How to Make Compost: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Making your own compost is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do in the garden. It turns everyday kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost that improves soil, feeds plants, and reduces waste going to landfill.
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⭐ Recommended Products — 🌿 Composting Essentials
Composting is one of the best ways to recycle kitchen scraps and garden waste into rich, fertile soil for your allotment or garden.
• Home Compost Bin (Tumbler or Static)
A garden compost bin for turning kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost.
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• Wormery / Bokashi Composter
An indoor or small-space composting option that speeds up breakdown using worms or fermentation.
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• Compost Aerator Tool
Makes turning and mixing compost easy, improving airflow and speeding up decomposition.
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• Compost Thermometer
Helps you monitor temperature to ensure your compost heap is working efficiently.
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• Compost Accelerator / Activator
A natural additive that boosts breakdown of waste and helps produce compost faster.
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This guide explains how to make compost at home, what to use, what to avoid, and how to get great results.
What Is Compost?
Compost is decomposed organic matter created when natural materials break down with the help of microorganisms, air, moisture, and time. Finished compost is dark, crumbly, and earthy smelling, and it’s used to improve soil health and plant growth.
What You Need to Make Compost
You can make compost using:
- A compost bin (plastic or wooden)
- A compost heap
- A compost tumbler
- A compost bay system
The simplest option is a compost heap or bin placed directly on soil, which allows worms and beneficial organisms to enter naturally.
Where to Put Your Compost
Choose a spot that is:
- On bare soil (not concrete)
- Well-drained
- Easy to access all year
- In partial sun if possible
Warmth helps speed up composting, but shade is fine too.
What to Put in Compost
Successful composting depends on balancing green and brown materials.
Green Materials (Nitrogen-Rich)
These help heat up the compost and speed decomposition:
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Grass clippings
- Coffee grounds and tea bags
- Fresh plant trimmings
- Annual weeds (without seeds)
Brown Materials (Carbon-Rich)
These add structure and airflow:
- Cardboard and paper (torn up)
- Dry leaves
- Straw or hay
- Egg boxes
- Wood chips or sawdust (small amounts)
Aim for roughly 50% greens and 50% browns.
What Not to Compost
Avoid adding:
- Meat or fish
- Dairy products
- Cooked food
- Oils and fats
- Diseased plants
- Pet waste
- Glossy paper or treated wood
These can cause smells, pests, or disease problems.
How to Make Compost Step by Step
- Start with a base layer
Add twigs, straw, or coarse material to improve airflow. - Add layers of greens and browns
Alternate between the two to keep the compost balanced. - Chop or tear materials
Smaller pieces break down faster. - Keep compost moist
It should feel like a damp sponge, not wet or dry. - Cover food waste
Always cover with brown material to prevent smells and flies. - Add waste little and often
Avoid dumping large amounts at once.
Do You Need to Turn Compost?
Turning compost is not essential, but it speeds things up.
- Turn every 2–4 weeks if possible
- Use a garden fork to mix outer material into the centre
- Turning adds oxygen and prevents smells
A turned compost heap can be ready in months rather than a year.
How Long Does Compost Take to Make?
- Actively managed compost: 3–6 months
- Untouched compost: 9–12 months or longer
Finished compost should be:
- Dark brown or black
- Crumbly and soil-like
- Earthy smelling
- Free from recognisable waste
Common Compost Problems and Fixes
Bad smell
Too many greens or too wet — add browns and turn.
Slow composting
Too dry or low nitrogen — add greens and water lightly.
Flies
Food waste exposed — cover with cardboard or straw.
Rats
Avoid cooked food and meat; bury waste well.
Most problems are easy to fix with small adjustments.
How to Use Finished Compost
Use compost to:
- Improve garden soil
- Mulch beds and borders
- Boost vegetable plots
- Improve moisture retention
- Mix into pots and containers
Compost works best mixed into soil or spread on the surface as mulch.
Is Homemade Compost Worth It?
Absolutely. Making compost:
- Reduces household waste
- Saves money on compost
- Improves soil naturally
- Encourages sustainable gardening
Once you start, it quickly becomes a natural gardening habit.
Final Thoughts
Making compost is simple, free, and incredibly beneficial for your garden. With the right balance of materials, a little moisture, and some patience, you’ll turn everyday waste into rich, natural compost that keeps your soil healthy and productive year after year.