Beginner's Guide to Composting at Home

Composting is one of the most rewarding steps you can take toward sustainable living. By transforming kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment, you reduce landfill contributions while creating "black gold" for your garden. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start composting successfully in Australian conditions.

Why Composting Matters

Australian households generate approximately 7.6 million tonnes of food waste annually, with the majority ending up in landfill. When organic matter decomposes in landfill without oxygen, it produces methane—a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. By composting at home, you divert this waste from landfill and transform it into something beneficial for your garden.

Beyond the environmental benefits, composting saves money on fertilisers and soil conditioners. Quality compost improves soil structure, water retention, and microbial activity, leading to healthier plants and better harvests. For Australian gardeners dealing with often-poor native soils, compost is invaluable.

Choosing the Right Composting Method

There are several composting methods suitable for Australian homes, each with advantages depending on your space, time commitment, and volume of organic waste.

Traditional Compost Bins

The classic backyard compost bin is ideal for households with outdoor space. These bins typically hold 200-400 litres and work through aerobic decomposition. Materials break down over 3-6 months with regular turning. This method suits families generating moderate amounts of kitchen and garden waste.

Tumbler Composters

Tumbler composters feature a rotating drum that makes turning effortless. Simply spin the drum every few days to aerate the contents. Tumblers typically produce finished compost faster—often within 4-8 weeks—and are excellent for deterring pests since they're fully enclosed.

Worm Farms (Vermicomposting)

Worm farms use specialised composting worms to break down food scraps. They're compact, odourless when properly maintained, and perfect for apartments or homes without garden space. Worm farms produce both worm castings (excellent fertiliser) and liquid "worm tea" for plants.

Bokashi Bins

Bokashi is a fermentation method that can process all food waste, including meat and dairy. It's an indoor system using airtight buckets and specialised bran. The fermented waste is then buried in soil or added to a traditional compost to finish decomposing.

What to Compost: Greens and Browns

Successful composting requires balancing "green" (nitrogen-rich) and "brown" (carbon-rich) materials. Aim for approximately 3 parts brown to 1 part green by volume.

Green Materials (Nitrogen)

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds and tea leaves
• Fresh grass clippings
• Fresh plant trimmings
• Eggshells (crushed)
• Manure from herbivores (chickens, rabbits, horses)

Brown Materials (Carbon)

• Dry leaves
• Cardboard and paper (shredded)
• Straw and hay
• Wood chips and sawdust (untreated)
• Dried grass
• Newspaper (black and white, shredded)

Setting Up Your First Compost

Location matters for composting success. Choose a spot with partial shade—full sun in Australian summers can dry out the pile too quickly, while complete shade may keep it too wet. Ensure the location has good drainage and is convenient enough that you'll actually use it.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Prepare the base: Place your bin on bare soil if possible, which allows beneficial organisms to enter from below. If placing on concrete, add a layer of existing compost or soil.
2. Create a brown layer: Start with a 10-15cm layer of coarse brown materials like small sticks, straw, or dried leaves. This aids drainage and airflow.
3. Add your first greens: Add kitchen scraps in a thin layer, then cover with brown materials. Always bury food scraps under browns to prevent pests and odours.
4. Maintain moisture: Your compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge—damp but not dripping. In dry Australian conditions, you may need to water occasionally.
5. Turn regularly: Every 1-2 weeks, turn the pile with a garden fork to introduce oxygen. This speeds decomposition and prevents anaerobic conditions that cause odours.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even experienced composters encounter issues. Here's how to address the most common problems:

Smelly Compost

A healthy compost should smell earthy, not foul. Unpleasant odours usually indicate too much moisture or too many greens. Add more browns, turn the pile to introduce oxygen, and ensure adequate drainage.

Slow Decomposition

If your compost isn't breaking down, it may be too dry, lack nitrogen, or need more air. Add water if dry, incorporate more greens if needed, and turn more frequently. Chopping materials into smaller pieces also speeds the process.

Pest Attraction

Fruit flies and other pests are attracted to exposed food scraps. Always bury new additions under browns, and avoid adding meat or dairy. A well-maintained compost shouldn't attract rats or mice.

Using Your Finished Compost

Finished compost is dark, crumbly, and smells like earth. You shouldn't be able to identify the original materials. Use it to enrich garden beds, improve potting mix, top-dress lawns, or make compost tea for liquid fertilising. A little goes a long way—work 2-5cm into garden soil or use as mulch around plants.

Composting is a journey, not a destination. Your technique will improve with experience, and you'll develop a feel for what your pile needs. Start simple, learn as you go, and enjoy turning waste into one of gardening's most valuable resources.