As we continue to power through a seemingly endless quarantine, many are turning to outdoor activities as a way to find peace through nature. One of the easiest and most convenient outdoor activities that can also help spruce up your property is composting. Recycling organic material into strong fertilizer is a great way to nourish your garden and avoid unnecessary waste.

What is compost?

In order to get started on your at-home compost project, the first step is to understand exactly what compost is and why it’s important.

Compost is organic matter that has naturally decomposed into nutrient-rich top soil. This natural fertilizer can make our yards and gardens grow big and strong. Composting is the process of speeding up the natural decomposition process from months or years to just weeks by combining green and brown ingredients (more on that later) into a pile and aerating it regularly.

Beyond just being good for our yards and gardens, compost actually reverses the effects of global warming. By sending scraps to compost instead of landfills, less harmful CO2 gas is released into the atmosphere and more oxygen is released — meaning your at-home compost pile is helping to fight climate change.

Materials to compost (and which to skip)

But how do you know which items to compost? Not every kitchen scrap is good for a compost pile, and some can even slow the decomposition process, so it’s important to understand how to compost before starting your own pile.

Experts typically separate compostable materials into two categories: browns and greens. “Browns” refer to carbon-rich matter like eggs, newspaper shreds, and dead leaves. “Greens” are more nitrogen-rich items, such as fruits, veggies, and coffee grounds. Avoid fattier materials like meat, dairy, and oils, as they can actually poison your compost.

Here’s a list of brown and green ingredients you can compost:

Browns:

Eggshells
Shredded newspaper
Dead leaves
Branches and twigs

Greens:

Fruits
Vegetables
Tea and coffee, including tea leaves, coffee grounds, and filters
Old flowers

Check out this free kitchen printable for help in separating materials that can and can’t be composted.

How to Create Your Compost Pile

Once you accumulate enough organic matter, find a shady spot in your backyard, community garden, or another outdoor area to assemble your compost pile. Layer your organic material, alternating between thick layers of browns and smaller layers of greens. Add nutrient-rich topsoil and water between each layer to keep your compost healthy and strong.

Your pile will take about two to four months to maintain before it is usable. Make sure you’re aerating your compost with a shovel once or twice a week and watering it regularly.

Once ample time has passed, check that your compost has:

A natural, earthy smell
No large scraps of organic matter
A crumbly texture

If your compost passes the test, you’re ready to feed your plants and make your home even more beautiful! For more tips for setting up your compost pile, check out our infographic below.