Backyard Gardening Compost

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Here’s how to set up a backyard composting area so you can always have organic fertilizer ready to go. We’ll cover everything from the layers and how to alternate them, to heating tips and other handy tricks. Compost can be a game changer in a garden, especially if you have soil that is less than optimal for growing.

When learning how to start a backyard garden, it all starts with the best soil and compost can help you get there. With this skill mastered, you can grow a better garden year after year.

Alright, this one might hit home for my fellow midlife gardeners—remember that episode of Gilligan’s Island where a crate of vegetable garden seeds washes up on shore?

They’re so thrilled about the idea of fresh veggies that they plant them all without a second thought. And just like that, a few days later, they’ve got these massive, lush plants bursting with produce three times the normal size.

That scene always makes me think of the magic of compost in a garden. Compost—or as I like to call it, black gold—is the ultimate secret weapon for a thriving garden. And the best part? You can make it yourself for FREE!

About eight years ago, we were struggling to grow anything on our land. The soil was a disaster—mostly clay, with the pH completely out of whack.

I knew we had to fix the soil if we wanted anything to grow, so I dove into researching ways to turn things around.

The Magic of Compost

Compost works wonders for your soil by improving its structure and balancing its pH. If you’re dealing with clay soil, it helps break up those compacted particles, making it easier for water to drain and air to flow while boosting fertility. Plus, compost naturally balances pH, gently neutralizing soil that’s too acidic or alkaline, creating the perfect environment for your plants to thrive.

What is Compost?

Compost is basically decayed organic material that works as an amazing natural fertilizer. You’ll find it used everywhere—from flower gardens and veggie patches to full-scale crop fields.

The process is pretty simple: organic materials are layered, and with a little help from rain and warmth, nature gets to work breaking it all down. Worms, snails, and other helpful critters join the party, turning the pile into a rich, nutrient-packed soil booster.

Once it’s ready, you can mix it into your soil before planting or spread it around the base of your growing plants for a healthy, happy garden.

Understanding How Compost Works

The magic of composting lies in what you add and how you add it. By understanding the process, you can make composting work even better for you and your garden.

Compost Layers

Layers are key to successful composting because they create the perfect balance of materials needed to break down efficiently. Knowing what to include and how to alternate your layers ensures that your pile gets the right mix of greens, browns, moisture, and airflow, making it the first and most crucial step to mastering this rewarding process.

Compost layer materials:

• Cut grass
• Eggshells
• Coffee grounds
• Livestock manure (Important note: Don’t add manure directly to plants! It can introduce harmful organisms to your soil.)
• Produce scraps
• Wood ash (Keep this to a minimum and monitor your soil’s pH if you use it.)
• Soiled livestock bedding
• Old newspapers or paper feed sacks (No need to worry about ink; most are soy-based and safe for plants.)
• Old leaves
• Plant clippings (Avoid using weeds!)
• Pine needles
• Twigs, bark, and sawdust

SLCG Pro Tip: Avoid adding oils or fats to your compost pile. They won’t break down into anything useful and could attract animals or pests. A good rule of thumb? If it came from the garden, it can go back into the garden.

Almost anything organic can be turned into rich, nutritious compost. Start layering it up, and you’ll be on your way to creating black gold for your garden.

The Different Layers – Brown and Green

Composting is all about balance, and it starts with understanding the two main ingredients: green matter and brown matter.

Green matter is packed with nitrogen, giving your compost the protein it needs to fuel those hardworking composting organisms. Brown matter, on the other hand, is loaded with carbon, providing the energy that keeps the process going.

Think of it like a recipe – you need a good mix of both greens and browns to create the perfect compost. Get the balance right, and your compost bin will thrive.

Brown Compost Matter:

• Straw
• Paper products
• Leaves
• Pine needles
• Twigs, bark, sawdust
• Wood ash from wood only! And only use in sparing amounts.

Green Compost Matter:

• Coffee grounds/filters
• Kitchen scraps
• Grass
• Manure-do not use feces from pets or humans.
• Plant clippings-not weeds!
• Produce scraps
• Eggshells

What Not to Compost:

Be sure to never add these items to your compost area. They can attract unwanted pests, create unpleasant odors, or even contaminate your compost with harmful chemicals.

• Meat, cheese, processed foods. Anything that can get moldy.
• Milk, juice, pop
• Pet or human feces
• Weedy materials
• Diseased plants
• Ash from a charcoal barbecue
• Dairy products

Keeping Your Layers Balanced

To make composting work its magic, you’ll want to layer your green matter and brown matter in a way that keeps everything balanced. Don’t stress too much, though! It’s not an exact science, but aiming for somewhat even layers is a good rule of thumb.

For instance, if you pile on a lot of grass clippings, you’ll want to balance it out with something like manure-soiled straw or dry leaves. This mix helps create the right conditions for your compost to break down properly.

A Quick Note About Manure

Using manure in composting can be incredibly beneficial, but there’s one crucial point to remember: don’t apply fresh manure directly to your plants. The high nitrogen content can burn and damage them. Instead, add the manure to your compost pile and allow it to age before spreading it around your garden.

If you live in a colder region, there’s a useful workaround. You can spread fresh manure directly onto your garden soil in the fall. The snow and winter weather will help break it down and work it into the soil, leaving you with nutrient-rich, organic soil that’s ready for planting in the spring.

Water and Oxygen

Water and oxygen play an important role in composting. You can allow things to happen naturally, but I find it takes longer and I tend to be in a hurry most times.

Remember, compost is a living, breathing thing, so in order for it to be healthy, just like humans, you need to ensure there is enough water and air. Compost will decompose quicker when it’s wet. If you live in a dryer climate, you will want to water your pile routinely to keep it damp, with your goal being a pile that is 40-60% water.

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Setting up a Compost Area

Starting your own compost area is easier than you might think and comes with so many rewards. Not only does it help reduce waste, but it also gives you nutrient-rich compost to boost your garden’s soil and grow healthier plants. Whether you have sprawling acreage or just a small corner in your backyard, creating a compost area is a simple way to work with nature.

Step #1. Choose a Location

The location of your pile is probably the most important decision you will make. Take a walk around your garden and see what would be a good spot. When deciding there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. You want it close enough to your garden that using it is not a huge inconvenient chore.
2. If you have livestock, you will want it close enough to your barn to make adding to it easy.
3. If you plan to water down your compost routinely, be sure you are close to a water source. If not, you can incorporate a rain barrel nearby.
4. You want it far enough away from your house that the aromas do not overtake your Sunday dinners.

Step #2. Decide on Your Setup

Compost tumblers are an excellent option if you’re short on space or want a low-maintenance setup. These containers rotate to mix and aerate your compost automatically, reducing the need for manual turning.

Hourleey Compost Bin Outdoor, 43 Gallon Dual Chamber Tumbling Composting Bin with Sliding Doors, Tumbler Rotating Batch Composter Bin for Garden Kitchen YardMiracle-Gro Large Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler – Easy-Turn, Fast-Working System – All-Season, Heavy-Duty, High Volume Composter with 2 Sliding Doors – (2 – 27.7gallon /105 Liter)Maze RSI- 48 Gallon Geared Two Compartment Compost Tumbler and Cart

 

DIY Pallet Compost Bin

Pallets are a great way to quickly setup a compost area near to your garden. They are so simple you can make a few around your homestead area giving a neater look to your compost piles.

To make a compost bin, all you need is a container of any size with 3 or 4 walls.

1. Use three wooden pallets that are in fair to good condition. If you see any loose boards, you can add a few nails to tighten things up.
2. Attach them together with nails or l-brackets to form a U shape.
3. Pound heavy-duty garden stakes into the ground and attach the pallets to the stakes. You can do this with wire or zip ties.
4. Put a plank board in front to hold the compost in place. You can add on more boards as your compost gets higher.

SLCG PRO TIP: It’s important to ensure your compost pile has enough air. Use a pitchfork to lightly “mix” things every few days or weeks to prevent them from compacting tight. The more air there is, the quicker things compost.

You can see how to build a compost bin at Thisoldhouse.com if you want exact directions. But there is no magical science here. As long as your compost can “breathe,” is kept relatively damp, and you add the correct ingredients in the correct order, you will be fine. This is why pallets work so well for this. The slats in the wood allow for great airflow. 

A Simple Pile

On our homestead, we’ve got plenty of manure, so I’ve switched to using a simple compost pile out behind the barn. It’s as basic as it gets—no walls, bins, or structures. Just a bare spot where we pile up the compost materials and let nature do its thing.

I’ll admit, it’s not the neatest or most organized option, but it’s incredibly effective and easy to maintain. Plus, it’s a great setup if you’ve got a large garden and need lots of compost throughout the growing season. You can just keep adding to the pile whenever you need and grab some rich compost when it’s ready.

Our chickens also lend a hand (or a claw, really) by scratching around and mixing the layers for us. It’s been a low-maintenance, high-reward system that’s worked beautifully for us over the years.

Benefits of Composting

Composting has been around for centuries, and it’s a fantastic project for gardens of all sizes. Here’s why it’s worth doing:

1. Rich Organic Matter – Compost is loaded with organic matter that feeds the tiny microorganisms and macro-organisms your soil needs to stay healthy. These “little helpers” are essential for a thriving garden.
2. Nutrient-Packed – Think of compost as a natural nutrient booster, filling your soil with everything plants need to grow strong and healthy.
3. Improves Soil Structure – Got clay soil? Compost helps with drainage and aeration. Dealing with sandy soil? It helps hold on to moisture so your plants can flourish.
4. Worm Magnet – Compost attracts earthworms, and trust me, these garden MVPs are great at keeping your soil in top shape.
5. Slow and Steady Nutrient Release – Compost releases nutrients over time, giving you longer-lasting results compared to synthetic fertilizers.
6. Natural Disease Fighter – It even helps protect your garden from soil-borne diseases and pests that can wreak havoc on your plants.

If you’re just starting out and need a little compost, you can always buy some from your local garden center (though it can be pricey!). But if gardening is a long-term commitment for you, having your own compost pile is a smart and cost-effective choice.

FAQ: Composting Tips

How do you know if your compost needs water?

Grab a handful of compost and give it a squeeze—it should feel like a damp sponge. If it’s too dry, spray it with water until it’s just right. Keeping your compost moist is key to keeping the organisms inside happy and productive. They’re the ones breaking everything down.

To keep things moving, aerate your pile weekly with a pitchfork to prevent it from getting compacted, which limits oxygen and slows the process. During dry weather, especially in summer, give it a good soak with a garden hose to maintain the right moisture level.

Why does compost need air?

Air is essential for fast-acting aerobic bacteria, which need oxygen to break things down efficiently. If your compost gets compacted, slower anaerobic bacteria take over, and the process slows down. While this isn’t a huge problem, it can be frustrating if you’re eager to use your compost.

To encourage airflow, shred larger items like branches, stems, and leaves before adding them to your pile. This helps jump-start the breakdown process and keeps everything moving along smoothly.

How do you use backyard compost?

Spring is the perfect time to put your finished compost to work. Spread it over your garden beds and mix it into the soil with a rototiller. If you have backyard chickens, they can help with this chore.

Set up a temporary fence to keep them in the garden area, and they’ll scratch through the compost piles, spreading and breaking up clumps. They’re surprisingly efficient at creating a workable layer that’s easy to spread.

Throughout the summer, you can also use compost as mulch by adding it around the base of your plants. Just be careful not to overdo it—testing your soil’s pH is a good idea to make sure you’re not adding too much.

SLCG Pro Tip: Compost isn’t a complete fertilizer, so you’ll still need to add any missing nutrients to your soil. Regularly test your soil to monitor its health and nutrient levels.

Natural organic gardening is, in my opinion, the best way to grow food for your family. Sure, there is a bit more work involved, but in a world full of chemicals, why not do what we can to use natural products? Expensive fertilizers are unnecessary if you have access to organic compost.

If you are unsure that composting is right for you, start out small and take it for a test drive. I promise you it is easier than you think. Building a backyard gardening compost setup is a great investment of your time and will help you grow as a gardener for years to come.

More Gardening Resources:

• What is the Best Vegetable Garden Size?
• How to Have a Successful Garden
• 10 Tips for Beginner Gardeners