How to Make Compost at Home

For gardeners, composting is one of the most rewarding ways to give back to your garden while reducing household waste. By using the power of sunlight, microbes, and time to turn what would usually get thrown away into nutrient-rich soil, you’re directly engaging with your landscape while creating a microbe-rich, all-natural fertilizer that can significantly boost your yields.

At Texas Native, we know compost inside and out, and we’re here to help you turn everyday kitchen scraps and lawn clippings into rich, organic compost that feeds your soil. Whether you’re learning how to start composting or looking to improve your composting process, we’ve got the tips and guidance to help you every step of the way.

Read on for what you need to know about how to make your own compost at home, including building a compost bin, how to start a compost pile, common compost problems, what shouldn't be put in the compost bin, and much more.

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How to Make a Compost Pile

The first step in making a compost pile is choosing where you want to compost.  Remember that you'll want to keep your compost pile close enough to the house that it's convenient to use. Not too close, though, as some of the things you'll be putting into your compost can smell bad as they decay.

Many gardeners start with a small pile in the corner of the backyard, or build a dedicated compost bin to contain it and make the pile easier to manage (see more on that below).

When starting a compost pile, think about balance. A good compost pile needs a mix of air, water, and organic matter to break down fully and efficiently. That makes layering a smart way to begin.

Your pile needs air to process fully, so start with a base of sticks, straw or other coarse material at the bottom to promote airflow. Once you have the foundation laid, alternate “green” materials like vegetable scraps with “brown” materials like dried leaves, grass clippings, paper, or cardboard. When you have materials like kitchen scraps, leaves, or yard waste, pile them on and fold them into your pile with a shovel, rake, or fork.

Keep the pile moist, and turn it often to add oxygen, once a month if you don't mind things moving a little slower, once a week if you want to speed up the process. As you turn your compost, make sure you dig deep into the pile, bringing older materials to the top. Doing so can help fight issues like mold, fermentation, and other problems.

Choosing a Compost Bin

A compost bin is one of the easiest ways to manage your compost effectively. It keeps organic materials contained, prevents scattering during bad weather, discourages animals, and makes it easier to turn and aerate your compost while maintaining a clean, tidy space.

There are many types of commercial compost bins available, including tumbling or spinning compost bins that make turning and aerating your compost easier. If you’d prefer a DIY compost bin, building one at home is simple and affordable. Here are a few low-cost ideas to get started:

Compost Cans

For composting in small spaces, consider building a compost can from a clean plastic barrel or trash can with a secure lid. This container can be as big or as small as your needs require.

When choosing a can, remember that you'll need to turn the materials as they decay, so a tool like a shovel or hoe should fit comfortably inside. A bigger container will allow you to make more compost in a relatively small space, so take that into account as well.

To promote airflow, carefully drill holes a little smaller than a dime into the lid and sides of the can. Once you've got it ventilated, it's ready to use. Just start adding organic matter like kitchen scraps and lawn clippings, and give them a good stir on a set schedule to encourage decay.

Build a Compost Bin from Pallets

If you have more room, another cheap option is a pallet bin. For this project, you'll need three to five oak pallets. Stand three of them on edge to form a square with one open side. The corners can then be wired, tied, or screwed securely together.

This simple structure will keep your compost from being blown or washed away during storms, while the gaps in the pallets promote good airflow and proper decomposition. The size is also a plus, allowing you to create enough compost for bigger projects like spring gardening.

For added security against raccoons, opossums, and other scavengers, you can purchase four heavy door hinges and use a third and fourth pallet to build a side-hinged swinging door on the front, along with a lid, creating a closed box. When you're ready to use or turn your compost, just open the hinged door and pop the top for instant access.

Looking for more great gardening tips? Read Texas Native's Native Insights Blog

What to Put in Compost Bin

The ingredients you add to your compost pile make all the difference. Good compost relies on a mix of nitrogen-rich “greens” and carbon-rich “browns.”

Greens include:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen

• Coffee grounds, coffee filters, and tea bags

• Fresh grass clippings

• Trimmings from the garden

• Eggshells

• Horse, cow, or chicken manure

• Hair and pet fur clippings can be added as they decompose quickly and release nitrogen.

Browns include:

• Dried leaves

• Straw

• Shredded, non-glossy paper

• Cardboard

• Wood ashes (sparingly, as they can be very alkaline)

• Hardwood sawdust, pruned branches, or wood chips

• Pine needles (sparingly, as they can be very acidic)

• Old cornstalks, vines, and other end-of-season garden debris

• Nut shells

• 100% cotton fabric

What Shouldn't I Put in a Compost Bin?

While many organic things can become the basis of good compost, there are a few things you shouldn't add to your compost pile. Most of these are on the list because the odors they create might attract scavengers or stink up your yard. Some are actually hazardous, however, introducing issues like harmful fecal bacteria.

Things not to add to a compost bin include:

• Meat, including the carcasses or organs of poultry or fish

• Dairy products

• Waxed cartons or glossy paper

• Oils or grease

• Plastic of any kind, including styrofoam

• Cloth that isn't 100% cotton or linen

• Pet waste, including dog or cat droppings

• Weeds with seeds

Staying away from these items and finding the right mix of greens and browns will keep your compost smelling earthy and looking like rich, dark soil as it matures.

How Long Does it Take to Make Compost?

How long it takes to make compost depends on a wide range of factors, including the time of year, outdoor humidity and rainfall, the mix of items you're trying to compost, how often you turn the pile, and more.

During the warmer months of spring and summer, it can take anywhere from two to six months for composted materials to decompose into soil completely. Want to speed up the process? Keep the pile moist by misting it regularly with a hose, chop your materials into smaller pieces, and turn the pile more frequently to add air.

Signs of finished compost are easy to spot. The compost will look like rich soil: dark, crumbly, sweet-smelling, and earthy. If you can still recognize food scraps, paper, or leaves, or if the pile still smells distinctly like rotting things, it needs more time. Your patience will pay off, however. When it's done, you’ll have a powerful soil amender that's ready to boost your garden’s health.

Texas Native knows how to grow, and we do it responsibly. Learn more about our sustainable production process.

Applying Compost in your Garden

Finished compost is often called “black gold” for good reason. It’s one of the best natural fertilizers you can use. You can mix it into your vegetable garden beds to replenish nutrients, spread a thin layer over your lawn for healthier turf, or blend it into flower beds for stronger blooms.

The amount of compost you need depends on your soil and your goals. A general rule is:

• Garden Beds: Spread a one-to-three-inch layer of compost, then work it into the top six inches of soil. To feed established plants, spread compost in a ring around the base of each plant, making sure not to let it mound up against the stem.

• Lawns: Sprinkle a quarter-inch layer of compost evenly across your lawn, then rake it into the grass. Add more compost in spots where the grass is thin.

No matter how you use it, compost enriches the soil, improves moisture retention, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. It's the gardening wonder-worker you can make yourself.

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Compost Pile Troubleshooting

Like any natural process, composting comes with its quirks. Knowing the signs of trouble, however, can help you get ahead of them and to a quality finished compost sooner.

If your compost pile smells sour, it may not be turned often enough, or it might be too wet or heavy on greens. Add browns like dry leaves or cardboard and turn the pile more often.

If the pile is dry and not breaking down as fast as you'd like, you may have a lack of microbial action and too many browns, like leaves or paper. To remedy this, add water and fold in more green material, particularly items like onion peels, banana skins, and other kitchen scraps.

A healthy compost pile should have steady decomposition activity and a pleasant, earthy smell, not unlike rich soil. If you’re wondering whether you can add to an existing compost pile, the answer is yes. Just keep layering and mixing new materials in with the old, and nature will take care of the rest.

READ TEXAS NATIVE'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO MULCH!

Contact Texas Native

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, making your own compost at home can be rewarding and fun. Want the results in a fraction of the time? Texas Native compost is premium, all-natural compost without the wait!

For over 35 years, Texas Native has been collecting organic materials and transforming them into sustainable landscaping products. From the beginning, we've been focused on diverting green waste from landfills and burn piles while helping our local contractors and homeowners conserve water and promote soil health in their landscapes.

Today, the Texas Native brand offers more than 40 different premium mulch, soil, compost and aggregate products across the state of Texas. We continue to prioritize our products, our people and our partnerships.

Have questions? Contact us today through our convenient online form, phone (512)259-7430 or send an email to info@austinwoodrecycling.com.