Composting Fundamentals — FarmPal

Select between a simple pile, enclosed bin, tumbler, or vermicomposting (worms). Beginners often do well with a simple three-sided bin.

• 💡 Start small you can always expand
• 💡 Consider aesthetics if visible to neighbors
• 💡 Tumblers are easier to turn but smaller capacity

Layer brown (carbon-rich) materials like dried leaves, straw, and cardboard with green (nitrogen-rich) materials like kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and coffee grounds.

• 💡 Aim for 3:1 brown to green ratio by volume
• 💡 Chop materials into smaller pieces for faster decomposition
• 💡 Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods in basic composting

Compost should be as moist as a wrung-out sponge. Too dry and decomposition stops; too wet and it becomes anaerobic and smelly.

• 💡 Cover pile during heavy rain
• 💡 Add water during dry spells
• 💡 Brown materials absorb excess moisture

Turn or mix your pile every 1-2 weeks to add oxygen and speed decomposition. Hot composting (frequent turning) can yield finished compost in 1-3 months.

• 💡 No-turn cold composting works too, just takes 6-12 months
• 💡 Hot piles should reach 130-160°F in the center
• 💡 Turn when pile cools down or smells ammonia-like

Finished compost is dark brown, crumbly, and smells earthy. Screen out large pieces and return them to the active pile.

• 💡 Use as top dressing, mix into garden beds, or make compost tea
• 💡 Store extra in covered bins or bags
• 💡 Start a new pile while one is finishing