll try again.
[Reply]
Jenn Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 7:51 PM
LOL – I think that living in the desert would pose some tricky challenges in the composting department for sure! You’ll have to find someone close by who’s successful at it and then pick their brain for a while! :)
[Reply]
2 Camille said this (May 8, 2012 at 11:53 AM)
thanks! great post as we start getting ready to compost!
[Reply]
Jenn Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 7:52 PM
Ohh nice timing, huh?! ;)
[Reply]
3 Courtney Fisk said this (May 8, 2012 at 11:58 AM)
I always thought it would be much more work. That compost bin is actually quite attractive so I wouldn’t mind having it in the back yard. Thanks for the info!
[Reply]
Jenn Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 7:53 PM
Yep, surprisingly they’ve come a long way in the looks department! :)
[Reply]
4 Angela said this (May 8, 2012 at 12:01 PM)
Thanks for an easy set of started tips! I’m totally thinking of doing this finally – so I pinned it to come back to in a few weeks!
[Reply]
Jenn Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 7:56 PM
Woo hoo, you can do it!!! It’s seriously such a gratifying feeling the first time you’ve completed the cycle and you’ve got awesome soil! :)
[Reply]
5 Meagan P - Sunshine and Sippy Cups said this (May 8, 2012 at 2:16 PM)
Oh good, this is helpful because I just started composting and it sounds like I am doing it right so far… I do have flies, but we have a big fly problem here in Dallas right now overall and the bin is outside so I don’t really care about that so much.
[Reply]
Jenn Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 8:03 PM
Meh, a little bit of flies won’t hurt anyone, right? Right! :)
[Reply]
6 Jenny B said this (May 8, 2012 at 3:33 PM)
Do you know if the compost bin has to be in direct sunlight? We have a great location but it’s in a shady area of the yard. We can’t wait to begin!
[Reply]
Jenn Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 8:02 PM
Ideally it should be in partial shade, so you’re good to go! :)
[Reply]
7 Danielle said this (May 8, 2012 at 5:17 PM)
Great post. Those tips will surely be handy for me. I am glad you shared.
[Reply]
8 Johnny Pharell said this (May 16, 2012 at 2:20 AM)
Honestly, the work sounds simpler than I had thought. Now I don’t have any reason for not composting. Thanks:)
[Reply]
9 Eddie Walker said this (May 16, 2012 at 10:55 PM)
Informative post.. thanks…
[Reply]
10 Eddie Walker said this (May 16, 2012 at 10:59 PM)