How to Compost at Home: Complete Beginner's Guide 2025
Learn how to make compost at home and transform kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich plant food. Step-by-step instructions for beginners.
Why Learn How to Compost at Home?
Home composting transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment that feeds your plants naturally. Whether you're composting kitchen scraps or yard waste, this beginner-friendly process reduces household waste by 30%, saves money on fertilizers, and creates the perfect foundation for thriving houseplants and gardens.
Benefits of home composting:
- Better Plant Health: Rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms
- Reduce Waste: Divert 30% of household waste from landfills
- Save Money: Free fertilizer and soil amendment
- Help Environment: Reduce methane emissions and carbon footprint
Best Home Composting Methods for Beginners
Different composting methods suit different lifestyles, spaces, and timeframes. Here's how to choose the right composting system for your home:
Hot Composting
Time: 2-3 months | Space: Outdoor yard space needed | Best for: Large amounts of material, quick results
Active method requiring regular turning and monitoring temperature. Reaches 140-160°F to kill pathogens and weed seeds. This is the fastest way to create finished compost, but requires more attention and physical effort.
Cold Composting
Time: 6 months - 2 years | Space: Small corner of yard | Best for: Low-maintenance approach
Passive method - just add materials and wait. Perfect for beginners or busy gardeners. Simply pile up organic materials and let nature take its course. While it takes longer, it requires minimal effort.
Vermicomposting
Time: 2-3 months | Space: Indoor/outdoor, compact bins | Best for: Apartments, kitchen scraps
Uses red worms to break down organic matter. Produces both rich compost and liquid fertilizer (worm tea). Great for apartments and produces some of the highest quality compost available.
Bokashi Composting
Time: 2-4 weeks fermentation + 2-4 weeks decomposition | Space: Countertop bucket | Best for: Small spaces, all food scraps
Fermentation method using beneficial microorganisms. Unlike other methods, bokashi can handle meat, dairy, and oils. The fermented materials are then buried in soil or added to a traditional compost pile.
What to Put in Your Compost Bin: Complete List
✅ Green Materials (Nitrogen-Rich)
- Kitchen scraps (vegetable peels, fruit scraps)
- Fresh grass clippings
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea bags (remove staples)
- Fresh plant trimmings
- Eggshells (crushed)
- Fresh manure (aged is better)
🟤 Brown Materials (Carbon-Rich)
- Dry leaves
- Newspaper and cardboard
- Straw and hay
- Wood chips and sawdust
- Paper towels and napkins
- Dryer lint (natural fibers only)
- Pine needles
❌ Never Compost
How to Start Composting: 5 Simple Steps
Choose Your Location
Select a level, well-draining spot with partial shade. Should be accessible year-round but away from property lines to avoid neighbor complaints.
Select Your Method
Consider your space, time commitment, and goals. Beginners often start with cold composting or vermicomposting.
Gather Materials
Collect both green and brown materials. Aim for a 3:1 ratio of brown to green materials by volume.
Build Your Foundation
Start with a layer of coarse brown materials (twigs, straw) for drainage, then alternate green and brown layers.
Maintain Your Pile
Keep it moist like a wrung-out sponge. Turn regularly for hot composting, or just add materials for cold composting.
Best Composting Tools and Equipment for Home Composting
Essential Hand Tools
Wolf Garten Multi-Change® Weeding Knife
£25.99
Perfect for turning compost and breaking up clumps. The multi-star weeder removes materials efficiently and provides excellent leverage for thorough mixing. Made from high-quality steel with integrated foot rest for extra leverage.
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Wolf Garten 7cm Hand Grubber
£11.99
Ideal for loosening and aerating compost materials in smaller bins. The tool head is made from cold rolled steel for extra strength with ergonomic handle design for comfort during use.
View ProductMulti-Purpose Tools
Wolf Garten Multi-Change® Aluminium Handle 118cm
£16.99
Lightweight and stable handle that works with various Wolf Garten attachments. The rustproof aluminium construction with safety lock provides secure tool-to-handle connection for all composting tasks.
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Wolf Garten 7cm Double Hoe
£14.99
2-in-1 tool perfect for loosening compost materials on one side and raking on the other. Particularly useful for maintaining compost piles and mixing materials thoroughly.
View ProductWatering and Moisture Control
Hozelock Multi Spray Pro Gun
£34.99
Essential for adding the right amount of moisture to your compost pile. Features 7 spray patterns including gentle misting for new compost and powerful jet for cleaning tools.
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GARDENA Classic Cleaning Nozzle
£16.99
Versatile tool for watering compost and cleaning equipment. Flow control feature allows precise moisture addition, with lockable trigger for extended use.
View ProductCompost Containment
Concrete Sleeper 900x225mm
£19.99
Perfect for building large compost bin walls. Durable concrete with rustic wood grain appearance. Weather-resistant and low-maintenance.
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Concrete Sleeper 675x225mm
£17.99
Ideal for medium-sized compost bins. Combines durability of concrete with the charm of wood grain texture.
View ProductCleaning and Maintenance
Wolf Garten Scraper with Fixed Handle
£11.99
Excellent for removing moss and cleaning around compost bin areas. Features comfort grip handle and cold rolled steel head for durability.
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Wolf Garten 11.5cm Small Sweep
£11.99
Ideal for cleaning up compost materials and maintaining tidy composting areas. Perfect for sweeping fallen materials back into bins.
View ProductComposting Problems and Solutions: Troubleshooting Guide
🦨 Bad Smells
Cause: Too much green material, too wet, not enough air
Solution: Add brown materials, turn pile, check moisture
🐛 Flies & Pests
Cause: Exposed food scraps, meat/dairy in pile
Solution: Bury scraps under brown materials, avoid problem materials
🐌 Slow Decomposition
Cause: Wrong ratio, too dry, pieces too large
Solution: Balance green/brown, add water, chop materials smaller
🌡️ Not Heating Up
Cause: Pile too small, not enough green material
Solution: Build larger pile (3x3x3 minimum), add nitrogen-rich materials
Using Your Finished Compost
🌱 Soil Amendment
Mix 25-50% compost with potting soil for houseplants. For garden beds, work 2-4 inches into the top 6 inches of soil.
🍃 Mulch
Apply 2-3 inch layer around plants, keeping away from stems. Helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
🫖 Compost Tea
Steep 1 cup compost in 1 gallon water for 24-48 hours. Strain and use as liquid fertilizer for plants.
🌿 Top Dressing
Sprinkle around established plants as a slow-release fertilizer. Perfect for houseplants and container gardens.
Composting Timeline
Initial Breakdown
Materials begin decomposing, pile heats up (hot composting)
Active Phase
Temperature peaks, most decomposition occurs, regular turning needed
Cooling Phase
Temperature drops, materials continue breaking down, less frequent turning
Maturation
Compost darkens, earthy smell, ready for use or further aging
Apartment Composting: How to Compost in Small Spaces
🏢 Balcony Composting
Use a small tumbler or stacked bins. Ensure good drainage and consider neighbors. Bokashi followed by burial in pots works well.
🍴 Kitchen Counter
Electric composters or bokashi buckets fit on counters. Some units reduce volume by 90% and eliminate odors.
🪣 Under-Sink Systems
Compact worm bins or bokashi containers fit under kitchen sinks. Include carbon filters to eliminate odors.
🌇 Community Programs
Many cities offer compost pickup or drop-off locations. Some community gardens have shared composting areas.
Quick Start Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Composting
How long does it take to make compost at home?
Composting time varies by method: hot composting takes 2-3 months, cold composting takes 6 months to 2 years, vermicomposting takes 2-3 months, and bokashi fermentation takes 2-4 weeks plus 2-4 weeks for decomposition.
Can you compost in an apartment?
Yes! Apartment composting is possible using vermicomposting bins, bokashi buckets, electric composters, or balcony tumblers. Many methods work indoors without odors when managed properly.
What kitchen scraps can you compost?
You can compost vegetable peels, fruit scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, and bread. Avoid meat, dairy, oils, and pet waste which attract pests and create odors.
How much does it cost to start composting?
Basic composting costs $30-60 for a simple bin, while complete setups range from $50-300. Vermicomposting starts around $50-100, and electric composters cost $200-500.
Does home composting smell bad?
Properly managed compost should smell earthy, not bad. Bad odors indicate too much green material, excess moisture, or lack of air circulation. Add brown materials and turn the pile to fix odor issues.
Ready to Start Composting at Home?
Transform your kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich plant food. Start your composting journey today!