Composting is one of the most rewarding ways to reduce household waste while creating valuable nutrients for your garden. In Canada, where organic waste makes up nearly 40% of residential garbage, home composting can significantly decrease your environmental footprint. This beginner's guide will help you start your composting journey with confidence.
Why Compost?
Before diving into the how-to, let's understand why composting matters:
- Waste reduction: Composting can divert up to 30% of household waste from landfills.
- Greenhouse gas reduction: When organic materials decompose in landfills, they produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting creates significantly less methane.
- Soil enrichment: Compost adds essential nutrients to soil, improving plant health and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Water conservation: Compost-rich soil retains moisture better, requiring less watering in your garden.
- Cost savings: Producing your own compost reduces the need to purchase soil amendments and fertilizers.
Selecting Your Composting System
There are several composting methods suitable for Canadian homes, each with its own advantages:
Outdoor Bin Composting
This traditional approach works well for homes with yard space:
- Commercial bins: Ready-made composters come in various designs, from simple stationary bins to tumbling models that make turning easier.
- DIY bins: Create your own using wire mesh, wooden pallets, or repurposed containers with proper ventilation.
- Best for: Homes with garden space; handling both kitchen scraps and yard waste.
- Considerations: Look for bins with secure lids to deter wildlife, especially in areas with raccoons, skunks, or bears.
Vermicomposting (Worm Composting)
An excellent indoor option that uses red wiggler worms to break down organic matter:
- Setup: A specialized bin with bedding material (shredded newspaper, cardboard) and red wiggler worms.
- Best for: Apartments, condos, or homes with limited outdoor space; year-round composting in cold climates.
- Advantages: Works faster than traditional composting; produces nutrient-rich worm castings; odorless when maintained properly.
- Considerations: Requires more regular maintenance; limited capacity.
Bokashi Composting
A fermentation process that can handle a wider range of kitchen waste:
- Setup: An airtight bucket with a spigot and specialized bokashi bran (wheat bran inoculated with beneficial microorganisms).
- Best for: Small spaces; composting items that traditional methods can't handle (like meat and dairy).
- Process: Layers of food waste are sprinkled with bokashi bran and fermented anaerobically.
- Considerations: Requires burying the fermented material in soil to complete decomposition; produces liquid that must be drained regularly.
What Can You Compost?
Understanding what materials are compostable is essential for successful composting:
Green Materials (Nitrogen-Rich)
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea bags (remove staples)
- Fresh grass clippings
- Plant trimmings
- Eggshells (crushed)
Brown Materials (Carbon-Rich)
- Dry leaves
- Shredded newspaper and cardboard
- Paper egg cartons
- Toilet paper and paper towel rolls
- Wood chips and sawdust (untreated wood)
- Dried grass and plant materials
- Napkins and paper towels (unsoiled)
Avoid Composting
These items can cause odors, attract pests, or introduce harmful substances:
- Meat, fish, and poultry
- Dairy products
- Oils and fats
- Diseased plants
- Weeds with seed heads
- Pet waste
- Treated or painted wood
- Glossy or colored paper
Getting Started: Step-by-Step
- Choose your location: For outdoor composting, select a level, partially shaded spot with good drainage. For indoor methods, find a convenient location in your kitchen, balcony, or garage.
- Set up your system: Assemble your chosen composting bin or container according to manufacturer instructions or DIY plans.
- Create a base layer: For outdoor bins, start with a layer of brush or small twigs to improve airflow. For worm bins, prepare bedding with moistened shredded newspaper or cardboard.
- Begin adding materials: Add a balanced mix of green and brown materials. Aim for approximately 3 parts brown to 1 part green by volume.
- Maintain moisture and aeration: Your compost should be about as moist as a wrung-out sponge. Turn or mix outdoor compost every 1-2 weeks to provide oxygen.
Maintaining Your Compost
Successful composting requires some ongoing attention:
Balancing Green and Brown Materials
The right carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is crucial for efficient decomposition:
- Too much green material (nitrogen): Compost may become wet, compacted, and smelly. Add more browns to correct.
- Too much brown material (carbon): Decomposition slows down. Add more greens or a nitrogen booster like grass clippings.
Managing Moisture
- Too wet: Add dry brown materials and turn more frequently.
- Too dry: Sprinkle with water when turning.
- Ideal: Material should feel like a wrung-out sponge.
Turning the Pile
Regular aeration accelerates decomposition and prevents odors:
- Outdoor bins: Turn with a pitchfork or compost aerator every 1-2 weeks.
- Tumbling composters: Rotate according to manufacturer instructions.
- Worm bins: Gently fluff the top layers when adding new material.
Composting in Canadian Seasons
Our climate presents unique challenges and opportunities:
Summer Composting
- Decomposition happens fastest during warm months.
- Monitor moisture levels as piles can dry out quickly.
- Turn more frequently to prevent overheating.
Winter Composting
- Decomposition slows or halts during freezing temperatures.
- Continue adding materials; they'll start decomposing in spring.
- Insulate outdoor bins with straw bales or leaves to extend the composting season.
- Consider indoor methods like vermicomposting for year-round composting.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even experienced composters encounter issues. Here's how to address them:
Odor Issues
- Ammonia smell: Too much green material. Add browns and turn the pile.
- Rotten egg smell: Compaction or too much moisture. Add browns, turn thoroughly, and improve drainage.
Pest Problems
- Fruit flies: Cover fresh food scraps with brown material or bury them in the center of the pile.
- Rodents or larger animals: Use a secure bin with a lid, avoid composting meat/dairy, and turn regularly.
Slow Decomposition
- Cut materials into smaller pieces to increase surface area.
- Ensure proper moisture levels.
- Add more green materials if the pile is too carbon-heavy.
- Consider adding a compost accelerator (commercial or homemade).
When and How to Use Your Compost
Finished compost is dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell. Typically, outdoor compost takes 3-12 months to mature, while vermicompost can be ready in 2-3 months.
Uses for Finished Compost
- Garden soil amendment: Mix compost into garden beds before planting.
- Potting mix component: Blend 1 part compost with 3 parts commercial potting soil.
- Topdressing: Sprinkle around established plants.
- Lawn care: Apply a thin layer over grass to improve soil health.
- Compost tea: Steep compost in water to create a liquid fertilizer.
Conclusion
Composting is a journey that connects us to natural cycles while reducing our environmental impact. Don't be intimidated by the details—start simple and refine your process as you learn. Even imperfect composting yields benefits for your garden and the planet.
In Canada, where we generate millions of tonnes of organic waste annually, each home composter makes a meaningful difference. Whether you're working with a sprawling backyard or a tiny apartment, there's a composting solution that can work for you.
Start your composting adventure today, and turn what would have been waste into a valuable resource for your garden and our environment.