why, when & how of compost

How, Why, and When to Create Compost from Kitchen Food Waste
Composting is one of the most effective ways to reduce food waste, enrich your soil, and contribute to a healthier planet. By turning your kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost, you not only reduce landfill waste but also create a natural fertilizer for your garden. Here’s everything you need to know about starting your own compost at home.

Why Compost?

1. Reduces Waste: Around 30% of household waste consists of food scraps that can be composted rather than sent to landfill.
2. Improves Soil Health: Compost adds essential nutrients to soil, improving its structure and moisture retention.
3. Lowers Carbon Footprint: Organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting helps prevent this.
4. Saves Money: Instead of buying chemical fertilizers, you can create your own nutrient-rich compost for free!

When to Start Composting?
The best time to start composting is now! Whether it's summer, winter, or any season in between, composting can be done year-round. The decomposition process may slow down in colder months, but your pile will continue to break down over time.

How to Compost Kitchen Food Waste
1.  Choose Your Composting Method:

• Outdoor compost bin: Ideal for those with a garden or backyard.
• Indoor compost bin: A great option for apartment dwellers.
• Bokashi composting: A fermentation method that works well for all types of food waste, including meat and dairy.
• Worm composting (vermicomposting): Uses worms to break down food scraps into rich soil.

2.  Collect Kitchen Scraps: Keep a compost bin or container in your kitchen for easy collection of food waste. Suitable items include:

• Fruit and vegetable peels
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Eggshells
• Stale bread and grains
• Nut shells

Avoid composting meat, dairy, oily foods, and processed items unless using a specialized system like Bokashi.
 
3.  Balance Greens and Browns: Composting requires a balance of:

• Greens (nitrogen-rich materials): Fresh food scraps, coffee grounds, grass clippings.
• Browns (carbon-rich materials): Dry leaves, cardboard, shredded newspaper, sawdust.

 
A good mix (about 2-3 parts browns to 1 part greens) ensures proper breakdown and prevents odour.
 
4.  Maintain Your Compost:

• Turn the pile regularly to aerate and speed up decomposition.
• Keep it moist but not soggy – like a wrung-out sponge.
• Watch for smells – if it stinks, add more browns; if it’s too dry, add greens and water.

5. Harvest Your Compost: Depending on conditions, compost is ready in 2-6 months when it becomes dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell. Use it in your garden beds, potted plants, or mix it into soil for healthier growth.
 
Start Composting Today!
Composting is a simple yet powerful way to minimize waste and nourish your plants. Whether you have a large garden or just a small balcony, there’s a composting method that fits your lifestyle. Start today and turn your food scraps into gold for your garden!
 
Geraldine Fitzpatrick