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1 Step 1: Pick a composting system
Step 1: Pick a composting system
Outdoor bin/pile for yards. Worm bin (vermicompost) for apartments. Tumbler for tidy yards. Open pile for big gardens.
FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbler
Two chambers — one cooking, one filling. Turn weekly. ~$90.
Geobin (cheapest open bin)
Roll of plastic mesh forms a 4-ft cylinder. Compost in place. ~$50.
Worm Factory 360 (apartment/indoor)
Worm-based composting (vermicompost). Indoor-friendly, no smell. ~$120.
Open pile (no bin needed)
Just heap it. Works for big yards far from the house. Free.
2 Step 2: Mix greens and browns 50/50
Step 2: Mix greens and browns 50/50
Greens (nitrogen): food scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds, fresh weeds. Browns (carbon): leaves, cardboard, sawdust, straw. Too much green = smelly. Too much brown = doesn't break down.
Greens: kitchen scraps, grass, coffee grounds
No meat, dairy, or oils — they attract pests and smell.
Browns: dry leaves, shredded cardboard, sawdust
Pile up extra in fall when leaves fall. Use through the year.
Avoid: meat, dairy, pet waste, weed seeds
Meat and dairy attract pests. Pet waste contains pathogens. Mature weed seeds will resprout.
3 Step 3: Keep a kitchen scrap container
Step 3: Keep a kitchen scrap container
A small countertop container makes daily collection easy. Empty into outdoor compost every 2-3 days. Charcoal-filtered lids prevent smell.
OXO Good Grips Compost Bin (1.75 gal)
Charcoal filter on lid. Stays smell-free 5+ days. ~$30.
Stainless Steel Compost Pail with Liners
Looks nicer on the counter. Replaceable carbon filters. ~$25.
Plastic container with lid (DIY)
Any sealed plastic container works. Free.
4 Step 4: Turn or mix monthly (aeration)
Step 4: Turn or mix monthly (aeration)
Composting needs oxygen. Tumblers: just spin. Bins/piles: turn with a pitchfork or compost aerator. Mixed compost cooks 2-3× faster than unmixed.
Compost aerator (corkscrew tool)
Twist into pile, pull up — turns the layers. Easier than a pitchfork. ~$25.
Tumbler: spin 3-5x weekly
Easiest method. No turning needed beyond the spin.
5 Step 5: Harvest finished compost (3-6 months)
Step 5: Harvest finished compost (3-6 months)
Done compost looks dark, crumbly, and smells earthy. No recognizable food scraps. Sift through a 1/2" screen if you want fine compost; chunky stuff goes back in the pile.
Screen finished compost (optional)
1/2" hardware cloth on a frame. Big bits go back in pile, fine compost goes to garden.
Use as soil amendment in vegetable beds
Mix 2-4 inches into the top 6" of soil before planting.
Use as mulch around trees and shrubs
1-2 inch layer suppresses weeds, holds moisture, feeds the soil.
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