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How to Compost at Home | Step by Step Guide for Beginners

Someone putting scraps in the compost bin

As the subject of sustainability gains popularity across Canada, more Canadians are learning how to compost at home.

Working with as many plants as we do, we’ve come to recognize that the composting process at home doesn’t need to be stressful. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that there are plenty of compostable materials growing in your garden.

Here, we’ll discuss some home composting tips and explain how to make compost soil at home.

At Home Composting Made Easy

Composting is the simple process of turning biodegradable matter into nutrient-rich food for your plants. Whether you’re learning how to make compost from kitchen waste or garden clippings, the result is the same – nourished plants.

When starting to compost, the most important rules to follow are:

  1. Rotate compostable materials, adding kitchen waste one day and yard waste the next, etc.
  2. Mix compost once a week to stir the bottom layer into the new ones. This helps it break down more quickly and reduces the smell.
  3. Compost should remain about the consistency of a damp sponge. If it’s too wet, add dry material and vice versa.
  4. When your compost is ready to use, it will be dark in colour and crumbly inconsistency.

Have questions about at-home composting? Contact our team today!

List of Compostable Items You Might Find at Home

Learning how to compost at home isn’t as complex as one might think. Once you can answer the question, “How does composting work?”, all you need are the compostable materials.

In Ontario, the list of compostable items includes:

  • Bread and baked treats
  • Nuts and shells
  • Teabags
  • Paper takeout trays and plates
  • Paper bags
  • Pasta
  • Rice
  • Flour
  • Paper towels, tissue, and napkins (unless contaminated with chemicals)
  • Coffee grounds
  • Cereal
  • Vegetables (including peels, husks, and seeds)
  • Soil
  • Flowers and plants
  • Meat, fish, and poultry (including bones)
  • Other non-toxic biodegradable items

As you use these products naturally throughout your daily life, simply toss your compost in a tumbler or green bin. Store the bin away from your home to detract pests from getting curious about your house.

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Make DIY Compost Tea at Home

With a basic recipe for DIY compost, you can begin experimenting with different ways to use the composted matter, such as compost tea.

According to the Compost Council of Canada, compost tea can be made by following these steps:

  1. Scoop compost into a tight mesh or cloth bag.
  2. Fill a bucket or barrel with water (5-parts water for every 1-part compost).
  3. Place compost sachet into the water.
  4. Steep compost sachet for 1-week.
  5. Remove sachet, disposing of compost back into your composter.
  6. Use water to nourish your garden and lawn.

Learning how to compost at home is a great way to promote sustainable living right here in Ontario. Join the movement and have some fun experimenting with new ways to use your compost matter.

Contact MPS Property Services

Interested in learning more about our residential landscaping services and how we can help you create a more sustainable landscape design? We invite you to give us a call today.