Composting - the Beginners Guide!

Tammy Johnson
May 17, 2025
5 min read

Updated: Feb 14

Post and rail enclosed backyard compost pile. — Backyard enclosed compost pile.

Thinking about starting a compost pile but not sure where to begin? You’re in the right place! Composting is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to turn kitchen scraps and garden waste into rich, nutrient-packed soil food. Whether you’ve got a sprawling backyard or a tiny balcony, composting is totally doable and surprisingly fun. In this beginners guide I’ll break it all down step-by-step so you can start transforming your kitchen and garden waste into garden gold.

But first let’s quickly look at the benefits of composting

The Environmental Benefits of Composting

Composting goes beyond just creating rich, nutrient-dense soil.

Waste Reduction: When you compost garden waste and food scraps, you stop it from going to landfill where it would rot without air and create methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Methane is the nasty stuff we don't want to be producing as it's bad for our planet. It traps in way more heat than carbon dioxide. So, by composting, you're cutting down on harmful emissions and shrinking your carbon footprint. That’s definitely something to feel good about!
Soil Enrichment: Composting breaks down organic waste, like food scraps, leaves, and grass clippings, into a dark, rich material called humus. Humus is full of nutrients that help feed your plants. When added to soil, it improves the soil’s structure, helps it retain moisture, and supports healthy microbial life. In short, humus makes your soil healthier, more fertile, and better able to support strong, thriving plants.
Biodiversity Boost: Mature compost contains a diverse community of beneficial microorganisms, fungi, and earthworms that enhance your soils ecosystem. This biodiversity doesn’t just support plant growth, but it also builds resilience in your plants against pests and diseases.
Reduction in Chemical Use: When you feed your garden with rich, homemade compost, you’re giving it all the nutrients it needs, naturally. Over time, this reduces or better still, eliminates the need for synthetic fertilisers and chemical sprays which is ultimately better for your veggies, better for the bees, and just better all round!
Plus, relying too heavily on synthetic fertilisers can actually throw your soil’s pH out of balance, often leading to increased acidity, just another reason to stick with the good stuff, compost and organic matter.
Water Conservation: Compost improves soil’s ability to retain moisture, reducing how often you need to be out there turning a tap on. This in itself is particularly important as regions like ours face more frequent droughts. Gardens regularly and generously top dressed with good compost can realistically cut watering needs in half.

So there’s 5 very good reasons you should be busting at the seams. Now to get stuck into building a compost, so let’s do it!

Setting Up Your Composting System: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Choose a Compost Bin

Start by selecting the type of compost bin that works best for you. Options include:

Open Pile: Ideal for larger spaces and natural decomposition. It can handle larger quantities but may attract pests if not managed carefully.
Bin: A simple and tidy choice for small gardens or patios. Many designs are aesthetically pleasing and keep odours at bay.
Tumbler: An enclosed composter is great for aeration and speed, it allows for easy mixing and quick results, though they can be a tad more expensive. Check out this one below 👇😁
https://www.mitre10.com.au/greendew-tumbling-composter-60l-7477573

Step 2: Select a Location

Pick a dry, shaded area with good drainage in your garden. A location close to your kitchen is ideal for easy access to add scraps, particularly if you’ve chosen to go with a smaller more mobile option like a bin or tumbler .

Step 3: Gather Materials

Collect a mix of “greens” (nitrogen-rich materials) and “browns” (carbon-rich materials).

Greens: Fresh vegetable scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, and freshly cut grass clippings.
Browns: Dead Autumn leaves (preferably 2-3 bags), straw, shredded newspaper, and cardboard pieces. ( not the waxy coated cardboard).

Step 4: Layering Your Compost

Begin by adding a layer of browns, followed by a layer of greens. Alternate layers until your bin or pile is full. THE GOLDEN RULE Aim for a “1:3 ratio”, one-part green materials to three parts brown materials, as this achieves optimal decomposition. ( so for example 1kg of greens to 3kg of browns)

TIP**Using the 1:3 ratio of greens to browns in composting is really important because it keeps the process balanced. “Greens” add nitrogen, while “browns” add carbon. Too many greens and your compost can turn slimy and smelly. Too many browns, and it breaks down too slowly. A good mix helps your pile heat up, break down faster.

Step 5: Maintain Your Compost

Turn the pile every few weeks to introduce air and speed up the decomposition process. If your compost looks dry, lightly spritz it with water; it should feel moist, like a damp sponge.

Step 6: Harvest Your Compost

In about 3 to 6 months, your compost will be ready! It should have a crumbly texture and earthy smell. Remove any large, undecomposed pieces.

Tips for Using Compost Effectively in Your Garden

Once you've created your own homemade compost, it’s time to maximise your garden's productivity. Here’s what you can do with it.

1. Soil Amendment

Before planting, add compost into your garden beds to enhance soil texture and nutrients.

It’s important to mix the compost into your existing soil rather than using compost alone. Doing it this way creates a consistent environment, so young plant roots don’t struggle with a sudden change in texture, moisture, or nutrients as they grow outwards, which in turn will help your plants to settle in easily.

2. Mulching

Utilise your compost as a mulch. Spread a generous layer around your gardens to help suppress weeds and retain moisture. Not only will it help keep the weeds at bay and the moisture in, but it will continue to feed your plants and soil as it breaks down further.

3. Compost Tea

Create a nutrient-rich "compost tea" ( home made liquid fertiliser) by steeping your compost in water for 2-3 days. This liquid fertiliser can be used to water your plants or sprayed directly on leaves for an extra nutrient kick.

4. Top-Dressing Established Plants

Apply a thin layer of compost around established plants for a slow release of nutrients throughout the growing season. This keeps plants robust and thriving, leading to increased yields, and continual blooms.

5. Monitor Plant Health

Pay attention to your plants for signs of nutrient deficiency or excess. Adjust the compost quantity you use based on what your garden needs.

Healthy young vegetable seedlings in raised beds — Healthy Thriving Vegetable Seedlings

Composting is more than a sustainable practice; it's a rewarding way to elevate your gardening experience. By recycling waste, enriching your soil, and fostering biodiversity, you’ll contribute to a healthier environment while enhancing the health of your plants and garden.

Happy composting!😘🪴

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