6 easy types of composting: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Turning kitchen scraps, garden waste, and other organic materials into nutrient-rich soil is easier than you think, especially when you understand the types of composting available.

Whether you have a small balcony or a backyard, each method offers unique advantages for improving soil health and boosting plant growth.

From quick solutions like tumbler composting to slow, traditional heaps, you can choose the best approach for your space.

What is Composting?

Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic matter—like vegetable peels, yard clippings, and leaves—into a dark, crumbly material called humus.

Microorganisms, earthworms, and beneficial fungi feed on the waste, speeding up decomposition.

The result is a soil conditioner packed with nutrients that improves plant health, boosts soil structure, and reduces waste sent to landfills.

Why Composting Matters

1. Reduces Waste – Around 30% of household waste is compostable. Composting prevents it from ending up in landfills.
2. Saves Money – No need for store-bought soil conditioners or fertilizers.
3. Eco-Friendly – Cuts methane emissions from landfill decomposition.
4. Healthier Soil – Improves soil aeration, water retention, and nutrient balance.
5. Better Plants – Provides slow-release nutrients for stronger, healthier growth.

The Science Behind Composting

Composting is powered by the balance of green materials (nitrogen-rich) and brown materials (carbon-rich).

• Greens (Nitrogen): Vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, fresh grass clippings.
• Browns (Carbon): Dry leaves, cardboard, shredded paper, wood chips.

The microbes that break down waste need both nitrogen (for growth) and carbon (for energy). The ideal ratio is roughly 2–3 parts brown to 1 part green. Too much nitrogen causes odors; too much carbon slows the process.

What to Compost

Good Materials

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Eggshells
• Grass clippings
• Leaves
• Shredded newspaper or cardboard
• Sawdust or wood chips (untreated)
• Plant trimmings

 Avoid These

• Meat, fish, dairy (attract pests)
• Oily or greasy foods
• Diseased plants
• Pet waste
• Chemically treated wood or plants
• Invasive weeds with seeds

6 EASY TYPES OF COMPOSTING

Composting is one of the best ways to recycle kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil. Here are six simple methods suitable for home gardeners:

1. Traditional or Heap Composting

This is the simplest method and requires no special equipment.

• Pile up organic waste like kitchen scraps, leaves, and garden trimmings.
• Layer green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials for balance.
• Turn the heap every few weeks to aerate and speed up decomposition.
• Takes 2–6 months to produce usable compost.

2. Pit Composting

Perfect for small yards or gardens with space for digging.

• Dig a pit about 1 meter deep in your garden.
• Add layers of organic waste, covering each layer with soil.
• Water occasionally to maintain moisture.
• Decomposition occurs underground, producing rich compost in 3–6 months.

3. Trench Composting

A very low-maintenance option suitable for vegetable gardens.

• Dig shallow trenches along garden beds.
• Place kitchen scraps or garden waste in the trench.
• Cover with soil and plant directly over it.
• Waste breaks down in the soil, improving fertility for the next crop.

4. Bin Composting

A tidy, organized method that works well for homes and apartments.

• Use a compost bin or container with a lid and drainage holes.
• Add kitchen scraps, leaves, and garden waste in layers.
• Turn the pile regularly to aerate.
• Produces compost in 2–4 months depending on conditions.

5. Vermicomposting (Using Worms)

This method uses worms to break down organic waste faster.

• Use red wigglers or earthworms in a worm bin.
• Add kitchen waste like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and crushed eggshells.
• Keep the bin moist but not soggy.
• Worm castings are ready in 1–2 months and are nutrient-rich for plants.

6. Tumbler or Rotary Composting

Ideal for those who want fast composting without much manual labor.

• Use a rotating compost tumbler or barrel.
• Add balanced green and brown waste in layers.
• Rotate or tumble the barrel regularly to mix and aerate.
• Compost can be ready in as little as 4–6 weeks.

Tip: Whatever method you choose, always maintain a proper balance of green and brown materials, keep the pile moist, and turn it occasionally to speed up decomposition.

Step-by-Step: How to Start Composting

Step 1: Choose a Composting Location

Pick a spot with good drainage and partial shade. Outdoor piles should be on bare soil to allow worms and microbes easy access.

Step 2: Select a Bin or Method

Decide between an open pile, compost bin, tumbler, or vermicompost system. Beginners often start with a closed bin to keep pests out.

Step 3: Gather Materials

Collect a mix of greens (food scraps, grass clippings) and browns (dry leaves, shredded paper). Chop large items to speed decomposition.

Step 4: Layer Properly

Start with a layer of coarse browns at the bottom for airflow. Alternate layers of greens and browns, always finishing with a brown layer to reduce odor.

Step 5: Maintain Moisture

Compost should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge. If it’s too dry, add water; if too wet, add dry leaves or cardboard.

Step 6: Turn Regularly

Every 1–2 weeks, use a pitchfork or shovel to mix the pile. This adds oxygen, speeds decomposition, and prevents unpleasant smells.

Step 7: Monitor Temperature

Active piles heat up to 130–160°F. If it cools down too soon, add more greens and turn the pile.

Step 8: Harvest Compost

In 2–6 months, you’ll have dark, crumbly compost with an earthy smell. Use it in gardens, pots, or as lawn top-dressing.

Common Composting Problems and Fixes

• Bad Odor → Too many greens or too wet. Add browns and turn the pile.
• Pile Too Dry → Add water or fresh greens. Cover with a tarp to retain moisture.
• Slow Decomposition → Chop scraps smaller, add more greens, and turn pile often.
• Pests (rats, flies) → Avoid meat, dairy, oily foods, and keep pile covered.
• Mold Growth → Small amounts are normal, but mix pile to balance air and moisture.

Using Finished Compost

Once ready, compost can be used in multiple ways:

1. Soil Amendment – Mix into garden soil to enrich nutrients.
2. Mulch – Spread on top of soil to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
3. Potting Mix – Blend with perlite, peat moss, or coco coir for indoor plants.
4. Lawn Top-Dressing – Sprinkle over grass to improve growth.
5. Tree and Shrub Feeding – Add around the base to strengthen roots.

Benefits of Composting at Home

• Cuts household waste dramatically.
• Improves soil fertility without chemicals.
• Helps retain water in sandy soil.
• Loosens heavy clay soils.
• Encourages beneficial earthworms and microbes.
• Creates a sense of sustainability and self-reliance.

Tips for Successful Composting

1. Chop food scraps into small pieces for faster breakdown.
2. Balance greens and browns—don’t overload one type.
3. Cover food scraps with browns to avoid odor.
4. Keep pile damp, not soggy.
5. Turn regularly for oxygen flow.
6. Start small and add more as you learn.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPOST, VERMICOMPOST, AND MANURE

Gardeners often confuse compost, vermicompost, and manure, but they are not the same. All three enrich soil, yet their sources and preparation differ.

• Compost is made by decomposing kitchen scraps, garden waste, and organic matter with the help of microbes. It’s dark, crumbly, and nutrient-rich.
• Vermicompost is compost made specifically using earthworms. The worms eat organic waste and produce nutrient-rich castings that are excellent for plants.
• Manure comes from the waste of animals like cows, goats, or poultry. It is organic but usually less balanced in nutrients compared to composts.

Each has unique benefits, and all can improve soil health.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to make compost?
On average, it takes 2–6 months, depending on temperature, materials, and how often you turn the pile. Faster methods like tumblers shorten the time.

2. Can I compost in an apartment?
Yes! Vermicomposting or Bokashi composting works indoors without odor if done correctly. Even small spaces can benefit from composting food waste.

3. Do I need to buy a compost bin?
Not necessarily. You can make a pile in your backyard. However, bins and tumblers make composting tidier, faster, and easier to manage.

4. What if my compost attracts flies?
Cover food scraps with dry leaves or soil, and avoid meat or oily foods. A well-balanced pile should not attract many pests.

5. How do I know my compost is ready?
Finished compost looks dark, crumbly, and smells earthy—not like rotting food. If you still see recognizable scraps, it needs more time.

Conclusion

Composting is a simple habit with massive benefits for your garden, wallet, and the environment. By recycling everyday food scraps and yard waste, you can create nutrient-rich soil that keeps your plants thriving.

Whether you use a backyard pile, a tumbler, or even a worm bin indoors, the key is maintaining balance and patience.

Start small today—your plants, your garden, and the planet will thank you.

“Thanks for reading. Keep growing, keep exploring, and don’t forget to return here at gardeningbud.com for more plants, tips and gardening wisdom.”