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
- Pick a spot — a heap or a bin
- Layer — greens and browns
- Keep moist — like a wrung-out sponge
- Turn — for air
- Wait — let it rot
- 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.
For a healthy garden
- Green manures for better soil
- Organic green manures
- Bee-friendly flowers
- Vegetables you can sow this month
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Updated on: 05/10/2026
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