Franka Kruse-Gering

April 4, 2024, 12:49 pm | Read time: 5 minutes

Although fall is the best time to start a compost, you can do it year-round. This article explains what you need, how to proceed, and what can go on the compost.

Proper Composting–What Is Necessary?

The base of the compost should be a layer of thin branches or twigs to ensure adequate ventilation from below. Ideally, when starting a new compost pile, you should mix in some mature compost.

The material for the compost should be moist but not wet. It’s best to mix different materials thoroughly and spread them widely. It’s important to maintain a balanced ratio of woody to fresh material–the carbon to nitrogen ratio should be correct, as informed by Nabu. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Layer coarse material about 8 to 12 inches high on the ground.
2. Then add the finer material mixed together.
3. Finally, cover the compost pile to promote heat retention and prevent moisture loss.

Note: Depending on the size of your garden, having your own composter is beneficial. This article summarizes the options available and how to build a simple composter yourself.

Note: When choosing a location, ensure there is enough space. The composter should also be protected from excessive sunlight, rain, and wind.

What Can Go on the Compost?

• Grass clippings: Grass should definitely go on the compost, but freshly cut grass should be left to dry separately for a few days first. Otherwise, the moisture can cause the pile to start smelling unpleasant.
• Leaves: Wilted leaves can also be disposed of on the compost pile. It’s advisable to shred the leaves first to speed up decomposition. Be cautious with smooth leaves, as they can stick together in layers and restrict airflow for the decomposition bacteria. A good mix is leaves, grass clippings, and wood chips, resulting in a loose and nutrient-rich mass.
• Other garden waste: Branches, wood, wilted flowers, hedge and tree trimmings can also go on the garden pile. Large pieces should be shredded first, preferably with a shredder.
• Fruit and vegetable scraps: Potato and carrot peels belong on the compost. Be cautious with banana peels or citrus fruits, as they decompose slowly and should be used sparingly.
• Other kitchen waste: Eggshells, tea, and coffee can also go on the compost.

Note: If you have a compost toilet with bark mulch in the garden, you can also dispose of the bucket from the toilet on the compost.

Also interesting: Why you should never dispose of garden waste in the forest

What Should Not Go on the Compost?

Cooked food scraps, meat and fish, treated fruit peels, paper and cardboard, oils and fats, and ash should not go on the compost. Plants infested with pests should also not be composted. Compostable plastic bags should not be placed on the compost either. Although they decompose over time, it takes a long time for a bag to completely break down, leaving small plastic fragments in the soil for years. If you use this compost soil for growing vegetables, you may end up with microplastics in your harvest.

To keep the pile healthy and odor-free, you can enrich it with rock dust, algae, and lime. The general rule is: The more balanced the compost’s ingredients, the richer the resulting soil and fertilizer will be.

Also interesting: How to prepare the compost for winter?

More on the topic

Gardening Knowledge 9 Typical Composting Mistakes to Avoid

Wintering 6 Things to Consider for Winter Composting

How to Speed Up Composting?

It can take up to a year for fungi and bacteria to turn garden and kitchen waste into usable material. To speed up composting, you should turn the pile after a few months, bringing the bottom layer to the top and vice versa. Turning also prevents odor and pest infestations. You can also use compost accelerators, which may contain compost worms and various fertilizers, depending on the composition. Learn how to easily make your own compost accelerator here. A thermal composter also speeds up the decomposition process.

Tip: If you want to use slightly decomposed compost to improve soil quality in your garden after just a few months, use a coarse compost sieve to remove larger pieces (leaves or branches).

What to Do if the Compost Attracts Rats?

The best prevention against rats is a well-maintained compost pile. This does not smell and contains only items that belong on a compost. Meat scraps, in particular, attract rats. Keeping the compost moist also makes it uncomfortable for rodents. If the pile is already infested with rats, traps are often the only solution. In severe cases, you should contact the local authorities.

In the case of excessive ant infestations, keep the compost moist. Ants indicate that the pile is too dry. You can also keep insects away by mixing in certain aromatic plants, such as lavender, thyme, or marjoram.