Gardening Composting: Turn Waste into Black Gold for Free

Composting transforms yard and kitchen waste into premium fertilizer—saving money, improving soil texture and water retention, and diverting waste from landfills. It's nature's recycling.

What to Compost

Mix "browns" (dead leaves, straw, wood chips) and "greens" (grass clippings, veggie scraps) roughly 25:1. Avoid toxic plants (black walnut, poison ivy/oak/sumac). Chop pine needles. Dry grass clippings to prevent souring. Most kitchen scraps work; meat/fat may smell and attract pests. Add wood ash, garden weeds, manure.

Start a Pile or Bin

Pick a spot or bin, layer materials, keep moist, turn occasionally. In months, you'll have rich compost for free—feeding your garden and the planet.