ASK MARTHA: How To Compost At Home

Question: Hi Martha, Does compost really help my garden? How do I start? 

Martha: Compost is one of the best ways to increase your garden's growing power. Producing it yourself will save you money and provide a way to utilize all those kitchen scraps and gardening cast-offs. Plus, having an endless supply of "black gold" will do your plants (and the planet) a tremendous amount of good. 

For as long as I can remember, composting has been a part of my life. When I was a child, my family kept a small bucket next to the kitchen sink where food scraps were deposited. The bucket was emptied every day onto the compost heap at the back of our yard. My dad talked with excitement about the transformation of these scraps into "black gold," a substance he said would revitalize our garden, adding nutrients back to the soil. 

Over the years I have developed an adaptable system of composting that will keep your garden – whether large or small – thriving. Even if you have a small space, or aren't ready to home compost yet, you can purchase compost, which supports organic waste recycling initiatives. But if you're ready to compost, and you have food scraps and a pitchfork, you're halfway there!  

WHAT COMPOST IS (AND WHAT IT IS NOT) 

Compost is the result of organic matter (plant parts and food scraps) decomposing with the aid of water, oxygen, invertebrate organisms (earth worms, slugs, sow bugs), and beneficial microorganisms (fungi and bacteria). Crumbly, dark-brown finished compost is not soil, though it may resemble it; nor is it fertilizer. It is a soil amendment that can be incorporated into garden soil to help it retain moisture and nutrients. 

WHAT TO COMPOST 

At my farm in Bedford, almost nothing goes to waste. Successful composting depends on the right combination of "green" and "brown" material. The greens (food scraps, lawn cuttings) provide nitrogen, while the browns (healthy dry leaves, newspaper, cardboard) provide carbon. To create optimal conditions for decomposition, gather twice as much brown material as green.  

These photos show which materials are appropriate.   

10 STEPS TO START AND MAINTAIN YOUR COMPOST PILE FROM THE GROUND UP 

1. FIND A PROPER LOCATION 



You will need a spot with good drainage and at least partial sunlight. Full sun will require more frequent watering; full shade slows decomposition. The bin should be convenient to a water source, but out of harm's way from pets (dogs especially find the smell of decomposing matter irresistible.) 

2. BUILD THE BASE WITH BROWN 

Begin your pile with an airy layer of carbon matter, ideally a loose pile of fallen leaves for better circulation. If you do not have dry leaves or cardboard on hand, wood chips can be used to ensure you have adequate carbon in your blend and can help eliminate odors. Aim for about 15 cm of brown matter.  

3. ADD GREEN, THEN MORE BROWN 

Add a few cm of green matter. Miracle-Gro Performance Organics All-Purpose Plant Food Granules can be used to supplement the green ingredients and ensure your compost mixture contains adequate nitrogen to initiate the composting process. Then, top with twice as much brown matter. 

4. SPRINKLE IN SOIL 

A scoop (or shovelful, depending on the size of your pile) of garden soil in the pile promotes necessary microorganisms. 

5. REPEAT BROWN AND GREEN LAYERS

Continue layering browns and greens in a 2-to-1 ratio, ending with a layer of brown. Small pieces decompose faster, so consider cutting down any large ones. Do not leave food scraps exposed. 

6. KEEP IT MOIST 

Your pile should be as wet as a wrung-out sponge: moist but not drippy. Too much or too little water can slow down or even stop the composting process. Check often; water the pile with a hose when it's dry or cover with a tarp during heavy rain, as necessary. 

7. TURN AND REPEAT 

After a week, you'll notice the pile heat up. Turn it with a pitchfork, mixing the layers. As the pile continues to "cook" and reduce, turn the pile every few days, and keep adding more layers, ending with brown. (If your compost seems like it isn't doing anything, you may need to add more water and/or green ingredients.) Turning provides oxygen for the microorganisms and facilitates rapid, even decomposition. The more frequently you turn, the sooner the compost will be ready.   

8. CORRECTING COMPOST THAT IS WET AND SMELLY 

If compost is slimy or overly odorous, you may be adding too much water, or the recipe contains an excessive number of green materials. This can be fixed by adding more brown ingredients of a smaller, uniform particle size such as sawdust, paper, brown leaves, and wood chips. These are all excellent materials to help control odors in the compost pile and restore the ideal brown-to-green ratio. 

9. CORRECTING COMPOST THAT IS DRY AND DUSTY 

If the compost is too dry and/or dusty, the quality of the brown ingredient can also be key. Large branches and sticks may not compost as readily as paper or wood chips that have a smaller, more uniform particle size. If the pile is dry, dusty, and isn't heating up, you should add more green ingredients, and possibly water, to get the composting process started. You can also try supplementing with Miracle-Gro ® Organic Plant Food Granules for Vegetables & Herbs  to ensure your compost mixture contains adequate nitrogen to initiate the composting process   

10. HOW TO USE WHEN READY 

Once the compost is dark brown, free of recognizable ingredients, and has no offensive smell, it's ready. Depending on ingredients and conditions, your compost will be done six months to a year after you start the pile. When ready, compost can be amended into soil in early spring, with new plantings, and adding compost in the fall will improve your soil for the following spring. For new gardens, we recommended 5 to 8 cm in the first year, with an additional 2 cm application every other year thereafter. You can also use compost as a mulch or top dressing or rake it directly on the lawn for greener grass. 

Below: as the composted materials age over time, each recognizable plant piece blends into consistently fine tilth, with a uniform dark color and a rich texture like crumbled chocolate cake. 

Article by Martha Stewart, as part of the Miracle-Growing by Martha Stewart partnership.