Turn Fall Waste into Garden Gold: The Ultimate Composting Guide
As the fall season approaches, it's the perfect time to focus on enriching your garden soil—and composting is one of the most effective and sustainable ways to do just that. Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned green thumb, this guide will walk you through the essentials of composting, from setting it up to knowing when and where to use it for the best results. Plus, we’ll tie in how composting is especially beneficial during the fall planting season, when the soil needs an extra boost of nutrients.
With a background in sustainable agriculture and soil science from Texas A&M University, I’ve spent years studying how regenerate and improve soil health and structure. During my undergrad, I participated in collegiate soil judging, where I saw first-hand the culmination of years of composting on soil systems. As part of my research, I even 3D-scanned soils that had undergone a decade of conservation practices. The results were clear: if you feed your soil, it will feed you. Healthy soil is a living ecosystem, and composting is the natural way to build that ecosystem.
By composting this fall, you’re not just preparing your garden for winter; you’re setting up your soil for long-term health and productivity.
What Is Composting, and Why Is It Important?
Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter into rich, fertile soil called humus. This "black gold" is loaded with nutrients that your plants need to grow strong and healthy. Not only does composting reduce waste by repurposing kitchen scraps and yard waste, but it also improves a myriad of soil properties including: cation exchange, water holding capacity, structure, and as the organic content is increased - your soil can protect plants from overfeeding. All of these reduce the need for using fertilizers and other expensive solutions. Click here if you want to learn more about the benefits of composting!
How to Start Your Compost
1. The first step to effective composting is picking the right spot. Whether you use a compost bin, a tumbler, or simply create a compost pile in your yard, choose a well-drained area with some afternoon shade. We recommend a 2 part compost like the one pictured below.
2. Once you’ve picked a spot, start adding your ingredients. Composting works best with a balance of “greens” and “browns.” Greens, like fruit and vegetable scraps or coffee grounds, provide nitrogen, while browns, like dry leaves, newspaper, and twigs, provide carbon. Start by layering your browns first, followed by your greens, and repeat the process. Maintain a 30:1 ratio of Browns to Greens to have rapid decomposition!
3. Composting needs oxygen to work efficiently, so turning and aerating the pile every few weeks is essential. If you're using a bin, rotate it or stir it with a pitchfork to keep things moving. Ideally, your compost should be approaching 120 degrees when the decomposition kicks off. Additionally, make sure your compost stays moist; it should feel like a damp sponge. If it dries out, especially during hot or dry weather, give it a good watering to keep the decomposition process active.
4. Be patient. Composting can take anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the materials used and the size of your pile. I have had compost turned in 6 weeks before after tending it daily.
What Can You Compost?
Composting is incredibly versatile, but some materials work better than others. Here’s a quick rundown of what to include and what to avoid:
- Green Materials (Nitrogen): Vegetable scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, grass clippings, and plant trimmings. You can usually go to a local coffee roaster and get bags of coffee hulls for Free!
- Brown Materials (Carbon): Dry leaves, straw, paper, cardboard, and twigs.
- Used potting soil & dirt: A great way to re-vitalize old soil that has been drained of nutrients.
- Avoid: Meat, dairy, fats, and processed foods, as they can attract pests and cause odor issues.
The Importance of the 30:1 Ratio
Just like a balanced diet is important, the Carbon Nitrogen ratio determines the rate of decomposition within your pile. The optimal Carbon to Nitrogen ratio for composting is 30:1, according to the University of Nebraska . If you have too much nitrogen, your compost will turn into a slimy, smelly mess because the pile becomes too wet and breaks down anaerobically (without oxygen). This is how Histosol soils are formed in marshes and bogs. On the other hand, too much carbon slows down decomposition, resulting in a dry pile that can take much longer to break down.
Maintaining the correct 30:1 ratio ensures that your compost pile heats up quickly, promotes aerobic decomposition, and reduces foul odors, making the composting process faster and more efficient.
When and Where to Use Compost in Your Garden
Once your compost is ready, you can use it in various ways to support plant growth and soil health. Here’s how to make the most of it:
1. Before Planting: Mix compost into your garden soil or planting hole before the season. This helps prepare the soil, providing your plants with the nutrients they need to thrive throughout the growing season.
2. Mulching: Apply compost as a mulch around your plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually add nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. This is especially beneficial during the fall season, as cooler temperatures can slow the breakdown of organic material in the soil.
3. Top-Dressing for Lawns: Spread a thin layer of compost over your lawn in the fall to improve soil health. The added nutrients can help grass recover from summer stress and prepare for winter dormancy.
4. Container Gardening: Compost is also fantastic for container plants. Mix it into potting soil for an added nutrient boost, or use it as a top-dressing.
Why Composting Is Perfect for Fall
Fall is an ideal time to start composting because of the abundance of materials. Fallen leaves, garden trimmings, and kitchen scraps are readily available, making it easy to build up a robust compost pile. Additionally, by adding compost to your garden in the fall, you’re giving it time to break down and enrich the soil for spring planting. Fall composting also helps protect your garden from the effects of cold weather by improving the soil's ability to retain moisture and nutrients.
Compost also inactivates pathogens and converts them into basic nutrients within the soil due to the high temperatures within the pile. Compost also incorporates beneficial soil fauna, like mycorrhiza, earthworms, and nematodes that work in a beautiful relationship with all plants into your garden, these "good" microbes have an established tolerance to the heat. This is a key feature that is often overlooked with composting.
Conclusion
Composting is a simple yet powerful way to improve your garden’s health and sustainability. By turning everyday waste into valuable nutrients, you can create a more vibrant, productive garden while reducing your environmental impact. The best part about composting, it generates quality soil with adapted microbes for little to no cost. As fall approaches, take advantage of the season's natural materials to build your compost pile and set your garden up for success in the coming months. Happy composting!
If you’re ready to get started, gather your materials, choose a spot in your yard, and start layering. With a little patience and care, you’ll have rich, fertile compost ready for your fall planting season in no time!
Check out our links below if you want to learn more! We also have another blog that elaborates on how to use compost and other fertilizers in your garden- HERE!
References
- Texas A&M Agrilife Extension - How to Compost
- Cornell University, Science & Engineering - Compost Chemistry
- Browns Greens - Compost Basics Part 2
- United States EPA - Composting