Set yourself up for success by making your compost bin easy to use and simple to maintain.
How to Start a Compost Bin
Updated on Jan. 31, 2025
Because I have a small garden, composting for me is equally about keeping waste out of the landfill as it is helping my plants thrive. While some people get super involved in balancing out pH and nutrients, I just try to keep my bin uncomplicated enough that I use it regularly.
While I’ve started many compost piles, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve only reaped the rewards of a few. That’s partly because I tend to relocate faster than it takes to turn kitchen scraps into compost. But it’s also because, early on, I didn’t know how to set up my compost bins correctly.
Here’s what I know now, and I wish I knew when I started composting; along with a few tips from plant expert, Caleb Young.
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Compost Bins Size and Shape
When learning how to start a compost pile, it seems logical to just make a box and drop scraps into it. But compost piles must be turned regularly, and it’s hard to churn things up evenly in the confines of a box.
A heap with no walls, or a box with one open side, makes it a lot easier and therefore more likely you’ll actually turn it. You can DIY your own compost bin or buy one. Either way, make the box larger than you think you need. And make two of them, so one can fully decompose while you’re filling the other.
Compost Starter
Once you’ve decided on the size and shape of your compost pile, what’s the best way to get it started?
“When starting a composting system, the key materials to use as a starter include nitrogen-rich sources like grass clippings, vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds, paired with carbon-dense materials like dry leaves, shredded newspaper, and small branches,” says Young. “These components work in tandem to create a balanced mixture that supports microbial activity, accelerating decomposition.”
Water and Heat
Creatures break down organic materials into compost. All those microorganisms, bacteria, insects and worms need a comfortable home to do their job.
So generally, composting materials should be between 40 and 60 percent water. Too much and you’ll cut off their air supply. Too little and composting will be slow.
If your pile lacks heat, it may be too dry. If it’s slimy and stinky, it’s too wet. If you live in a dry climate, you’ll need to water. If you live in a wet one, you might need to cover it or install chicken wire sides to help it drain.
Things That Don’t Break Down in Compost Bins
When your pile is nearly composted, you’ll always find a few annoying pieces that haven’t. Avocado pits, branches, cloth. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put them in. But it helps to chop them up into smaller bits first so they’re more likely to break down.
Except for avocado pits. I’m not sure how you go about chopping those up, so maybe it’s best to plant them in water and try to grow more avocado trees.
Too Much of One Thing
Compost piles thrive on variety, so avoid large lumps of grass clippings, leaves, straw or sawdust. Instead, add amounts slowly, mixed with one another plus food scraps.
Harmful Ingredients
Our world is pretty toxic these days, in ways we often don’t realize. For one, a lot of our clothing is plastic. Not only should that not go in the compost pile, but probably neither should our dryer lint and vacuum debris, which contain microplastics. Some tea bags even contain plastic.
Now that you know, it’s probably time to do your health the same favor as your compost pile — seek out non-synthetic brands for steeping your beverages.
Other ingredients to keep out of your pile include grass clippings and weeds that might have weed killer or pesticides on them. Same with carnivore feces from dogs, cats and humans, which can harbor parasites and dangerous bacteria.
“Certain items must be strictly avoided to maintain efficiency and hygiene in your compost pile,” says Young. “Meat, dairy products, greasy foods, and materials treated with chemicals disrupt the process, attract pests, and introduce contaminants that hinder the natural breakdown of organic matter.”
Weeds, Animals and Insects
Chances are your compost pile won’t get hot enough to sterilize seeds. So what goes in may very well end up as a volunteer plant in your garden. That’s fun if it’s tomatoes or peppers, not so much if it’s weeds.
Seeds can come from weeds you put into the pile, or manure from cows. If you pull up weeds that are seeding, you can still put them in the compost. Just remove and discard the seeds first.
Some food-scrap additions can also be annoying because of the insects and animals they attract. If you’re prone to unwanted visitors, install the pile a good distance from your house, turn it daily and regularly add wood chips or sawdust on top. Also cover new food scraps with cardboard or straw.
FAQs
When is the best time of year to start a compost bin?
According to The Morton Arboretum (an internationally recognized botanical garden and research center), “Autumn, when many fallen leaves are available, is a handy time to start a compost pile, although it can be done any time of year.” Just keep in mind in cooler weather, decomposition is slower.
Can I add something to speed up composting?
Nitrogen is the key ingredient for rapid decomposition. The Morton Arboretum recommends adding cottonseed meal or dried blood to provide extra nitrogen.
You can also accelerate the composting process with proper mixing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says “turning and mixing your pile from time to time will help speed up the decomposition process and aerate the pile. Use a garden fork to turn the outside of the pile inward.”
About the Expert
Caleb Young is the owner and founder of Rare Indoor Plants. After studying Botany and Interior Design at the University of Otago in New Zealand, Caleb worked for a Botanist for several years where he developed a passion for flowers and plants. Since 2020, Rare Indoor Plants has been offering unique, high-quality plants conveniently shipped straight to customers.
