Composting is a simple and effective way to transform your kitchen waste and garden scraps into nutrient-rich compost for your plants. Whether you’re improving your garden, reducing composting waste, or creating a more sustainable household, composting is a fantastic solution. By composting kitchen waste, leaves, and even composting tea bags, you can save money, reduce environmental impact, and create healthier soil for your garden.
This guide will walk you through the benefits of composting, practical steps for getting started, and tips tailored for composting in Ireland, so you can make the most of this eco-friendly practice.
Benefits of Composting at Home
The benefits of composting at home are something we simply can’t afford to miss out on. Diverting kitchen waste from landfills is the right way to do waste reduction. It also works wonders to replenish nutrients for your garden soil, improving soil health in the process.
1. Reduces Landfill Waste
Municipal waste is one of the largest sources of waste in landfills, accumulating almost 3.2 million tonnes in 2020 alone, 16% was landfilled of the 3.2 million tonnes. Despite being mostly organic, household wastes like vegetable and fruit scraps do not break down quickly in landfills due to the extremely low oxygen levels. Because of this, the accumulated organic waste may release methane gas, which can harm the environment. Composting at home can reduce that figure, minimising the environmental impact of overflowing landfills. In return, homeowners can divert the kitchen and garden waste into something more practical for their yards, like enhancing soil biodiversity, for example.
2. Improves Soil & Garden Health
Organic waste that turns into compost contains nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and a variety of micronutrients necessary for healthy plant growth. This strong nutritional content has many benefits for your garden. If you compost, your plants and trees will thank you later!
3. Enhances Water Retention
One of the lesser-known benefits of compost is its ability to improve water retention in soil. Compost acts like a sponge, helping your garden soil hold onto moisture longer. This is especially beneficial during dry spells, as it reduces the need for frequent watering.
By improving water retention, composting helps plants grow in healthier, well-hydrated soil while lowering your water usage—great for both your garden and the environment.
4. Cuts Down on Chemical Fertilisers
Chemical fertilisers might deliver quick results, but they can damage the environment in the long term by contaminating water sources and degrading soil health. Composting offers a natural alternative, supplying your soil with the same essential nutrients without the harmful side effects.
With a steady supply of homemade compost for garden use, you can reduce or eliminate the need for synthetic fertilisers, keeping your garden healthier and more sustainable.
5. Promotes Sustainability
Composting embodies the principles of a circular economy, turning waste into a resource that benefits both your garden and the planet. By composting kitchen waste, garden scraps, and even items like biodegradable composting tea bags, you actively contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
Every step you take in composting at home reduces waste, cuts emissions, and nourishes the earth, making sustainability an achievable goal for households everywhere.
How to Compost for Beginners
In a nutshell, a compost pile consists of four ingredients: nitrogen, carbon, air, and water. Nitrogen can be found in "green" or nitrogen-rich materials, while carbon comes from "brown" or carbon-rich materials. Achieving a balanced mix of these components, along with proper aeration and moisture, creates the decomposition process and results in nutrient-rich compost.
Step 1: Choose the Best Location for Home Composting
Finding the ideal spot for your compost bin is crucial. It should be: Conveniently located, ideally near your kitchen for easy disposal of kitchen waste like fruit and vegetable scraps. Well-drained to prevent waterlogging. Partially sunny to aid the decomposition process. Avoid areas under trees, next to wooden structures, or beneath eaves where excess moisture might interfere.
Once you’ve chosen your spot, set up your compost bin. Options include DIY wooden pallet structures, wire fences, or compost garden bags—perfect for smaller spaces or composting in Ireland’s rainy climate. Ensure your bin has a sturdy lid to keep pests out.
Step 2: Lay Your Home Compost Pile
Creating a balanced compost pile starts with layering. Begin with a base of carbon-rich browns like dry leaves, straw, or small twigs. These materials provide aeration, helping airflow through the pile. Cardboard and shredded newspaper can also be excellent carbon sources—great for leaf composting or adding variety.
Next, layer nitrogen-rich greens such as kitchen waste like vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, and even composting tea bags. Add a small layer of soil to introduce beneficial microorganisms that aid decomposition. Alternate between layers of greens and browns to maintain a balance.
Step 3: Add an Additional Layer of Kitchen Scraps
Keep your compost pile thriving by regularly adding green waste, such as fruit peels, grass clippings, and fresh plant trimmings. Remember, greens provide nitrogen, essential for decomposition.
For best results, chop or shred materials like fruit peels and twigs before adding them to the pile—this speeds up the process. If you’re exploring cat litter composting, only use biodegradable litter that’s free from synthetic chemicals.
Step 4: Manage Moisture & Air
To create high-quality compost for garden use, managing moisture and airflow is key. Your compost pile should feel like a damp sponge—not too wet or too dry. Excess moisture can drown microorganisms, while dryness slows decomposition. Regularly check the pile’s consistency, especially during wet or dry weather.
Aeration is also crucial. Turn your compost weekly with a pitchfork or aerator to ensure even decomposition. This step is particularly important for those composting in Ireland, where high humidity can compact the pile.
Step 5: Utilise Your Compost in the Garden
When your compost is dark, crumbly, and has a pleasant earthy smell, it’s ready to work wonders in your garden.
For Established Plants: Use compost as a natural mulch. Spread a 1–3 cm layer around the base of plants to retain soil moisture, block weeds, and slowly release nutrients.
For New Plantings: Dig a slightly deeper hole, add a 7–10 cm layer of compost, and mix it with the surrounding soil. This enriched base gives new plants a strong start.
If you’re gardening in pots or smaller spaces, incorporate your compost into a potting mix for healthier container plants. Compost improves soil structure, enhances water retention, and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers, making it the ideal addition to any garden project.
What Goes Into Compost Bins?
Below, we will break down what’s considered green, brown, and no-no (as in things to avoid) materials.
Green (Nitrogen-rich) | Brown (Carbon-rich) | No-no (Avoid) |
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Green materials supply essential nutrients to your compost, while brown materials provide carbon, helping to improve airflow and maintain the pile’s structure. Getting the balance right between greens and browns is key to successful composting. If your compost starts to smell unpleasant or feels too wet, it’s a sign you need to add more browns, like dry leaves or shredded cardboard, to absorb the moisture.
If the pile looks too dry and decomposition seems slow, mix in more greens, such as vegetable scraps or grass clippings, and a small amount of water to moisten it. It’s also important to not add materials in the avoid section, as they don’t break down easily and can attract pests, creating unnecessary problems for your compost.
Composting For A Greener Tomorrow
At KeyGreen, we’re dedicated to providing quality waste removal services that contribute to a better future. Composting is a fantastic way to reduce waste and turn your food scraps and organics into useful material at home.
Get in touch with us today for more information about waste management services