How to Make Compost at Home
Turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into black gold with the simple rules of hot composting.
Quick Takeaway
For a quick answer, check the main steps below. Always ensure proper sanitation and optimal temperatures for the best yield.
The Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio
Successful composting is just biology. Bacteria and fungi break down organic matter, and they require a balanced diet of Carbon ("Browns") and Nitrogen ("Greens"). The ideal ratio by volume is roughly 2 or 3 parts Browns to 1 part Greens.
The Greens (Nitrogen)
- Grass clippings
- Vegetable and fruit scraps
- Coffee grounds
- Manure (from herbivores only: chickens, cows, horses)
The Browns (Carbon)
- Fall leaves
- Shredded cardboard and paper
- Straw
- Wood chips
Air and Water
A compost pile is a living, breathing entity. It needs oxygen. Turn your pile with a pitchfork once a week. It also needs moisture. The pile should feel like a wrung-out sponge—damp, but not dripping wet. If it smells like rotting garbage, it has gone anaerobic (no oxygen) due to too much water or too many Greens.