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# Composting

Compost is the closest thing to free magic in gardening: kitchen scraps and garden waste turn into a dark, crumbly soil improver that feeds your plants and your soil for nothing. And it is far simpler than people think — nature does most of the work.

## Greens and browns

|  | Greens | Browns |
| ---- | ---- | ---- |
| Character | Fast, moist, nitrogen-rich | Dry, airy, carbon-rich |
| Materials | Veg peelings, grass clippings, green leaves, tea and coffee | Cardboard, dry leaves, straw, paper |

Aim for **roughly equal amounts of greens and browns**, and mix them as you add. Too many greens and it turns slimy and smelly; too many browns and it just sits there.

## What to leave out

- Meat, fish and dairy — they attract pests
- Diseased plants and perennial weeds — they can survive and spread
- Cooked or oily food
- Cat and dog waste

## How to do it

1. **Pick a spot** — a heap or a bin
2. **Layer** — greens and browns
3. **Keep moist** — like a wrung-out sponge
4. **Turn** — for air
5. **Wait** — let it rot
6. **Use** — when dark and crumbly

Start with a layer of browns for drainage, then add greens and browns as they come. Keep it as damp as a wrung-out sponge and turn it every few weeks to add air and speed things up.

It is ready when it is dark, crumbly and smells of earth. That takes **6 to 12 months**.

## What to do with it

Spread it as a mulch, fork it into beds to improve the soil, or mix a little into homemade potting blends. It is the natural partner to growing organic seed: a closed loop from kitchen to garden and back.

## Frequently asked questions

**Does compost smell?** A healthy heap smells earthy. A bad smell means too many greens or not enough air — add browns and turn it.

**How long does it take?** Usually 6 to 12 months. Turning often and chopping material small speeds it up.

**Can I compost in a small space?** Yes. A compact bin, a wormery or a bokashi bin works on a balcony or in a small yard.

**Do I need a special bin?** No. A simple heap works too; a bin just keeps it tidy and warm.

The full version of this guide is on [seedschoice.com](https://seedschoice.com/blogs/news/composting-for-beginners).
## For a healthy garden
* [Green manures for better soil](https://seedschoice.com/collections/annual-green-manures)
* [Organic green manures](https://seedschoice.com/collections/organic-green-manures)
* [Bee-friendly flowers](https://seedschoice.com/collections/bee-friendly-flowers)
* [Vegetables you can sow this month](https://seedschoice.com/collections/vegetables-sow-now)
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